EASTERSEALS CENTRAL ILLINOIS·Germantown Hills, Illinois
The Teaching Assistant supports teachers in providing specialized instruction and educational programs for students with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. They are responsible for documenting student progress, assisting with behavior management plans, and facilitating daily classroom operations.
Job Title: Teaching Assistant
Full-Time, 35 hours per week during regular school sessions and 32.5 hours per week during summer sessions
Location: Easterseals Learning Academy, 110 Fandel Road, Germantown Hills, IL 61548
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Help students build the skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive.
At Easterseals Learning Academy, Teaching Assistants play a vital role in supporting students with autism, intellectual disabilities, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, and other health impairments. Working alongside teachers, therapists, and behavior support staff, you'll help create a structured, engaging, and supportive learning environment where students can grow academically, socially, emotionally, and functionally.
This is more than a classroom support position—it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students as they develop the skills needed for greater independence at school, at home, and in their communities.
Easterseals Learning Academy is an Illinois State Board of Education-approved non-public therapeutic day school serving students ages 5–21. School districts throughout Central Illinois partner with us to provide specialized educational programming for students whose needs are best served in a therapeutic and highly supportive learning environment. Our goal is to empower students to achieve their highest potential by strengthening academic achievement, communication skills, social-emotional development, and functional life skills that promote greater independence.
Every member of our team contributes to creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and celebrated for their progress.
See the Impact of Your Work
As a Teaching Assistant, you'll work directly with students throughout the school day—supporting classroom instruction, reinforcing new skills, encouraging positive behaviors, and helping students build confidence and independence.
You may help a student communicate a need for the first time, master a challenging academic concept, develop a social skill, or gain greater independence with daily living tasks. These moments may seem small, but they can have a lasting impact on a student's future.
At Easterseals Learning Academy, progress is measured one step at a time, and every member of the classroom team plays an important role in helping students succeed.
Watch this short video to learn more about the impact Easterseals has in our communities.
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Experience in special education, education, human services, behavioral health, childcare, or related fields is beneficial but not required. We welcome individuals who are eager to learn and grow within a supportive team environment.
You'll Thrive in This Role If...
The best Teaching Assistants aren't necessarily those with the most experience—they're the ones who show up each day with patience, flexibility, and a genuine desire to help students succeed.
Many of our successful Teaching Assistants come from backgrounds in education, childcare, behavioral health, direct support, psychology, social work, therapy services, and other helping professions. Just as important as experience is a willingness to learn and a commitment to supporting students with compassion and consistency.
Why Work for Easterseals?
Your support helps students build the confidence, independence, and skills they need for success—both inside and outside the classroom.
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The Teaching Assistant supports the teacher in providing designed instruction and educational programs for children who have a primary educational diagnosis of Autism, intellectual Disability, or other health impairment.
Completes paperwork such as attendance, weekly schedule, requisitions, and other required forms accurately, promptly, and according to ESLA procedures.
Understands, documents, and assists with any classroom or individual behavior management plans.
Performs day-to-day operations of the job showing self-confidence and independence.
Seeks consultation or guidance from the Teacher in unfamiliar situations, as needed.
Assists Teacher in routine paperwork and with making and preparing materials for classroom activities.
Develops an awareness of each student’s special needs; becomes familiar with student records and information.
Establishes priorities to complete work, meet deadlines, and be prepared for class each day.
Able to be reassigned as the need arises.
Conducts lessons with guidance and training from the teacher.
Supports student learning by answering questions, modeling or demonstrating skills, and participating in classroom discussions.
Provides re-teaching, guided practice, and assistance with assignments/tests/tasks to promote the acquisition of new skills.
Addresses specific functional or academic needs through modified activities, environmental accommodations, and adaptation.
Supports the development of students’ health and self-care by modeling, prompting, and positively reinforcing independence and self-care skills.
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Compensation and Benefits
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Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.
Market context
In Illinois, teaching assistant roles are commonly driven by school staffing needs in special education and general classroom support, especially where paraprofessional licensing is required. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for a valid TASN paraprofessional license, at least 60 semester hours or a paraprofessional exam, plus strong communication and knowledge of disabilities. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits from the original posting to save research time, then confirm your license status and readiness to follow classroom directions before applying.