Special Education Instructional Assistant

2022 - 23 School Year

About Our School: The Cove School is a non-public therapeutic day school for students with learning disabilities located in Northbrook just 35 minutes north of Chicago. Cove students come from 60 different public schools throughout the Northern Illinois area. Families can also choose to fund tuition privately.

For 70 years, The Cove School has been a national leader within its field, creating an exceptional environment where children with learning disabilities “learn how to learn” and develop the emotional and social skills to reach within, achieve above, exceed beyond, and maximize student growth. Classes are kept small. Teaching is flexible and varies according to the individual student’s learning style. A team of onsite specialists work collaboratively to provide students intensive, integrated related services.

Minimum Education: B.A./B.S. degree preferred, State of Illinois paraprofessional license required

The position of the instructional assistant is designed to serve individuals and groups of students in the classroom and throughout the building site.

I. Professional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate good attendance and be on time each day.

• Display a positive and collaborative nature when working with staff.

• Encourage a positive learning environment in each setting with the school.

• Maintain confidentiality of student information.

• Defer decision-making and questions from parents to the supervising teacher or an administrator.

• Contribute to the Cove community by attending school events when possible.

II. Instructional Responsibilities

• Schedule activities, prepare charts, records, graphs, or otherwise display data.

• Perform checks and maintenance of equipment.

• Implement, under the direct supervision of the qualified supervising teacher, supplemental instructional assistance activities.

• Assist in providing supplementary work and reinforce learning in small groups or with individuals while the teacher/service provider works with other individuals.

• Record student progress toward meeting established objectives as stated in the IEP, and report this information to the supervising teacher/service provider.

• Provide direct supplemental instruction/intervention services included in the IEP as identified and directed by the supervising teacher/service provider.

• Use positive behavior supports consistent with those used by the supervising teacher/service provider.

• Supervision of students during classes such as gym, music, library, art, and be responsible for activities as assigned by the supervising teacher.

• Assist the teacher/service provider during assessment of students, such as those who are difficult to test.

• Be conscientious in regard to daily schedule and student assignments.

• Display problem solving skills and flexibility when instructional methods or materials need adaptations.

• Demonstrate initiative when various students or other staff members need help.

• Be engaged in all classroom activities.

• Follow teacher direction.

• Make appropriate suggestions to promote student achievement.