U-46 seeks paraeducators for bilingual, special education programs

Elgin Area School District U-46 is seeking licensed paraeducators, primarily to serve bilingual and specialized populations, officials said Thursday.

A job fair is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Ridge Circle Elementary School, 420 Ridge Circle, Streamwood.

Teacher assistants are needed for schools in Bartlett, Carol Stream, Elgin, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, South Elgin, Streamwood and Wayne.

"We have 80 vacancies and the majority of them are at the elementary level and the balance would be at our secondary level," said Ann Chan, assistant superintendent of human resources.

With the district's dual language program rolling up into high school, the need for bilingual paraeducators is increasing, she added.

The dual language program will be offered in kindergarten through 10th grade this fall and ultimately will roll up into 12th grade.

Special education paraeducators also are in demand.

"Typically, a majority of our vacancies are for specialized services," Chan said. "We're always looking for great individuals that have that dedication to support our teachers and educators in the classroom. This is a great opportunity for folks that have children in the schools."

Paraeducators lead individual and small group instruction in the classroom. They reinforce lessons taught by the classroom teacher, enforce school and class rules, and prepare classroom materials. They work with students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in general education, bilingual education and special education programs, officials said.

Qualified candidates must have an Illinois State Board of Education-sanctioned paraprofessional license.

"That is something the district can support individuals through, if they don't have one," Chan said. "They have to have the license before they get hired."

Interested candidates can apply online at u-46.org or email LisaKnight@u-46.org. For same-day interviews at the job fair, candidates must bring their resumes, verification or evidence of credentials, and other professional documents.