Special Education Assistant Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

A Special Education Assistant plays a crucial role in elementary education by supporting students with special needs under the direction of a Special Education Teacher. They help to handle the everyday needs of these students such as helping them with their schoolwork, personal hygiene, mobility, feeding, and behavioral issues. They also monitor student progress and assist the teacher in devising and implementing personalized educational plans. Special Education Assistants also contribute to maintaining a safe and comfortable classroom environment that promotes learning.

This role demands certain certifications and skills. At a minimum, they must possess a high school diploma but a degree or certification in special education or a related field is preferred. CPR and First Aid certifications are a plus. They should have excellent communication skills to effectively interact with students, teachers, and parents. Patience and empathy are essential as they will be tasked with managing children with varying abilities and behavioral issues. Prior experiences as a Teacher's Assistant, Childcare Worker, or Behavior Therapist can provide valuable experience before becoming a Special Education Assistant.

1-15 of 65 Jobs

Developmental Paraprofessional - Byrd

  • Burbank, IL (22 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 11 hours ago
  • Burbank, IL (22 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 11 hours ago

1 Full-Time Primary Developmental Paraprofessional - Byrd for 25/26 School Year * ELS (PARA) License required *Bilingual a plus *May work with students with disabilities Salary: Starting Salary...

Special Education Teaching Assistant - Edison Middle School

  • Wheaton, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago
  • Wheaton, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago

Education Teaching Assistant (Middle School Level) Reports to: Classroom Teacher/ Building Principal Summary of Position: The Special Education Aide assists teachers in meeting the needs of special...

Special Education Teaching Assistant - Middle School

  • Wheaton, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago
  • Wheaton, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 1 day ago

Education Teaching Assistant (Middle School Level) Reports to: Classroom Teacher/ Building Principal Summary of Position: The Special Education Aide assists teachers in meeting the needs of special...

Elementary Special Education Teaching Assistant (Part-Time)

  • Wheaton, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 3 days ago
  • Wheaton, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 3 days ago

Position Type: Teacher Assistant/ Elementary Special Education Teacher Assistant Date Posted: 5/12/2025 Location: Multiple Locations (no travel) Date Available: 08/2025 Closing Date: Until Filled District...

Elementary Special Education Teaching Assistant (Part-Time)

  • Naperville, IL (23 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 3 days ago
  • Naperville, IL (23 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 3 days ago

Position Type: Teacher Assistant/ Elementary Special Education Teacher Assistant Date Posted: 5/12/2025 Location: Multiple Locations (no travel) Date Available: 08/2025 Closing Date: Until Filled  ...

School Paraprofessional Position - Full Time Contract - Lisle, IL

  • Lisle, IL (20 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 4 days ago
  • Lisle, IL (20 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 4 days ago

We are seeking a School Paraprofessional to work in small group settings with students with learning disabilities and provide educational support at a school district near Lisle, IL....

Transition Center Special Education Teaching Assistant

  • Round Lake, IL (23 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • Round Lake, IL (23 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago

Transition Center Special Education Teaching Assistant JobID: 6500 Position Type: Support Staff/Teacher Assistant Date Posted: 7/25/2025 Location: Round Lake Transition Center, Round Lake, IL Date Available...

Paraprofessional

  • Evanston, IL (9 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago
  • Evanston, IL (9 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 6 days ago

Company: Fusion Location: Evanston, IL Career Level: Entry Level Industries: Education Management Description Position Summary: Our Non-Public Special Education School is seeking a dedicated and compassionate...

School Paraprofessional Positon - Full Time Contract - Winfield, IL

  • Winfield, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago
  • Winfield, IL (18 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago

We are hiring a School Paraprofessional to work full time and support students with learning disabilities and special needs at a school district in the Winfield, IL area. Requirements : Prior...

1:1 Special Education Aide Position - Full Time Contract - Glendale Heights, IL

  • Glendale Heights, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago
  • Glendale Heights, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago

We are hiring a Special Education Aide to work full time and provide 1:! support to a student with special needs at a district in the Glendale Heights, IL....

Paraprofessional- Program Aides

  • Algonquin, IL (22 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago
  • Algonquin, IL (22 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago

Duties Assist students with special needs throughout the day with academics and daily school routines. Will assist the students in following a strict schedule and maintaining his/her safety while...

Special Education Teaching Assistant

  • Arlington Heights, IL (6 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago
  • Arlington Heights, IL (6 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 9 days ago

Special Education Teaching Assistant JobID: 4387 Position Type: Teaching Assistant/Special Education Teaching Assistant Date Posted: 7/21/2025 Location: Olive-Mary Stitt Elementary School Date Available...

Special Education Paraprofessional Position - Full School Year Contract - Schaumburg, IL

  • Schaumburg, IL (9 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 10 days ago
  • Schaumburg, IL (9 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 10 days ago

Sunbelt is seeking a School Paraprofessional to work full time and provide educational support to students with special needs and behavior issues at a district near Schaumburg, IL. Qualifications...

School Special Education Aide Position - Full Time Contract - Glenview, IL

  • Glenview, IL (3 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 10 days ago
  • Glenview, IL (3 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 10 days ago

We are hiring a Special Education Aide to work full time and provide support to students with special needs at a school district near Glenview, IL....

Special Education Classroom Assistant SY2025-26

  • Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 17 days ago
  • Chicago, IL (15 miles from Des Plaines, IL)
  • 17 days ago

Duties Title: Elementary Special Education Classroom Assistant Reports to: Director of Diverse Learning/Special Education Case Manager Position Description: Under the direct supervision of the General...

Demographic Data for Des Plaines, IL

Moving to Des Plaines, IL? Find some basic demographic data about Des Plaines, IL below.


Local
National
91,939
3,014
Medium/Lg

Special Education Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireElementaryTeachers curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Teaching Assistant with Special Education & Phonics Course
Are you passionate about supporting children with diverse educational needs? The Teaching Assistant with Special Education & Phonics Course is designed for individuals looking to make a...
Special Education
This course is part of a D2L/Educator and Leadership Institute (ELI) suite of online learning programmes. The programmes aim to boost knowledge in 4 areas: Special Education, School Leadership,...
MathTrackX: Special Functions
Understand trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions and how they can be applied in the real world. This course is part two of the MathTrackX XSeries Program which has been designed to...

Title Synonyms

Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job title


Salary for Special Education Assistant Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireElementaryTeachers research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Special Education Assistant positions.



Highest Education Level

Special Education Assistants in Des Plaines, IL offer the following education background
Bachelor's Degree
43.0%
Master's Degree
33.0%
Associate's Degree
8.9%
High School or GED
5.5%
Vocational Degree or Certification
5.1%
Doctorate Degree
2.7%
Some College
1.4%
Some High School
0.3%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



Special Education Assistant Related Career Advice Articles

Teacher teaching remotely
How to Become a Remote Teacher

Learn how to become a remote teacher with information on the qualifications, requirements, and resources you need to start your career as a remote educator.

Read article »
Learn the 6 best nationwide teacher job search tips
6 Must-Read Tips for Your Out-of-State or Nationwide Teacher Job Search

Running a nationwide teacher job search doesn’t have to be hard. Learn the keys to job hunting out of state and how to find and apply for teaching jobs.

Read article »
elementary school teacher in front of classroom
What’s Making or Breaking Your Elementary School Teacher Salary?

Despite working longer-than-average hours (50+ per week), 70% of teachers feel their salaries are unfairly low. The cliché, of course, is that teachers choose their careers “for the kids, not the money,” but the reality is that they need financial security no matter how much they care about their students.

Read article »