Teacher Assistant Substitute 

Revised May 2025
 

Portrait of a District 97 Leader:

• Champions the vision of the school district

• Models a forward-thinking and innovative mindset

• Stewards public funds with a high sense of responsibility

• Leads with an unrelenting commitment to universal student success 

• Demonstrates the ability to organize teams to achieve common goals

• Leads with an awareness of the cross-functional nature of district work

• Generates a culture of care for, learning with and service to the community

• Aspires to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality

• Demonstrates a passion for working with a culturally, racially linguistically diverse district team of administrators, educators and staff in all roles

• Actively seeks feedback, including critical feedback intended for professional growth

• Understands the intersection of public school leadership, student learning and equity

• Courageously addresses adult behavior that does not meet professional expectations

About the Role

The job of the Teacher Assistant Substitute is to provide support to students and teaching staff in a classroom setting. The role involves helping students, especially those with special needs, to complete educational tasks, ensuring their safety and well-being, and supporting a positive learning environment. The Teacher Assistant Substitute conducts theirself in  ways that demonstrates their alignment and agreement with the district’s equity commitments as expressed in  Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.  

Essential Skills and Responsibilities:

1. Ability to lift students is required

2. To assist students academic needs.

3. Ability to work and communicate with students in an appropriate professional manner required

4. Ability to work collaboratively with others

5. Assist the classroom teacher and student(s) in daily activities

6. Demonstrate knowledge of students' needs, including but not limited to: educational, medical, physical, sensory, speech/language, social/emotional, recreational, vocational, etc., as established by the teacher.

7. Under the direction of the teacher, maintain student behavior by utilizing behavior management strategies

8. Operate all equipment related to support of teacher and/or student needs: copy machine, computers, assistive technology, related OT and PT devices, other items as required

Candidate Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree, preferred
• Illinois Professional Educator License or
• Illinois Substitute Teacher License or

• ELS with Paraprofessional Endorsement

Physical Requirements: 

This position requires the performance of light work—which may require exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.  The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere.  The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.