The Stepping Stones Group
Make a Difference Every Day
Empowering Students, Enriching Futures!
School-Based Substitute Paraprofessional (Strategic Sub) | Part-Time | K-8 Special Education | Multiple Openings
About the Opportunity
Are you passionate about supporting students and helping them reach their full potential? The Stepping Stones Group is seeking dedicated Paraprofessionals to join our team in school-based settings. This is more than a job. It's a chance to make a meaningful impact while working alongside educators and support teams, helping students build the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and life skills they need to succeed. We have multiple openings.
You'll start as a strategic substitute, covering classrooms and student support needs at several schools, before moving into a standard assignment. You'll work with teachers and special education staff to provide one-on-one, two-on-one, or classroom support.
- Pay: $20-$22 per hour
- Schedule: Monday-Friday, up to 30 hours per week (up to 6 hours per day), within a 7:00 AM-4:00 PM window. Hours vary by assignment, and a 30-minute unpaid break may apply depending on your hours.
- Setting: Onsite, K-8, one-on-one, two-on-one, and classroom support in general education and special education settings
- Sites: Multiple school sites
- Start date: Immediate, through the end of the school year
- Employment type: W-2
- Location: Shared with candidates during the application process
What You'll Do
- Cover classrooms and provide one-on-one, two-on-one, and classroom support as a strategic substitute
- Move between school sites and adjust to frequent assignment changes
- Provide behavioral support and intervention, and use positive reinforcement and proactive strategies
- Assist students with academic tasks, assignments, and general academic support
- Support students with daily needs, which may include mobility, feeding, toileting, and diapering
- Provide emotional support to students throughout the school day
- Collect and document data as directed by the teacher and school team
- Assist the teacher(s) and classroom aides as needed
- Support implementation of IEP accommodations and behavior plans as directed
- Collaborate with teachers, special education staff, therapists, and administrators
- Maintain accurate documentation and student records, and maintain confidentiality
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Availability Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Openness to starting as a strategic substitute
- Openness to frequent assignment changes and working at multiple school sites
- Comfort with toileting and diapering assistance, if needed
- Reliable transportation
- Ability to follow instructional plans, classroom procedures, and behavioral support strategies
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Authorization to work in the United States; English proficiency
You'll Thrive in This Role If You Are Open To:
- Working as a substitute first, with a path to a standard assignment
- Working with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emotional disturbance (ED), other health impairments (OHI), and significant behavioral needs
- Working with medically fragile students
- Providing toileting and diapering assistance if needed
- Working with students of all ages and all caseloads and behaviors
- Working in both general education and special education settings
- Adjusting your caseload or school site based on district needs
- Working fully onsite and in person
Preferred Qualifications
- School-based experience
- Experience supporting students with disabilities and behavioral needs
- Experience with behavior support strategies or applied behavior analysis (ABA)
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification, or willingness to obtain it
- CPR and First Aid certification
- CPI, Safety-Care, or other crisis prevention and de-escalation training
- Associate's or bachelor's degree in education, psychology, child development, or a related field
Related Experience We Value
Experience as a Substitute Paraprofessional, Paraprofessional, Instructional Aide, Teacher Assistant, Educational Assistant, Classroom Aide, Special Education Assistant, Behavior Technician, Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), Student Support Assistant, or Direct Support Professional (DSP) is highly valued.
Why Candidates Choose This Role
- Gain hands-on experience in education and student support across different schools and classrooms
- Start as a substitute and move toward a standard assignment
- Build experience for careers in teaching, special education, psychology, counseling, social work, and healthcare
- Follow a predictable school schedule, with weekends, evenings, holidays, and school breaks typically off
- Work alongside experienced teachers, therapists, and educational professionals
- Develop professional skills in instructional support, behavior management, and student engagement
Why You'll Love Working With Us
- Competitive pay of $20-$22 per hour
- Health and wellness benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance and 401(k) retirement plan for eligible employees
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Continuing education resources
- Employee referral bonus program
- Responsive and supportive leadership
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement
- Meaningful work that directly impacts students and communities
Physical Requirements
- Ability to remain active throughout the school day, including frequent standing, walking, kneeling, bending, crouching, and repositioning
- Ability to respond quickly and safely to student needs, behaviors, and classroom situations
- Ability to assist students with mobility, toileting, and daily living activities, if needed
- Additional requirements may vary by assignment
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?
Successful Substitute Paraprofessionals are patient, dependable, adaptable, and student-focused. They adjust quickly to new classrooms and schools, collaborate effectively with school teams, build positive relationships with students, and create supportive learning environments that promote confidence, independence, and success.
About The Stepping Stones Group
We believe every child deserves exceptional support for their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. We partner with schools across the country to provide high-quality educational services that help students build confidence, develop new skills, and reach meaningful milestones, and we give our team members the support, training, and resources to thrive.
Ready to make an impact? Apply today. Please confirm that you're open to starting as a strategic substitute, frequent assignment changes, and working at multiple school sites, and tell us how you'll get to work.