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Paraprofessional

Paraprofessionals are valued staff members who work one-on-one with students in the classroom to meet their individual learning needs

Apply to be a paraprofessional

Short-term Approval

Per the Illinois State Board of Education, a short-term paraprofessional approval application is now available that allows individuals 19 years of age or older with a high school diploma (or equivalent) to serve as a paraprofessional (3 yr. limit) while completing full paraprofessional licensing requirements.
ISBE Short-term Approval Requirements

Full Endorsement Requirements

  • Individuals must be at least 19 years of age to serve students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.
  • Beginning January 1, 2023, individuals 18 years of age or older may qualify for a PreK-8th grade ELS-paraprofessional license if they work under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher and meet one of the following requirements: 
    • Associate’s degree or higher
    • 60 semester hours of coursework
    • High School Diploma or GED and a score of 460 or higher on the ETS Parapro
    • High School Diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT Workkeys:
    • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)
    • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

Note: ​Individuals who hold a paraprofessional license and a bachelor’s degree are qualified to be a substitute teacher. Coursework must be at the 100-level or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

Become a Substitute Teacher

Requirements

  • District 47 contact - Rob Bohanek, Director of Human Resources. 815-788-5053
  • Short-term approval and full paraprofessional requirements are listed here: ISBE Paraprofessional License Information
  • To apply for short-term paraprofessional approval, you must have an ELIS (Educator Licensure Information System) account with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE): If you do NOT have an ELIS account, Click here to create an ELIS account with ISBE
  • Paraprofessional Contact at the McHenry County Regional Office of Education

Compensation

  • $17.54 / hour (Starting July 1, 2024 for the 2024-25 school year)

District 47 Contractual Agreement MOU for CLASS 2023-2026

Benefits

$400 monthly contribution for medical care
Sick/personal days
Summers off