Special Education Case Manager

Reports to Principal

About the role

Acero Schools Special Education Case Managers realize that success is built on relationships—with students, families, and colleagues. Our case managers focus their work on student learning and wholeheartedly believe that all students can learn, demonstrating this through innovation and sharing best practices. As a case manager with Acero Schools, you are responsible for the academic growth of your students and are relentless and resilient in that pursuit. Case managers play a critical role in the academic success of students with disabilities, providing services in the least restrictive environment, which may include co-teaching within an inclusive classroom setting, small group, or individual instruction. They use proven educational models for social-emotional learning, personalized learning, and data-driven differentiated instruction in a culturally sensitive manner.

Case managers function as advocates for both parents and students, facilitators of student-focused discussions, resources and coaches for teachers, and problem solvers. They also oversee the flow of paperwork and personnel, demanding a professional, honest, flexible, and outcome-based approach to education.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high academic standards, set goals, and do what it takes to achieve them.
• Design instruction, both individual and small group, which parallels the general education curriculum and assessments.
• Differentiate curriculum, instruction, and individualized learning plans to meet individual student needs.
• Design and implement high-quality IEPs that effectively catalog student needs with clear objectives and outcomes in a timely manner.
• Monitor student progress, related services, and program compliance; participate in review and revision of IEPs as appropriate, and escalate any issues to the Principal.
• Assist other professional staff in the identification of learning disabilities, development of planned remediation, and evaluation of student progress.
• Develop positive relationships with students and families to create support for students and their growth.
• Possess an understanding of State and Federal Special Education Law and CPS Policies.
• Attend all CPS and Acero Schools Special Education-related meetings (both network-level and school team) and develop an annual IEP calendar.
• Maintain accurate student data and records, and 100% compliance rate for completing all Annual Reviews, Initial, and Three-Year Reevaluations according to State and Federal Law.
• Maintain confidentiality according to State guidelines.
• Manage classroom behavior in a respectful manner consistent with school-wide rules and Acero Schools Student Code of Conduct, and advise other professional staff on best practices.
• Collaborate with instructional leaders to develop and execute a Professional Growth Plan for your development.
• Clearly and accurately communicate with administration, colleagues, students, parents, and the larger academic community to improve academic outcomes for all students.
• Exhibit professionalism, leadership, and personal responsibility for daily work and attendance, personal appearance, student learning, and school success.
• Demonstrate collegial behavior and make positive contributions to the school community.
• Believe in our ability to create the future we envision.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (required).
• Ability to demonstrate the academic progress of students under your leadership and articulate the methods used to achieve those results.
• Knowledge of data-driven instructional practices.
• Experience with progress monitoring related to IEPs and RtI, developing high-quality IEPs, and co-teaching.
• Ability to work cooperatively and positively with students’ parents/guardians and with general education teachers.
• Strong technology skills.
• Possess a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) or equivalent (required).
• Possess a valid Illinois LBS1 endorsement or Type 75 (required).
• ESL/Bilingual endorsement preferred.
• Residency in Chicago (not required).
• Must be authorized to work in the United States (required).

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all full-time employees, including but not limited to:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Short & Long-Term Disability
• 401k & Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund

Pay

Salary range: $64,480 - $77,329

Location

Chicago, IL

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The nature of the work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment, collect, compile, and prepare work documents, set-up, and maintain work files, and communicate and exchange information. Physical demands include the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, and walk around the classroom 60% of the day. In addition, candidates must be able to lift and/or push and pull 15 to 20 lbs. for short periods of time, and walk up and down stairs several times a day. The majority of work is performed in a general school environment. The role may require participation and attendance at organization-sponsored events and meetings, in accordance with the terms in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and Acero.