Special Education Resource Teacher

About the role

In the role of a Special Education Teacher, your commitment to evidence-based instructional strategies and program planning will be pivotal in fostering the comprehensive development of students with diverse needs.

Responsibilities

• Employ special educational strategies, including but not limited to scientific or evidence-based instruction, and techniques to improve the development of sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
• Employ educational strategies and techniques to reinforce learning and meet the diverse needs of students.
• Modify and/or accommodate the general education curriculum based on specific instructional techniques and technologies identified as best practices.
• Create a balanced program of instruction.
• In-depth knowledge of child guidance principles and practices specific to children with special education needs.
• Familiarity with classroom procedures and the ability to manage appropriate student conduct.
• Understanding of problems and concerns commonly faced by students with special needs.
• Proficient in research methods and adept at obtaining and providing instructional materials for special education services.
• Cookordination of integration of students with special needs into the general education environment.
• Establish and follow each student's Individual Education Program (IEP) to promote educational, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Prepare progress reports and report card grades as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on child progress.
• Observe, evaluate, collect, and analyze data of students' educational performance (academic, behavioral, communication).
• Administer identified district and state-required assessments and utilize and interpret student performance data to adjust instruction.
• Collaborate and confer with parents, administrators, general education teachers, related service providers, and other school professionals and paraprofessionals.
• Serve as an informational resource for students, parents, and district personnel.
• Respond to inquiries and provide information, recommendations, and interpretation of student educational and social-emotional needs.
• Attend and actively participate in team meetings to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
• Employ a problem-solving process to determine a course of intervention as prescribed by the district's tiered interventions.
• Confer with parents, administrators, and educational team members to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social/emotional development.
• Prepare data for local, state, and federal reports.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to learn, improve and maintain instructional best practices as a special education teacher.
• Provide instruction that meets state and federal laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Organize and conduct in-services for parents or staff as directed.
• Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.
• Operate a variety of office and classroom equipment, including a computer and assigned software.
• Monitor department expenditures as appropriate.
• Coordinate and conduct various team meetings and implement team recommendations as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree; one to two years related experience and/or training preferred.
• Must hold an appropriate valid Illinois Professional Educators License with appropriate LBS1 endorsement.
• Ideal candidates will have experience working with students who have low incidence disabilities.
• Certified de-escalation and restraint training expected.

Skills

• Familiarity with applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures in the field of special education.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, utilizing tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Capable of understanding and relating to students with special needs.
• Adherence to District organization, operations, policies, and objectives, as well as department and program goals.
• Skillful interpretation, application, and explanation of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Effective communication, cooperation, and maintenance of cooperative working relationships with others.
• Able to prioritize and schedule work efficiently.
• Proficient in maintaining records and preparing reports.

Benefits

• Insurance- medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available.
• Leaves- paid sick and personal days provided.
• Retirement- pre-tax retirement plans (e.g. 403b available).

Pay

Compensation In accordance with Oak Park Teachers Association Collective Date Available SY26-27 Bargaining Unit & Classification

Schedule

Not specified

Benefits

• Insurance- medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available.
• Leaves- paid sick and personal days provided.
• Retirement- pre-tax retirement plans (e.g. 403b available).