Special Education Teacher

Position Overview

The mission of Distinctive Schools is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.

Responsibilities

• Culture
• Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making
• Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things
• Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making
• Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong relationships with students, families, and staff
• Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset
• Foster positive climate and culture
• Serve as a positive role model
• Professional Responsibilities
• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, families, and community members
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly
• Maintain positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development
• Professional Commitment: has good attendance and regularly participates in all staff, department, and committee meetings in addition to other school/district events
• Plan and supervise assignments for paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers, and make written evaluation as required
• Inform families regarding student progress, the instructional program, and other school issues
• Complete and update compliance related Special Education tasks in accordance with state and federal mandates
• Classroom Management and Organization
• Work closely with team members and families to best meet the needs of students
• Support classroom procedure (classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, and performance of non-instructional duties occur smoothly)
• Support student behavior (Standards of conduct appear to be clear to students, and the teacher monitors students behavior against those standards. The teachers response to student misbehavior is appropriate and respects the students dignity)
• Instructional Strategies
• Serve as primary instructor for students with identified learning needs in a variety of settings
• Develop lessons that address students academic, interpersonal, social and emotional needs
• Provide research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each students Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
• Develop and implement annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals
• Make collaboration a priority with members of the IEP team
• Monitor progress to ensure all students are demonstrating high rates of growth
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse social-emotional, cultural, economic and ability backgrounds

Requirements (minimum)

• Education: Bachelor's Degree
• Qualifications
• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI)
• Valid Special Education License in state of employment (IL or MI)

Physical Demands

Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing

Benefits

• 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match: Fully match up to 3%, 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer

Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.