Special Education Teacher

About the role

Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is hiring a Special Education Teacher for its onsite private, therapeutic Grand Prairie School. The position is located in Onarga, IL, approximately 30 miles south of Kankakee and 45 miles north of Champaign-Urbana.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct instruction and support to students with disabilities in inclusion and/or special education settings.
• Conducts academic evaluations and writes reports for initial and triennial assessments.
• Develops, implements, and monitors Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Shares IEP progress updates with parents as outlined in the plan.
• Prepares for and participates in IEP meetings for both inclusion and self-contained students.
• Interprets assessment data to inform instructional decisions.
• Collaborates with the team of teachers and behavior intervention staff.
• Helps develop IEPs to promote students' academic, interpersonal, and college- and career-readiness skills.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in an educational discipline is required.
• Active teacher’s licensure/certification required.
• LBS1 Licensure OR willing to obtain within 1 year of employment with financial assistance provided.
• Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements.
• Must successfully pass a DCFS criminal background check.
• Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such as language, traditions, and values.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years previous teaching experience is preferred.
• A Master’s degree in an educational discipline is preferred.

Skills

• Classroom Harmony Mastery: Creating positive, structured learning spaces where students feel supported and ready to thrive.
• IEP Wizardry: Crafting thoughtful, compliant, student-centered IEPs that truly move the needle.
• Collaboration Superpowers: Communicating with families, teammates, and partners to build a united support system for every learner.
• Data Detective Skills: Turning numbers and trends into meaningful instructional decisions that spark growth.

Benefits

• $2,000 Sign on Bonus for licensed LBS1 Teachers paid out over 18 months of employment.
• Small class sizes.
• Full time paraprofessional in each classroom.
• Behavior Intervention Team readily available to provide ongoing support.
• Residential program staff available throughout the school day to provide additional support where needed.
• Tuition assistance program offered to pursue higher education.
• 8 days of paid time off per calendar year plus pre-scheduled paid break weeks off throughout the year, including 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week Spring Break, 1 week in June & 1 week in August, in addition to time off around other recognized holidays.

Pay

$58,000-$66,000 annually based on credentials and years of teaching experience.

Schedule

Schedule: Monday-Friday 7a-3:30p

Location

110 N Locust, Onarga, IL

Comprehensive Benefits

• Endless training on mental health & trauma informed care.
• Internal advancement opportunities without further education required.
• Ongoing support of a team of trained & experienced professionals.
• Employee Referral Bonus program.
• Multiple options for health insurance coverage.
• No-cost life insurance.
• Short/long-term disability insurance.
• 401k match.
• Talkspace Therapy Benefit for the whole family.
• Hinge Health Benefit for the whole family.
• Carrot Fertility Benefit.
• And much more!

Work Environment

• Must be able to assist staff in proper restraining of youths.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100+ pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2-4 hours).
• Must be able to twist, bend and stretch in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities within the residential program.