Elementary Special Education Teacher (Grade K-5) - For School Year

Elementary Special Ed Teacher (Grades K-5) 2026-2027 School YearLocation: Maercker Intermediate School Start Date: August 2026 Requirements: PEL License with LBS1 endorsement Preferred: ESL endorsement Salary: In accordance with Contract Bargaining Agreement Maercker D60 is committed to serving most of our students with special needs in the general education classroom via a co-teaching model.Job DescriptionTitle: Certified Special Education TeacherQualifications: 1. Has a minimum of a Bachelor's degree. 2. Meets all certification requirements of the State of Illinois. 3. Minimum of student teaching experience in a special education program at the elementary or middle school level within the past five years. 4. For Middle School assignment completion of middle school professional education coursework.Functions: 1. Listening and speaking 2. Visually observing student behavior 3. Physical Management of Students 4. Demonstrating subject matter 5. CollaboratingReports To: Assigned building principal and/or assigned supervisorSupervises: StudentsJob Goal: To lead students with identified disabilities towards the fulfillment of their potential by translating district curriculum goals and objectives into individualized learning experiences that will contribute to the development of skills necessary for becoming a mature, responsible and independent individual.Performance Responsibilities:The teacher shall have current knowledge of content and pedagogy and use it in developing individualized instructional practices. This shall include a solid understanding of the content and its prerequisite relationships and connections with other disciplines.The teacher shall have knowledge of students' backgrounds, specific disabilities, strengths, needs, and interests, and shall use this knowledge to plan for individual and groups of students.The teachers shall establish individualized instructional goals that reflect high expectations while considering students' specific needs. These goals are aligned with the district curriculum and are assessed on an ongoing basis.The teacher shall have knowledge of resources available through the school, district and special education cooperative to enhance own knowledge, to use in teaching, or for students as appropriate.The teacher shall design coherent and individualized instruction in collaboration with parents, related services staff, and administration. Learning shall be aligned to Individualized Education Plans (IEP) which incorporate knowledge of content, knowledge of disabilities, knowledge of individual student needs, development of skills, appropriate instructional strategies, and resources.The teacher shall design student assessments that are aligned with IEP goals and use clear criteria to evaluate student growth. The teacher shall progress monitor student learning use results to redesign instruction as appropriate.Special Education Teachers in Maercker School District 60 will be expected to establish a learning environment that functions effectively. Evidence of this attribute shall include the following:The teacher shall create an environment of respect and rapport. Interactions between the teacher and students and among students are polite and respectful, reflecting general warmth and caring, and are appropriate to the individual needs of students.The teacher shall establish a culture for learning that is characterized by high expectations for all students and genuine commitment to all subjects by both teacher and students. Students demonstrate pride in their work and teachers consistently provide feedback and reinforce student accomplishments.The teacher shall effectively manage classroom procedures. Little instructional time is lost because of classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, and performance of non-instructional duties, which occur smoothly.The teacher shall effectively manage student behavior by establishing clear standards of conduct, being alert to student behavior at all times, and consistently responding to behaviors appropriately and successfully in a manner that respects the students' dignity. Specific behavioral interventions are designed and implemented to increase individual student academic and social/emotional growth.The teacher shall organize physical space to ensure safety and accessibility. The teacher ensures that the physical arrangement is appropriate to advance student learning. The teacher makes effective use of physical resources including technology.The teacher shall provide clear direction and guidance to instructional assistants in order to maintain consistency in the delivery of instruction, reinforcement, classroom and individual behavior management.Special Education Teachers in Maercker District 60 shall demonstrate effective instruction by engaging students in their learning. Evidence of this attribute shall include the following:The teacher shall utilize clear oral and written language to effectively communicate with students specific expectations for learning, directions, procedures, and explanations of content.The teacher shall effectively use questioning which elicits high quality responses. Sufficient time shall be allowed for students to respond. Discussion techniques shall be utilized that successfully engage all students.Students shall be engaged in learning through activities and assignments, materials, structure and pace which support IEP goals, high expectations, and are appropriate for students' disabilities, cultures and levels of understanding.The teacher shall utilize assessment for and of learning that allow students to be fully aware of the criteria by which they will be evaluated, monitor the progress of learning, provide feedback which is timely and of high quality, and facilitate student self- assessment and monitoring of progress.The teacher shall demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness. Lessons will be adjusted with minimal disruption. Students' questions or interests will be accommodated. The teacher will persist in seeking to engage all students in learning through a variety of instructional techniques that are aligned with individual student needs and are reflective of research based current practices in the delivery of specialized instruction.Special Education Teachers in Maercker District 60 shall demonstrate a commitment to high ethical and professional standards and seek to improve their practice. Evidence of this attribute shall include the following:The teacher shall reflect on teaching. Reflection will involve making accurate and objective assessments of lessons and using these assessments to improve future instruction.The teacher shall maintain accurate records. Effective and efficient systems will be developed to maintain accurate information on students' completion of assignments, students' progress in learning, and non-instructional records.The teacher shall be prepared for all IEP meetings in a timely manner by completing appropriate assessments, documenting student present levels of performance, and assuring all necessary student information is organized and accurate.The teacher shall effectively communicate with families, frequently providing information on the instructional program and the individual student in order to successfully engage families in the learning process.The teacher shall actively participate in the professional learning community. Relationships with colleagues are collaborative, supportive and cooperative. The teacher will seek to make a substantial contribution to the district by participating in events and projects.The teacher shall grow and develop professionally. The teacher seeks opportunities for professional development based on individual assessment of need. The teacher actively shares expertise with others and is open to feedback from supervisors and colleagues which are collaborative in nature.The teacher shall demonstrate professionalism through high standards of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical conduct. The teacher shall comply fully and voluntarily with school and district regulations.Conditions of Employment: 1. Employment determined by school calendar. 2. Employment as established by the agreement of the board of education and the Maercker Education Association.Evaluation: Performance is evaluated regularly by building or central office administration as appropriate.