Special Education Teacher

Job Title

To help students achieve maximum benefits from the educational opportunities offered to them in the schools.

Role qualifications: Hold a current Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) PEL/ELS must be endorsed in area(s) to be taught PEL/ELS endorsed in Bilingual Education preferred

Position responsibilities: Remains current regarding ideas and methods which can improve instruction. Meets and instructs assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated. Adheres to the published policies and procedures of the District. Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required. Works cooperatively with other school personnel in the identification, diagnosis, and remediation of individual students with specialized needs. Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities. Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation. Attends staff meetings and serves on committees as allowed by contract. Assists in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials. Performs any other related duties as requested by building administration.

Essential skills and experience: Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interest of the students. Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of the administration. Guides the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals, establishes clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects, and communicates these goals and objectives to students and parents. Utilizes best practices with an emphasis on student engagement and cooperative learning techniques to enhance instruction. Provides instruction that supports the District's philosophy of education. Utilizes a variety of instructional techniques, instructional media, and technology consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved. Initiates contact with parents when necessary and responds promptly, constructively and professionally to parent-initiated contact/concerns. Establishes a set of classroom behavioral expectations based on clearly defined goals or principles. Maintains a professional decorum when dealing with behavioral problems. Is consistent and fair in dealing with classroom disruptions. Uses appropriate behavioral strategies in dealing with students. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Terms of Employment: Ten-month work year (180 days) Starting annual salary between $59,158 and $97,829 depending upon education and verified teaching experience Teachers Retirement System of Illinois (TRS) pension 55 minute duty-free lunch (40 minutes on Wednesdays) 10 sick days and 5 personal days for new hires Generous fringe benefits as provided by the current AFT/IFT Local 683 Agreement Performance evaluation based on criteria as defined in the AFT/IFT Local 683 Agreement and the Licensed Staff Evaluation Procedures.

Application Procedure: Apply online.