Special Education Teacher - Permanent

Elementary School Teaching/Sp.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow School
Special Education Resource Teacher
Perm/contract:
Core Instruction Administration

Longfellow Elementary School
In accordance with Oak Park Teachers Association Collective
Bargaining Unit & Classification:
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)

Champions the vision of the school district
Generates a culture of care for, learning with and service to the community
Understands the intersection of public school leadership, student learning and equity
Courageously addresses adult behavior that does not meet professional expectations
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. Proficient in adapting the general education curriculum to address student's needs, you will create a balanced instructional program tailored to individual needs. Your expertise in assessment, progress monitoring, and adherence to Individual Education Programs (IEPs) will ensure accurate tracking of student development. Effective communication and collaboration with parents, administrators, and fellow educators will be a cornerstone, as will your administrative responsibilities, including meticulous record-keeping and compliance with state and federal regulations. Responding to a wide range of inquiries from students' parents or guardians regarding instructional programs and student progress in support of the district's equity commitments as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.

Instruction and Program Planning:
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.
Modify and/or accommodate the general education curriculum based on specific instructional techniques and technologies identified as best practices.
In-depth knowledge of child guidance principles and practices specific to children with special education needs.
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.
Coordinate integration of students with special needs into the general education environment.

Assessment and Progress Monitoring:
Establish and follow each student's Individual Education Program (IEP) to promote educational, physical, social, and emotional development.
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.
Administrative Responsibilities:
Skillful in record-keeping, data collection, and report preparation techniques.

Provide instruction that meets state and federal laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
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.

Supervision and Training:
Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.
Operate a variety of office and classroom equipment, including a computer and assigned software.
May be responsible for assisting students who have toileting and hygiene needs.
Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Familiarity with applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures in the field of special education.
Competent in operating standard office and classroom equipment, including computers and assigned software.
Capability to understand and relate 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.
Accurate analysis of situations and adoption of effective courses of action.
Education, Credentials and/or Experience
Bachelor's Degree; one to two years related experience and/or training preferred. Ideal candidates will have experience working with students who have low incidence disabilities.
Certified de-escalation and restraint training expected.

This position requires the performance of light work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking, climbing stairs and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.
Applications are currently being accepted for this position via our district website. org, if you have questions about the application process.
We encourage interested applicants to apply, as we continue to uplift our equity policy. Our goal is to recruit, employ, support, and retain racially and linguistically diverse and culturally competent administrative, instructional and support personnel. Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.