Special Education Teacher Job | Full-Time

Job Description Description: This position is for Pathways Academy, a program serving nonverbal/minimally verbal students with Autism PreK-2nd grade. This is a therapeutic day school serving up to 24 total students in 3 classrooms.

Special Education Teacher Job Description
Employment Type: Full-time | Exempts
Reports To: Site Administrator
Mission: The mission of our program is to provide our students with a high quality of education that offers instruction in both academic and social/emotional realms. The purpose of the academy is to provide students with social/emotional/behavioral issues a state-of-the-art therapeutic day program. Job Summary: The Special Education Teacher is responsible for delivering individualized instruction and managing a structured, supportive learning environment for students. They develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and integrate therapeutic strategies into daily lessons to support both academic progress and social-emotional growth. The teacher uses evidence-based practices, behavior management techniques, and differentiated instruction to meet diverse student needs, while fostering a safe, respectful, and engaging classroom atmosphere that promotes resilience, self-regulation, and long-term success.
Plans and implements research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Assesses student progress through ongoing data collection and analysis, using data to inform instruction, measure growth, and determine the need for additional support or adjustments to instructional techniques.
Employs a variety of teaching strategies, methods, and principles of learning to support the diverse academic and behavioral needs of students.
Coordinates and ensures the delivery of all special education services as outlined in each student’s IEP.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date documentation, including data tracking, progress reports, behavior logs, and compliance-related paperwork.
Creates a positive, structured, and individualized learning environment that fosters academic, emotional, and behavioral growth.
Implements and monitors classroom behavior management systems aligned with individual student behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and school-wide expectations.
Participates in Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and contributes to the development and implementation of effective Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
social workers, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists) to integrate therapeutic support into academic instruction.
Completes all school, and state reporting requirements accurately and in a timely manner.
Engages in ongoing professional development to remain current on best practices in special education, trauma-informed care, behavior management, and instructional methods.
Health Insurance

• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Illinois State Board of Education LBS1 OR Early Childhood Special Education License (Required)