HS Teacher - SPED

Meridian Charter Schools • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

Meridian Charter Schools is a school management organization in Chicago, Illinois, operating three campuses of Chicago International Charter School. The organization aims to provide high-quality educational opportunities for students in culturally and linguistically diverse communities and to foster equitable, inclusive learning environments.

The High School Special Education Teacher ensures students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for academic progress and achievement. The teacher delivers adopted curriculum and supplemental materials, develops lessons that accommodate varied learning styles and specialized needs, and creates an environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, and self-motivation. The role also involves collaboration with colleagues on school improvement, curriculum development, student support, and other school activities.

This is a full-time, union-member position. The teacher must hold an active Professional Education License for grades 6–12 or 9–12 and an LBS1 Endorsement. A bachelor’s degree in a content area or aligned content area is required. The position is performed in a generally clean, climate-controlled environment.

Requirements

• Active Professional Education License (PEL) for grades 6–12 or 9–12 and an LBS1 Endorsement.
• Bachelor’s degree in a content area or aligned content area.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with students, parents or guardians, staff members, and community representatives.
• Substantial knowledge of subject matter consistent with state certification requirements, academic content, teaching and assessment practices, and classroom and behavior management techniques.
• Ability to modify instruction to meet student needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with school and community leaders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use data to guide decisions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, adapt to changing priorities, and remain flexible in instruction, assessment, and relationship building.
• Commitment to educational equity and inclusion and to dismantling systemic barriers.
• Passion for education.

Nice To Haves

• ELL Endorsement.
• Master’s degree in a content area or aligned content area.
• Experience writing and managing IEPs.
• Experience working with Impact or similar IEP management programs.
• Bilingual Spanish/English, Arabic/English, or Urdu/English.
• A record of designing and implementing successful specialized education initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a rigorous, research-based curriculum aligned with the organization’s mission, values, standards, and instructional objectives.
• Collaborate with the Special Education Team and school colleagues to integrate diverse learning initiatives and support student access to the curriculum.
• Comply with federal, state, and local special education laws and protocols, and maintain accurate records, reports, gradebooks, and attendance.
• Plan and deliver standards-aligned, differentiated instruction and assessments using school-adopted curriculum, supplemental materials, and relevant technology.
• Monitor student progress, use formative and summative assessment information to adjust instruction, provide opportunities for reassessment, and give specific feedback.
• Manage classroom behavior by establishing and enforcing expectations and procedures, and support students’ social and emotional needs.
• Communicate regularly and professionally with students, families, colleagues, and community partners about academic progress, attendance, conduct, interventions, and student needs.
• Build respectful relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners, and support inclusive, identity-affirming learning environments.
• Collaborate with teachers to implement Universal Design for Learning (UDL) or differentiated instruction and assessment.
• Participate in department, school, network, and parent meetings; professional learning; instructional coaching; and school improvement activities.
• Lead, mentor, and provide professional development opportunities for staff as directed by the Principal.
• Encourage family and community involvement, initiate conferences as appropriate, and attend school events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement planning
• PTO
• Support for professional growth and membership in local, state, and national educational organizations
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with the collective bargaining agreement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level