High School Special Education Teacher

Distinctive Schools•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Distinctive Schools is an educational practice leader committed to social justice and increasing access and achievement in historically marginalized communities. Its mission is to help each child become an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver through high expectations and a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism. The Special Education Teacher demonstrates effective teaching competencies, classroom management, positive professional qualities, and sound instructional practice. The teacher ensures equal instructional opportunities and creates a challenging, dynamic, and comprehensive learning environment. Instruction supports students’ personal growth, individual talents and abilities, values, knowledge, and understanding. The teacher serves as the primary instructor for students with identified learning needs in a variety of settings. The role includes planning and delivering specialized instruction, developing and implementing student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), monitoring student progress, maintaining accurate records, completing special education compliance tasks, and collaborating with students, families, colleagues, and IEP team members. The teacher also supports classroom routines and student behavior, contributes to an equitable and culturally responsive school culture, and may plan and supervise paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers. This is a regular full-time position at CICS Longwood High School in Chicago, Illinois. The position reports to the Principal. The starting salary for certified teachers is $70,000, and the stated start date is November 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in the state of employment (Illinois or Michigan).
Valid Special Education License in the state of employment (Illinois or Michigan).
Physical capacity for occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.

Responsibilities

Maintain a student-centered perspective and high expectations for all students’ ability to learn and achieve.
Contribute to campus and network equity work and make culturally responsive decisions.
Build a culture of belonging through strong, positive relationships with students, families, and staff; cultivate a strengths-based, equity-focused mindset; foster a positive climate; and serve as a positive role model.
Maintain professional relationships with colleagues, students, families, and community members, and communicate information accurately and clearly.
Maintain accurate and complete records of student progress and development.
Attend regularly and participate in staff, department, and committee meetings and other school or district events.
Plan and supervise assignments for paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers, and provide written evaluations when required.
Inform families about student progress, the instructional program, and other school matters.
Complete and update special education compliance tasks in accordance with state and federal mandates.
Collaborate with team members and families to meet students’ needs and support effective classroom routines, transitions, and non-instructional procedures.
Support student behavior by communicating clear standards, monitoring behavior, and responding appropriately while respecting students’ dignity.
Serve as the primary instructor for students with identified learning needs in a variety of settings.
Develop lessons addressing students’ academic, interpersonal, social, and emotional needs.
Provide research-based specialized instruction addressing the goals and objectives in each student’s IEP.
Develop and implement annual IEPs, including present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and required special education and related services.
Prioritize collaboration with members of the IEP team.
Monitor student progress to ensure students demonstrate high rates of growth.
Demonstrate skill in working with students from diverse social-emotional, cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds.