Special Education Teacher
About The Position
We’re growing! Our Learning Academy is expanding to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, individualized education for students with disabilities. As we add a brand-new classroom to our program, we’re excited to welcome a dedicated and passionate Special Education Teacher to join our dynamic team. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a collaborative, therapy-integrated school environment that prioritizes student growth, communication, and independence. Come grow with us and make a meaningful impact every day! Our goal at Easterseals Learning Academy is to empower students to achieve peak academic performance, enhance social and emotional skills, develop effective communication, and gain functional life skills for community independence. We are an approved private school by the Illinois State Board of Education, serving students ages 5 - 21 with Autism, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. School districts from all over the area contract with Easterseals to assist them in providing educational programs for children with autism and related intellectual disabilities. We provide an alternative school placement for these students and help them grow toward independence.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Education is required.
- Must hold a valid teaching license that has been issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and registered with the Regional Office of Education as an LBS1.
- Registered Behavior Technician certification or willingness to complete training.
- Receive training and pass competency tests in Crisis Prevention Intervention.
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Working knowledge of personal computers and software (MS Office Suite).
Responsibilities
- Prepares and teaches lessons/skills designed to encourage academic communication, functional communication, and social growth.
- Develops/obtains materials needed for instruction.
- Adapts materials and lessons to accommodate the needs of individual students.
- Submits weekly lesson plans to the supervising administrator.
- Writes IEPs with goals and objectives that parallel the essential elements/common core standards as determined by data collected by IEP team members.
- Consults and collaborates with respective team members when evaluating progress and determining student programming needs.
- Ensures the physical layout of your classroom makes it accessible for learning when considering physical, medical, sensory, and cognitive needs.
- Applies Crisis Prevention Intervention de-escalation strategies in the school setting when student behaviors warrant intervention; implements behavior management plans if applicable.
- Communicates with out-of-district agencies regarding student needs. Agencies may include, but are not limited to, the following: home school district, medical professionals, mental health professionals, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Rehabilitation, Central Illinois Service Access, and ADDWC.
- Be welcoming to a classroom-based therapy model as related service providers (OT, PT, speech/language, social work, itinerant services) implement individual and group therapy sessions within the classroom setting.
- Participates in any mandatory training required by ISBE and ESLA administration.
Benefits
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including sick time, personal time, paid holidays, and paid holiday breaks
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for Medical and Dependent Care expenses
- Employer-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Life and AD&D Coverage options
- Supplemental Coverage Options: Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Plans
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for 24/7 confidential support
- Exclusive Employee Discounts through PerkSpot and local gym partnerships
- Annual Professional Development & CEU Allowance
- New Employee Referral Bonus
- Easterseals qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
