High School Therapeutic School Special Education Teacher

The Connect Academy•Addison, IL

About The Position

The Special Education Teacher delivers individualized instruction and manages a structured, supportive learning environment for students with social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The teacher develops and implements Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), collaborates with a multidisciplinary team, and incorporates therapeutic strategies into daily lessons to support academic progress and social-emotional growth. Using evidence-based practices, behavior management techniques, and differentiated instruction, the teacher fosters a safe, respectful, and engaging classroom that promotes resilience, self-regulation, and long-term success. The program provides a high-quality education in academic and social-emotional areas through a therapeutic day-program model. Hands-on instruction and therapeutic approaches involving art, music, and movement are designed to address the needs of a diverse student population.

Requirements

Illinois State Board of Education LBS1 certification (required).
Background check.
Physical exam.

Responsibilities

Plan and implement research-based specialized instruction addressing the goals and objectives in each student’s IEP.
Develop and implement annual IEPs in compliance with state and federal regulations, collaborating with parents, related service providers, and team members.
Collect and analyze ongoing student-progress data to inform instruction, measure growth, and determine whether additional support or instructional adjustments are needed.
Use varied teaching strategies, methods, and learning principles to address diverse academic and behavioral needs.
Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to develop and refine instructional goals, behavior supports, and therapeutic strategies.
Coordinate and ensure delivery of special education services specified in each student’s IEP.
Maintain accurate, current documentation, including data tracking, progress reports, behavior logs, and compliance paperwork.
Create a positive, structured, individualized learning environment that supports academic, emotional, and behavioral growth.
Implement and monitor classroom behavior-management systems aligned with individual behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and school-wide expectations.
Participate in Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and contribute to developing and implementing Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
Use trauma-informed practices and de-escalation strategies to support students with significant emotional and behavioral needs.
Serve as the primary contact for parents and guardians and communicate professionally and regularly about student progress and needs.
Supervise, direct, and provide constructive feedback to assigned educational assistants and paraprofessionals.
Collaborate with related service providers, including social workers, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, to integrate therapeutic support into academic instruction.
Complete school and state reporting requirements accurately and on time.
Engage in ongoing professional development in special education, trauma-informed care, behavior management, and instructional methods.
Perform other duties as assigned.