Substitute Teacher, Long-Term

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education•Harvard, IL

About The Position

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is seeking a Long-Term Substitute Teacher for its special education program serving grades 6–12. The role supports students who benefit from structure and individualized support, while contributing to a learning environment that encourages innovation and creative expression. In the regular classroom teacher’s absence, the substitute maintains instructional continuity by implementing curriculum, schedules, lesson plans, and related materials tailored to students’ individual needs and development. The position is accountable for driving measurable student achievement through instructional practices aligned with ChanceLight standards and policies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in education or a closely related field.
Currently licensed or in the process of obtaining a valid Illinois state substitute teaching credential.
Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company-approved crisis management training.
Prior experience providing instruction, guidance, and/or support to children.
Prior experience and/or knowledge of special education services, curriculum development, differentiated instruction, and personalized learning in a classroom setting.
Highly skilled in working with children with learning disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and/or related disabilities.
Ability to motivate students and have critical conversations that help them move toward realistic goals.
Ability to think and act quickly and calmly in an emergency and make independent decisions.
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain organization and attention to detail.
Advanced oral and written communication, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Knowledge of relevant technology, including instructional technology, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry, and basic office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting children in an alternative, special education, and/or behavioral health program setting.

Responsibilities

Design daily lesson plans and structured classroom schedules aligned with state standards and school expectations.
Deliver rigorous, engaging instruction and facilitate classroom activities using curriculum resources and educational technology.
Collaborate with teachers and support staff to provide targeted instructional support and approved curriculum modifications for diverse learners.
Establish and enforce behavioral expectations, maintain a safe and structured learning environment, and provide consistent line-of-sight supervision of assigned students.
Maintain a firm, fair, and consistent instructional approach grounded in structure, accountability, and high expectations.
Communicate regularly with parents and guardians about student progress, areas for improvement, and factors that may influence academic performance.
Participate in team meetings about student academic or behavioral concerns and intervention strategies.
Monitor and evaluate student progress using classroom data, documentation systems, and performance metrics.
Stay current with research-based practices, subject-area developments, and professional development opportunities.
Model professionalism and positivity, and respond constructively to feedback to support continuous growth.
Perform additional duties as assigned to support classroom operations and student success.