Teacher - North Shore Academy

Teacher - North Shore Academy

The North Shore Academy (NSA) Teacher supports the True North mission and is committed to the possibilities in every learner, every day. This educator provides instructional, therapeutic, and community-based learning experiences for students with moderate-to-severe emotional and behavioral challenges. The NSA Teacher delivers individualized academic instruction, implements evidence-based behavioral and social-emotional interventions, and collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to promote student growth, resilience, and successful transitions.

The NSA Teacher works closely with students, families, classroom teams, related service providers, and administrators to create a safe, supportive, and trauma-informed learning environment. This educator understands that traditional disciplinary approaches are often ineffective for this population and instead utilizes collaborative problem-solving, coping skills instruction, and strength-based practices to support student development.

Qualifications:

• Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with LBS I endorsement
• Experience working with students with significant emotional, behavioral, and learning needs
• Knowledge of therapeutic, trauma-informed, and evidence-based practices for students with emotional and behavioral disorders
• Strong organizational skills and effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and support students in crisis
• Experience supervising and supporting paraprofessionals (preferred)

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of emotional and behavioral disorders and their impact on learning and development
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, collaborative problem-solving, and therapeutic classroom models
• Knowledge of academic curriculum across grade levels and content areas
• Knowledge of functional, community-based instruction and transition-focused programming
• Knowledge of legal and ethical requirements governing special education services
• Skill in designing and delivering specially designed academic and behavioral instruction aligned to IEP goals
• Skill in conducting informal and formal assessments of academic and behavioral progress
• Skill in implementing evidence-based interventions to address lagging skills and support regulation
• Skill in establishing a therapeutic classroom climate consistent with the Circle of Courage values
• Skill in supervising, coaching, and supporting teaching assistants
• Skill in maintaining accurate documentation, service notes, and IEP-related reports
• Skill in using technology to collect and analyze student data and support instruction
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with students, families, and staff
• Ability to engage in effective problem-solving with students in crisis
• Ability to model resilience, flexibility, and constructive conflict resolution
• Ability to maintain student safety and provide appropriate supervision
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and adapt to changing student needs
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and model ethical practice

Essential Responsibilities:

• Instruction & Curriculum:
  Develop and implement curriculum aligned to IEP goals and state standards; provide academic instruction appropriate to assigned grade level (elementary, middle, or high school); integrate functional, community-based learning experiences into instruction; conduct informal and formal assessments to monitor academic and behavioral progress; prepare for and participate in IEP meetings and multidisciplinary team conferences
• Therapeutic & Behavioral Support:
  Participate as a member of the therapeutic behavior program team to develop and implement treatment plans; utilize collaborative problem-solving, coping skills instruction, and evidence-based interventions; demonstrate a thorough understanding of emotional and behavioral disorders and therapeutic needs; establish a classroom culture consistent with a strengths-based model for positive school and classroom culture; engage in effective problem-solving with students experiencing crisis;
  
  formulate intervention strategies to address lagging skills and support…