Special Education Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

The Special Education Teacher serves as the Classroom Program Manager for a highly specialized therapeutic learning environment serving students with multiple, severe to profound disabilities, including students who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to providing high-quality, individualized instruction, the teacher is responsible for coordinating all aspects of classroom programming to ensure safe, accessible, meaningful, and evidence-based educational experiences for every student.

Through thoughtful leadership, data-driven decision making, and therapeutic instructional practices, the Special Education Teacher ensures that each student's educational program promotes communication, functional independence, self-determination, community participation, and lifelong success.

• Design, coordinate, and oversee the daily operation of the classroom instructional program.
• Establish classroom systems, routines, schedules, and procedures that maximize instructional time, student engagement, safety, and independence.
• Develop individualized instructional schedules based on student IEPs, therapeutic recommendations, and functional learning priorities.
• Coordinate the implementation of classroom programming among paraprofessionals and related service providers.
• Monitor fidelity of instructional implementation and ensure consistency among all classroom staff.
• Lead daily classroom team communication regarding instructional priorities, student needs, behavioral supports, medical considerations, and scheduling.
• Manage classroom resources, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and instructional materials.
• Create systems that ensure accurate collection of student performance data and documentation.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and welcoming classroom environment.
• Coordinate classroom preparation for absences caused by IEP meetings, multidisciplinary staffing meetings, family conferences, and compliance activities.
• Continuous evaluation of classroom effectiveness and implementing improvements that enhance student outcomes.

• Evaluate student progress toward IEP goals.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret educational data to guide instructional planning.
• Participate in reevaluation planning and eligibility discussions.
• Develop and maintain accurate, timely, and compliant educational records.
• Prepare IEP goals, present levels of performance, progress reports, and instructional documentation.
• Complete required reports within established timelines.
  
  Maintain confidentiality of all student records in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA (when applicable), IDEA, and Illinois School Student Records Act requirements.
• Use student outcome data to guide instructional programming and classroom decision making.

• Manage and evaluate the effectiveness of Paraprofessional staff assigned to the classroom.
• Provide ongoing coaching, modeling, feedback, and professional support to Paraprofessionals within classroom team.
• Clearly communicate instructional expectations and student-specific interventions.
• Delegate responsibilities based upon student needs and staff strengths.
• Monitor implementation of behavior intervention plans, communication systems, health protocols, and instructional accommodations.
• Support paraprofessional professional growth through modeling evidence-based instructional strategies.
• Collaborate with administration regarding staff performance, professional development needs, and classroom supports.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure services are integrated throughout the school day.
• Support implementation of school-wide initiatives, quality improvement efforts, and organizational goals.
• Model professionalism, flexibility, innovation, and solution-focused leadership.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution with a major in Special Education or a related field
• IL Professional Educator License
• Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS-1) endorsement
• 2-3 years Teaching experience in Special Education settings
• Experience teaching within a therapeutic day setting is preferred
• Strong understanding of IDEA, Illinois special education regulations, and IEP development.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to inclusive,…