Principal, Special Needs ​/ Learning Disabilities

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

The Children’s Development Center (CDC) is a private, non-public, specialized school recognized by the State of Illinois. We serve students across Illinois school districts with a variety of educational needs and disabilities including vision loss, traumatic brain injury, autism, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities. This therapeutic day school provides one-on-one attention and a high staff-to-child ratio, offering the support needed for students to access the common core curriculum and develop capabilities for increased independence.

There are currently 24 students and 36 staff.

Our program individually addresses each student’s educational needs. Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) are developed in collaboration with the local school district, staff, parents and students. These needs are determined by formal assessment scales and through evaluations by certified learning behavior specialists. Additional support is provided by speech language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, orientation and mobility specialists, teachers of the visually impaired and teachers of the hearing impaired, as needed.

The Principal of the Children’s Development Center provides leadership, management and supervision that promotes learning for students, parents and school staff. Facilitates a safe, nurturing, learner-centered environment. Performs data-driven decision making and is attentive to change processes, best practices, conflict resolution and effective team-building. Demonstrates the ability to lead a complex, dynamic, collaborative learning community which prioritizes students and learning. Directs student recruitment efforts by providing community in-services and maintaining relationships with potential referral sources such as school districts, special education cooperatives and agencies serving children with disabilities.

• Develop and implement comprehensive special education services for students from referring school districts.
• Develop a consistent framework for learning through effective management of curriculum, methodology, and instructional strategies.
• Create a continuous improvement cycle that employs multiple forms of data and student work samples to support individual, team and school-wide improvement goals.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of instructional improvement activities related to learning outcomes.
• Identify and implement staff development activities.
• Perform and monitor activities related to instructional improvement.
• Continuously evaluate curriculum and instructional activities of educators, support personnel and paraprofessionals.
• Ensure Instructional Educational Plans are completed.
• Drive the strategy for youth transitioning out of our therapeutic day school.
• Maintain a safe, clean and orderly atmosphere and an effective learning environment.
• Develop a culture of high expectations and achievement for students and staff.
• Monitor compliance with contractual agreements.
• Create and support an environment that values, understands and accepts diversity in culture and opinions.
• Develop a collaborative school community in which school staff, families and referring district personnel interact regularly and share ownership for the success of the school.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of instruction and of individual teacher performance by conducting periodic formal and informal observations and assessments, accompanied by feedback.
• Maintain a professional environment by encouraging collaborative relationships between all staff, including teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals and administrators.
• Monitor compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• Develop and implement initiatives for recognition of students and staff performance.
• Maintain effective communication channels with staff, students and parents.
• Ensure training, development and support for school staff to advance student learning and performance.

• Assists in recruitment, interviews and selection of professional and educational support staff.
• Assign and supervise all staff and establish their role, function, duties and tasks.
• Perform staff performance assessments.
• Identify staff professional development needs for staff and implement a plan and activities to meet those needs.
• Recommend appropriate…