Special Education Cross-Categorical Teacher; K-1

Special Education Cross-Categorical Teacher (K-1)

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Position Summary

The Special Education Teacher is responsible for providing specialized instruction and support
to students with disabilities in Kindergarten and 1st Grade in accordance with their
Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This position collaborates with classroom teachers,
families, and support staff to promote academic achievement, communication, social-emotional
development, independence, and positive school experiences. The teacher plays a critical role
in implementing individualized instruction, accommodations, interventions, and behavioral
supports while fostering a safe, structured, and inclusive learning environment where all
students can succeed.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Embrace and help grow the mission of Pleasant Valley which is to "engage, inspire, and empower each student towards academic excellence and citizenship."
• Provide specialized instruction aligned to Illinois Learning Standards and individualized student needs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in accordance with federal, state, and district requirements.
• Deliver developmentally appropriate instruction that supports early literacy, mathematics, communication, social-emotional learning, and functional skill development.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse academic, developmental, behavioral, and functional needs of students.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, and interventions as outlined in student IEPs.
• Collaborate with general education teachers to support student success in inclusive classroom settings whenever appropriate.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze student performance data to monitor progress toward IEP goals and guide instructional decisions.
• Conduct progress monitoring and complete all required special education documentation in a timely manner.
• Support students in developing communication, independence, self-regulation, social skills, and positive classroom behaviors.
• Utilize positive behavior supports, restorative practices, and trauma-informed strategies to support student success.
• Establish and maintain a safe, structured, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment.
• Collaborate with administrators, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, intervention staff, and other related service providers to support student needs.
• Participate in IEP meetings, eligibility meetings, reevaluations, multidisciplinary conferences, and other student support meetings.
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress, interventions, attendance, behavior, and educational goals.
• Supervise paraprofessionals assigned to students or classrooms as applicable and provide guidance regarding instructional and behavioral supports.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student records and information in accordance with FERPA and other applicable laws.
• Supervise students in classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, arrival, dismissal, and other school settings as assigned.
• Participate in professional development, school improvement efforts, and district initiatives as applicable.
• Other duties as assigned by administration.

Qualifications & Skills

• Must hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) endorsement.
• Must have a positive attitude and positive approach to meeting the needs of all students.
• Demonstrate understanding of child development and age-appropriate instructional practices.
• Demonstrate strong classroom management using consistent expectations, positive behavior supports, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
• Ability to build positive relationships with students, families, and staff.
• Display fair judgment, time management, and an ability to prioritize.
• Organized and able to multitask.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with students of varying academic, developmental, behavioral, communication, and social-emotional needs.
• Demonstrates consistent attendance, reliability, and professionalism.

Preferred Experience

• Early childhood or primary elementary special education.
• Reading and mathematics intervention.
• Inclusive classroom practices and co-teaching models.
• Progress monitoring and data collection.
• IEP development and compliance.
• Positive behavior supports and trauma-informed educational practices.
• Working with students from diverse academic, behavioral, developmental, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and actively supervise students for extended periods of time.
• Ability to assist students with educational, developmental, behavioral, and functional needs as required by their IEPs.
• Ability to lift, carry, or move instructional materials and classroom equipment as needed.
• Ability to respond quickly and appropriately to behavioral, medical, or safety situations.

Salary &…