Special Education Teacher

Join an award-winning, innovative school that is student focused and provides a unique and collaborative team environment.

Exemption Status: Exempt

School Schedule: Year-Round Academic Sessions with Scheduled Breaks and

Reduced Summer Hours

Reports to: Principal of Walsh Academy

Primary Location: Niles, Illinois

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a Special Education Teacher you would maintain responsibility for a classroom size of approximately 8-10 secondary level students with focus including but are not limited to:

• Maintaining responsibility for the supervision and coordination of the classroom environment (including students, instructional assistants, and other support staff).
• Developing school curriculum within the self-contained classroom environment.
• Responsible for delivery instruction at various educations levels within classroom to ensure every student’s is provided the opportunity to be academically and vocationally successful.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Maintains the required educational certifications and training required of all Walsh Academy employees as well as those professional certifications and endorsements required by ISBE;
• Will be a committed team member of the Walsh Academy staff through their attendance, active meeting participation, proactive and professional demeanor within all discussions, and ability to perform in a solution focused manner;
• Ability to recognize and proactively react to conditions which, potentially, may alter the effectiveness of the whole program and/or their specific job responsibilities;
• Is a strong communicator and can adjust appropriately to ensure a level of professionalism to their varying audiences (students, team members, parents/guardians, administration, external contacts, etc.)
• Has a demonstrated ability to follow through on all behavior programs developed in conjunction with therapists, and other educational and therapeutic personnel at team meetings or IEP conferences;
• Understands and complies with all needs/requests to complete all appropriate documentation including but not limited to progress and completion reports of student work; grade reports; and progress updates at designated times or when requested to do so by administrative team members;
• Understands and adheres to policies involving reporting of suspected and known abuse of students, and maintains appropriate confidentiality regarding all information about students;

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred, in Education (Special Education) from an accredited college or university;
• Illinois Professional Educator License with Learning Behavioral Specialist (LBSl) endorsement.

Skills /Knowledge:

• Must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and willing to successfully test and pass bus driving license;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Basic computer proficiency including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite of programs;
• Knowledge of Individualized Education Plan (IEP) eligibility, planning, and instruction;
• Knowledge of service delivery options and documentation of service delivery;
• Knowledge of crisis intervention procedures;
• Demonstrated time management skills in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines.

Physical Demands:

• Required to frequently sit, stand, bend, stoop, walk and drive for extended periods; able to walk up and down stairs;
• Required to occasionally lift/move objects and/or youth weighing in excess of 40 pounds;
• Must possess the ability to provide physical restraint for students threatening to harm themselves or others;
• Must have the visual, hearing, and learning capabilities sufficient to perform the essential functions defined above;
• Must participate in physical education activities with the students and, if necessary physically interact (intervene) with students.
• Position requires frequent to continuous work on a computer which requires employee to possess the manual dexterity to operate equipment.

Environment and Scheduling:

• Work is performed during school and vocational program days and hours;
• Work may be performed off-site during required remote learning days or in situations when in person learning is deemed unsafe;
• Work is performed in and in association with Walsh Academy, hospital, and residential programs/settings as well as in an administrative office setting;
• Duties involve contact with students who may be verbally and physically threatening, aggressive, suicidal and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Walsh Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or disability.