Alternative Education Teacher

Experience Champaign Urbana; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Urbana School District #116 is looking for an Alternative Education Teacher to support students unable to participate in traditional classroom settings. The teacher will be responsible for implementing individual education plans, utilizing various behavioral strategies, and creating an inclusive learning environment.

The ideal candidate must have a Bachelor's degree with relevant licenses and a strong desire to work with diverse student populations. Experience in alternative education and familiarity with restorative practices are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Valid Illinois Teaching License with appropriate endorsements.
• Experience teaching in alternative settings preferred.
• Desire to work with students with special needs.

Responsibilities

• Support individual students and small groups in alternative education.
• Develop individualized educational plans for students.
• Maintain a trusting and respectful classroom environment.

Skills

Culturally relevant instruction

Collaboration with counselors

Knowledge of behavioral strategies

Restorative practices

Social-emotional learning instruction

Education

Bachelor's degree with teaching license

Job description

Urbana School District #116

Title

Alternative Education Teacher

Location

Urbana Middle School

Supervisor

Executive Director of Secondary Multilingual & Alternative Programs or Designee

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Executive Director or Designee, the teacher is responsible for fully supporting the goals of the alternative education program. Under the general direction of the Executive Director or Designee, the teacher will reinforce instruction to individual students and small groups in a variety of academic subjects and other learning activities, including implementing personal education plans and behavior plans. The teacher will utilize various behavioral strategies and alternative programs. The Alternative program is a temporary educational placement for students unable to be in the regular classroom setting due to academic, social/emotional, or disciplinary needs. Students are assigned to report to the Alternative Education Program as scheduled through their individual alternative education plan. The teacher is responsible for providing educational services to the students as outlined below.

Essential Functions

• Meets and instructs classes, small groups, or individual students in the designated locations and times.
• Assists in the development and implementation of individualized plans for students.
• Demonstrates effective preparation for instruction.
• Works collaboratively with school and agency counselors, teachers, administrators, parents, and related service providers in the overall educational plan for students, including lessons that address the students' behavioral needs.
• Creates a classroom environment that is culturally relevant and conducive to learning utilizing non-traditional methods appropriate to the students' maturity and interests.
• Prepares for classes assigned and shows written evidence of preparation upon request by immediate superior.
• Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
• Establishes a trusting and respectful environment that fosters risk-taking and enhances positive student self-concept.
• Is a proponent of and knowledgeable/competent in restorative and general instructional practices.
• Designs social‑emotional learning instruction that is clear, well‑organized, and accurate to the needs of each student.
• Teaches clear behavioral expectations to students and checks for understanding and improvement.
• Addresses student behavior in an organized, fair, and consistent manner.
• Collaborates with parents, support staff, and others to develop and carry out a plan to improve student behavior.
• Guides the learning process toward achievement of curriculum goals in harmony with the goals established for each student and gives a clear objective for all lessons, units, projects, and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Applies knowledge gained from staff development and professional education literature when designing instruction.
• Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
• Assesses the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required.
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulation.
• Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student conduct. Develop reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure and maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher assistants and volunteers.
• Strives to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attends staff meetings and in‑service activities as required.
• Serves on staff committees as required.
• Maintain professional relationships with students and faculty, follow the teaching profession's ethics, and promote students' welfare at all times.
• Teaches instructions using knowledge of developmental characteristics of age groups.
• Provides clear academic expectations and success criteria that allow students to self‑monitor progress.
• Provides students with timely feedback on assignments and assessments.
• Works cooperatively with all staff, administration, parents, and community.
• Responds professionally to conflict.
• Treats people individually, irrespective of race, gender, or socio‑economic background.
• Uses discretion in handling confidential information and difficult situations.
• Demonstrates punctuality in arrival and departure times from the building, classes, and meetings. Demonstrates consistent attendance.
• Informs administrators and appropriate personnel of school‑related concerns and difficulties as they arise.
• Maintains professional relationships with students and faculty, follows the ethics of the teaching profession, and promotes the welfare of students at all times.
• Attends and participates in training related to the job summary and essential functions of this position (e.g., restorative practices, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, bullying prevention, etc.).

Additional Responsibilities

Teachers may assume additional roles and responsibilities within the school and/or district on a voluntary or compensatory basis as described in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and/or in agreement with the principal and/or assistant principal(s).

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with licensure and/or endorsement at least one of the core teaching areas, specifically at the middle school or high school level.

Experience

• Previous experience teaching students at the middle school level/high school level desired.
• Previous experience teaching in alternative settings is desired.
• Experience with credit recovery programs (e.g., APEX, Exact Path).

Other Skills and Abilities

The ideal candidate would strongly desire to work with students with special education, multilingual students, and/or students with interrupted formal schooling in order to serve all students in this position.

Licenses/Credentials

Valid Illinois Teaching License with the appropriate endorsements specific to the teaching area.

Terms of Employment

• Salary and Benefit information can be found on the Human Resources webpage. There are many opportunities for employees to earn additional compensation (stipends, differentials, extra duty pay, etc.) during the regular school year and in the summer.
• This is a position within the collective bargaining unit and is not an administrative position.
• This is an exempt position.
• Student Contact Days and other days stipulated on the work calendar in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

Start Date

School Year 2026-2027

Evaluation

Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of professional personnel.

Revised

April 2027