Special Education Teacher

Young World Physical Education; Harvard (IL); On-site; USD 44,500 - 78,850; Full time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education is looking for a Special Education Teacher to join their team at Harvard Junior High School. The ideal candidate will support students with disabilities by implementing specialized instructional strategies and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). This full-time position requires bilingual communication skills in English and Spanish.

The teacher will collaborate with a diverse team to foster a positive learning environment and advocate for student needs. The salary ranges from $44,500 to $78,850 based on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate a record of effectiveness in teaching.
• Excellent planning and organization skills required.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others needed.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized instruction based on IEP goals.
• Communicate effectively with students and families.
• Assess student progress and provide feedback.

Skills

Bilingual communication

Classroom management

Curriculum development

Education

Professional Educator License (PEL)

BLS1 Endorsement

Bilingual preferred

Job description

Job Title

Special Education Teacher

Location

Harvard Community Unit School District 50, Harvard Junior High School, Harvard, Illinois

Starting Date

August 3, 2026

Job Summary

The Bilingual Special Education Teacher will work collaboratively with a diverse team to provide high-quality educational services to students with disabilities, ensuring a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This role requires effectively communicating with students and families in both English and Spanish, advocating for students’ individual needs while implementing specialized instructional strategies. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of both special education and bilingual education, along with a passion for supporting students in achieving their full potential. Responsibilities include developing and modifying curricula, assessing student progress, and creating individualized education plans (IEPs), all while fostering positive relationships with students, families, and staff.

Qualifications

• Professional Educator License (PEL) or eligible for appropriate license
• BLS1 Endorsement
• Bilingual preferred

Evaluation

This job’s performance will be evaluated per provisions of the Board’s policy on the Evaluation of Staff.

Reports To

Building Principal

Terms of Employment

This is a 9‑month position—salary and benefits established by the Board of Education. The position retains the Harvard Education Association membership and is part of the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Compensation and Benefits

The details of employee compensation and benefits are comprehensively outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a document accessible at https://www.cusd50.org/page/careers.

Position Type: Full‑Time

Salary: $44,500 to $78,850

FLSA Status

Exempt

Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitates students’ learning in correlation with the Illinois Learning Standards
• Provides research‑based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s IEP
• Communicates the essential questions to clarify the learning goals for each lesson
• Configures lessons and selects instructional strategies with the intent of ensuring that all students can answer a lesson’s essential question by its conclusion
• Designs daily lessons incorporating Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and/or Reading (WICOR) to ensure authentically rigorous learning experiences for all students
• Designs lessons to include three or more unique learning tasks for students, at least one of which includes whole‑class verbal participation
• Assess student progress towards objectives, expectations, and/or goals to provide feedback to students, parents, and administration
• Demonstrates the ability to individually assess and monitor the students’ skills in their native language and English
• Creates and nurtures supportive, student‑centered classroom communities that promote personal empowerment, academic growth, and the social‑emotional well‑being of all learners
• Manages student behavior to provide a safe and optimal learning environment
• Provides students with regular opportunities to collaborate with peers, move with purpose, and experience diverse instructional strategies so that they are physically and intellectually engaged as learners
• Provides students time to interact with instructional resources and materials in a thoughtful, active manner to support their comprehension and long‑term retention of information
• Allows students to take an active role in their learning by setting and monitoring individualized goals and processing and reflecting deliberately within lessons
• Develops and implements each student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) and manages the individual caseload
• Supports classroom teachers in writing each student’s IEP and collaborating with colleagues to ensure appropriate modifications or accommodations
• Assists and supports students struggling with social‑emotional and behavioral concerns through the MTSS framework
• Incorporates cultural diversity and appreciation within the curriculum
• Uses technologies appropriately in the teaching/learning process
• Participates in a professional learning community with various stakeholders, including instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and community resources to improve the overall quality of student outcomes, achieving established classroom objectives supporting the school improvement plan
• Participates in various meetings and professional development activities to convey and/or gather information required to perform functions
• Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively with parents and community agencies to promote second language acquisition
• Serves as primary contact for the parent. Participates in Initial evaluations and reevaluations
• Provides direction, supervision, and evaluation of educational assistants as directed
• Completes all district and state reporting requirements
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as determined by the principal or designee or as needs arise

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must demonstrate a record of effectiveness in their own teaching
• Must have excellent planning and organization skills
• Must have the ability to work collaboratively with others
• Must have strong verbal communication skills
• Must model a desire and willingness to learn continually

Physical Demands

The physical demands of this position include frequent sitting and standing for extended periods. Repetitive bending at the waist and kneeling, stooping, and crouching to assist students are also required. Regularly walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand‑held learning devices, and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

ADA

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

Contact Information

• Patrick Podgorski, Principal
• Harvard Junior High School
• Email: [e-mail]