K-5 Special Education Teacher

Ball--chatham-School-District; Chatham (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

BALL-CHATHAM CUSD #5 is seeking a K-5 Special Education Teacher to design and implement district-approved curricula for students with special needs in PREK-12. The role emphasizes creating a safe, engaging learning environment and meeting each student’s IEP goals.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree, an Illinois PEL with LBSI endorsement, and experience in differentiation and collaboration with families and staff. Salary follows the district’s certified schedule.

Qualifications

• Designs and implements district-approved curriculum for students with special needs.
• Revises plans to meet student needs and interests.
• Delivers differentiated instruction using varied teaching methods.
• Monitors progress toward IEP goals.

Responsibilities

• Plans and delivers engaging, standards-aligned lessons.
• Assesses student learning and adjusts instruction accordingly.
• Maintains student records and IEP progress documentation.
• Collaborates with parents and staff to support student outcomes.
• Maintains safe, respectful classroom environment.

Skills

Pedagogy expertise

Special education

Classroom management

Differentiated instruction

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Illinois PEL with LBSI

Master’s Degree in Education

Job description

BALL-CHATHAM CUSD #5

K-5 Special Education Teacher

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Building Principal, Special Education Administrator

WORK YEAR: 180 days

SALARY: Schedule A - Certified Salary Schedule 24/25-26/27

BENEFITS: 2026 BCSD Enrollment Guide

SUMMARY

The special education teacher designs and implements District-approved educational curriculum in one or more academic subjects appropriate for students with special needs in grades PREK-12 and provides a positive, safe, and academically challenging learning environment for all students.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises the behavior of all students in the classroom, throughout school grounds, and on educational trips.
• Supervises, directs, and supports volunteers and paraprofessionals in the classroom. Provides feedback to building administrator(s) regarding any performance concerns.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Plans, develops, and implements an engaging, age-appropriate course of study in the classroom including activities that require higher levels of thinking, adhering to educational best practices and state and school district curriculum guidelines.
• Revises plans on an ongoing basis, considering student needs, ability levels, and interests.
• Designs and presents differentiated instruction in one or more academic subjects using a variety of teaching techniques that appeal to various learning styles and methods.
• Develops and maintains a plan to assess whether presented material is understood using a variety of assessment techniques; uses the results to modify future instruction.
• Prepares materials for lessons, assignments, and tests; uses a wide variety of oral and written techniques; evaluates, corrects, and grades student performance.
• Establishes an environment enabling students to work without being disturbed by others; provides opportunities for each pupil to participate in a given activity.
• Moves about during lessons to establish, maintain, or re-establish pupil involvement.
• Uses technology suitable to the instructional goals to facilitate student engagement.
• Achieves a balance of teacher-centered and student-centered activities appropriate to the grade level and subject matter being taught.
• Facilitates a smooth transition from one activity to another by individuals or groups.
• Discusses academic difficulties or behavioral problems with students as they arise.
• Monitors student progress throughout the year and evaluates progress towards IEP goals.
• Communicates all progress and concerns with tact and professionalism to parents and, as appropriate, other faculty, staff, and/or principal.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with parents.
• Enforces safety and security standards for students, staff, and visitors.
• Handles classroom problems and seeks supportive help as warranted.
• Maintains required paperwork for individual student files, attendance and incident reports, special education records, and other necessary records.
• Monitors halls, study periods, and lunchrooms with other faculty and staff.
• Participates in faculty meetings, educational conferences, in-service opportunities, workshops, and other training seminars.
• Maintains knowledge of research, developments, and best practices in special education and in all taught academic subjects.
• Provides clear plans for a substitute teacher and has a substitute folder available with appropriate artifacts.
• Performs related tasks such as sponsoring student activities or organizations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Thorough understanding of pedagogy and the best practices of education.
• Desire to teach children with special needs and ability to adapt to their developmental status.
• Ability to design lessons that teach curriculum in an engaging manner, applying various teaching methods such as lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and individual or collaborative projects and research.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills to manage the classroom.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to maintain professionalism and tact in high-stress situations.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Creative analytical and problem-solving skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Mental Demands: frequently changes priorities quickly; ability to manage stress with multiple interruptions and distractions; analyzing; organizing; evaluating; planning; ability to redefine and clarify instructions; frequent presenting

Physical Demands: ability to operate standard office equipment, keyboards, and subject-specific equipment; combination of sedentary and non-sedentary duties; manual dexterity including fine manipulation for writing and typing; prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer or standing to teach; close visual acuity; frequent walking; occasional bending, bending, stooping, and standing; occasionally lifting and carrying 5-15 pounds; ability to read and write; ability to speak and understand the English language

Environmental Conditions: primarily indoor work in an educational setting; minimal exposure to weather conditions; working primarily independently; occasional exposure to excessive noise; occasional field trips; occasional evening events

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with content-specific endorsement(s): LBSI
• Ability to pass a criminal fingerprint background check

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s Degree in Education
• Previous teaching experience with middle-school aged students

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Salary and work year in accordance with the Ball-Chatham Education Association (BCEA) contract.

EEO STATEMENT

Ball-Chatham provides equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of their race; color; creed; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; age; ancestry; marital status; arrest record; military status; order of protection status; unfavorable military discharge; citizenship status provided the individual is authorized to work in the United States; use of lawful products while not at work; being a victim of domestic or sexual violence, or gender violence; genetic information; physical or mental handicap or disability, if otherwise able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation; pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; credit history, unless a satisfactory credit history is an established bona fide occupational requirement of a particular position; or other legally protected categories.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. This job description reflects the general requirements necessary to perform the job identified. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Revised 11/2023