Special Education Teacher

The Connect Academy; Lombard (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Match

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Pathways Academy is seeking a dedicated Special Education Teacher to serve nonverbal/minimally verbal students in a therapeutic day school in Illinois. The teacher will deliver individualized instruction, develop and implement IEPs, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to integrate therapeutic strategies into daily lessons.

Responsibilities include planning research-based instruction, maintaining documentation, coordinating services per IEP, and leveraging trauma-informed practices to

Qualifications

• Illinois teaching license in special education or equivalent.
• Experience developing and implementing IEPs.
• Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including related service providers.

Responsibilities

• Plans and implements instruction addressing IEP goals.
• Develops and implements annual IEPs with stakeholder collaboration.
• Monitors student progress through data collection and analysis.
• Maintains accurate documentation and compliance-related records.
• Works with a multidisciplinary team to align goals and supports.
• Coordinates and delivers all special education services per IEPs.

Skills

IEP development

Data collection

Collaboration

Behavior management

Trauma-informed care

Communication with parents

Education

LBS1 license

Early Childhood Special Education License

Job description

Description This position is for Pathways Academy, a program serving nonverbal/minimally verbal students with Autism PreK-2nd grade. This is a therapeutic day school serving up to 24 total students in 3 classrooms.

Description This position is for Pathways Academy, a program serving nonverbal/minimally verbal students with Autism PreK-2nd grade. This is a therapeutic day school serving up to 24 total students in 3 classrooms.

Special Education Teacher Job Description

Employment Type: Full-time | Exempts

Reports To: Site Administrator

Mission: The mission of our program is to provide our students with a high quality of education that offers instruction in both academic and social/emotional realms. The purpose of the academy is to provide students with social/emotional/behavioral issues a state-of-the-art therapeutic day program. Through hands‑on instructional experiences, as well as a therapeutic approach in art, music, and movement, the program is designated to meet all of the needs of this diverse student population.

Job Summary: The Special Education Teacher is responsible for delivering individualized instruction and managing a structured, supportive learning environment for students. They develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and integrate therapeutic strategies into daily lessons to support both academic progress and social‑emotional growth. The teacher uses evidence‑based practices, behavior management techniques, and differentiated instruction to meet diverse student needs, while fostering a safe, respectful, and engaging classroom atmosphere that promotes resilience, self‑regulation, and long‑term success.

Essential functions of the job may include but are not limited to the following:

• Plans and implements research‑based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).
• Develops and implements annual IEPs in compliance with state and federal regulations, ensuring meaningful collaboration with parents, related service providers, and team members.
• Assesses student progress through ongoing data collection and analysis, using data to inform instruction, measure growth, and determine the need for additional support or adjustments to instructional techniques.
• Employs a variety of teaching strategies, methods, and principles of learning to support the diverse academic and behavioral needs of students.
• Works cooperatively with a multidisciplinary team to develop and refine instructional goals, behavior supports, and therapeutic strategies tailored to individual student needs.
• Coordinates and ensures the delivery of all special education services as outlined in each student’s IEP.
• Maintains accurate and up‑to‑date documentation, including data tracking, progress reports, behavior logs, and compliance‑related paperwork.
• Creates a positive, structured, and individualized learning environment that fosters academic, emotional, and behavioral growth.
• Implements and monitors classroom behavior management systems aligned with individual student behavior intervention plans (BIPs) and school‑wide expectations.
• Participates in Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and contributes to the development and implementation of effective Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Utilizes trauma‑informed practices and de‑escalation strategies to support students with significant emotional and behavioral needs.
• Serves as the primary contact for parents/guardians and maintains regular, professional communication regarding student progress and needs.
• Provides supervision, direction, and constructive feedback to educational assistants and paraprofessionals as assigned.
• Collaborates closely with related service providers (e.g., social workers, occupational therapists, speech‑language pathologists) to integrate therapeutic support into academic instruction.
• Completes all school, and state reporting requirements accurately and in a timely manner.
• Engages in ongoing professional development to remain current on best practices in special education, trauma‑informed care, behavior management, and instructional methods.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) Match
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off

Requirements

License/Certification: Illinois State Board of Education LBS1 OR Early Childhood Special Education License (Required)

Other Requirements: Background Check, Physical Exam