Special Education Teacher-Functional Life Skills Program

Thomas Paine Elementary School; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Thomas Paine Elementary School in Urbana, IL is seeking a Special Education Teacher for the Functional Life Skills Program. You will provide high-quality instruction based on frequent assessment and data analysis within a structured environment to promote student growth.

Responsibilities include coordinating the IEP process, collaborating with general education staff and related services, writing IEPs, monitoring services, and training teaching assistants while maintaining accurate records.

Qualifications

• Illinois Educator License with LBS1 endorsement.
• Two years of school-based experience preferred.
• Willingness to become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and to implement restraints safely per district/state rules.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with general education staff, related service personnel, parents, teaching assistants, and students to ensure each student on the caseload receives an appropriate education.
• Coordinate the IEP process: writing, facilitating meetings, monitoring services, eligibility determinations, and maintaining records.
• Assess students’ performance using formal and informal measures and use data for instructional decisions and IEP goals.
• Design instruction aligned to general education curriculum, standards, and student needs.
• Maintain a positive, student-centered learning environment and model respectful interactions.
• Provide direct instruction as written in the IEP.
• Complete progress monitoring of academic and functional goals.
• Consult with staff on accommodations and modifications per IEP.
• Train and supervise Teaching Assistants to meet student needs.
• Maintain proactive communication with families through conferences and reports.
• Participate in district PD opportunities.
• Support students requiring physical assistance as outlined in the IEP.
• Participate in field trips and related activities.

Skills

Highly organized

Excellent communication

Collaboration skills

Problem solver

Education

Illinois Educator License, endorsement LBS1

Job description

Special Education Teacher-Functional Life Skills Program

Urbana School District #116 Thomas Paine Elementary School - Urbana, Illinois Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5974996

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Oct 28, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Urbana School District #116

TITLE: Special Education Teacher-Functional Life Skills Program

LOCATION: Thomas Paine Elementary

SUPERVISOR: Building Administrator, Executive Director for Student Services, Assistant Director of Student Services, or Special Education Administrator

SUPERVISES: Teaching Assistants

JOB SUMMARY: The Special Education Teacher is responsible for providing high-quality instruction based on frequent assessment and data analysis and providing services through a structured and supportive environment that provides for student growth. Consultation with general education teachers and related service personnel, serving as case managers, and training and monitoring of teaching assistants are also priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Collaborate with general education staff, related service personnel, parents, teaching assistants, and students to ensure each student on the caseload receives an appropriate comprehensive education.
• Coordinate the IEP process, which includes but is not limited to writing the IEP, facilitating IEP meetings, monitoring and ensuring the provision of services, participating in the eligibility determination process, and maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records for all students on caseload.
• Assess students’ performance through formal and informal measures and use data for instructional decision-making and IEP goal planning.
• Design clear, well-organized, and relevant instruction that is aligned to the general education curriculum, common core standards, students’ needs, ability levels, interests, classroom performance, and assessment results.
• Establish and maintain a learning environment where students are engaged in meaningful learning experiences, staff functions as a team, and decision-making is student-centered and individualized. Provide a positive model of appropriate and respectful interactions.
• Provide direct instruction to students as written in the IEP.
• Complete progress monitoring of academic and functional goals.
• Consult and collaborate with staff members about student needs and progress to implement necessary accommodations and modifications as outlined in the IEP to ensure access to the general education curriculum.
• Train, monitor, and supervise Teaching Assistants to meet the needs of all students.
• Maintain positive communication with parents through conferences, reports, IEP meetings, and other means as necessary; document contacts.
• Participate in professional development opportunities presented within the district or offered outside of the district.
• Support students who require physical assistance such as transporting, lifting, self-care (toileting), hygiene, medical needs, or other assistance as outlined in the IEP and appropriate in the educational setting.
• Participate in special activities such as, but not limited to, field trips and vocational and aquatic center activities.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Illinois Educator License, endorsement LBS1

EXPERIENCE

• Two years of school-based experience preferred

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, maintain certification, and implement physical restraints safely and according to TCI and District requirements and State and Federal Laws.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Highly organized
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent problem solver

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.

EVALUATION: To be completed by the building administrator or district special education administrator

START DATE: ASAP

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED: February2025

Position Type: 1.0 FTE

Job Categories:

Special Education > General Special Education

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

• Megan Kirby , Principal
• Thomas Paine Elementary School
• Email: [e-mail]