Special Education Teacher

The Special Education Teacher will be responsible for leading a classroom of students with direct instruction and management of the classroom. They must have a master's degree and must meet the requirements of the licensing by ISBE. The Special Education Teacher must have a warm and friendly personality, be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, be able to relate well to children and employees, and be willing to fulfill responsibilities in accordance with the school's educational philosophy and policies. This position serves children with various physical, behavior and developmental challenges ranging in age from 3-21 years old.
RESPONSIBILITIES/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Implements the daily program through a consistent daily/weekly lesson plan.
Completes the lesson plan in a timely manner in case of any emergencies or substitutes that may have to follow the daily schedule.
Delivers specialized individual and group instruction.
Consults with other staff members that work directly with each of the students in order to better serve the students and their educational needs.
Assesses and documents each student's progress through formal and informal tests and measurements.
Writes and prepares annual review reports/goals for each student in accordance with their IEP dates.
Conducts and writes FBAs/BIPs.
Provides parent support and education.
Attends IEP/Domain and pre-IEP meetings for each individual student.
Plans and prepares the learning environment, setting up interest centers and preparing needs materials and supplies.
Follows the guidelines and needs of each of the individual students in the classroom.
Maintains professional attitudes and respect to the school.
Treats all children with dignity, compassion, empathy and respect.
Maintains confidentiality about children, their families, and other employees outside the school.
Supervises outside playground activities and field trips.
Assists the students in activities of daily living such as toileting, feeding, personal hygiene, dressing and diapering as needed.
Follows the safety guidelines and directives for the student in regards to functional mobility and orientation (i.e. transfers, wheelchair or walker mobility, etc.) and exercises provided by the related service providers (i.e. physical therapist, occupational therapist, orientation and mobility instructor).
Assists with any communication devices and assistive technology as outlined by the speech language pathologist and occupational therapist.
Collects data and completes reports regarding the student's behavior and development.
Follows any fire drill or safety guidelines outlined for each individual student.
Meets current objectives and positions the organization for future growth. Completes daily tasks and assignments and processes large volumes of work associated with the operation of the department.
Builds positive relationships based on respect for others. Demonstrates a helpful, positive attitude. Maintains effective communication with peers, medical staff, patients, visitors, and families.
Meets and exceeds expectations of internal and external customers. All organizational and departmental standards regarding quality of performance are met. Demonstrates a strong commitment to confidentiality. Participates in quality improvement programs as directed.
Demonstrates an awareness of and adherence to safety and legal requirements established with an emphasis on maintaining a safe environment.
Reports any accidents, injuries, and unsafe equipment and conditions to supervisor by the end of the shift and reports any pre-existing conditions as identified by the ADA.
Immediately reports and corrects, if possible, unsafe conditions or equipment.
Compiles with relevant regulations, standards and policies governing safe workplace environment (OSHA, JCAHO, etc.)
Maintains current knowledge of all aspects of the facility's safety program by attending safety-related training as mandated upon hire and thereafter as required by facility.
Accepts modified work assignments after receiving the physician's release to return to work following an accident/ injury.
Follows the prescribed/recommended treatment given by treating physician(s) after an accident/injury.
Participates in required professional, licensure and credentialing continuing educational programs.
Follows all facility guidelines outlining standards of attendance and punctuality. Responsible for reporting to and completing work at assigned times.
Performs other duties as assigned.

This position requires graduation from an accredited education program and an updated PEL teaching endorsement as an LBS I.
The teacher must be prepared to teach students with varying degrees of learning aptitudes such as, but not limited to learning disabilities, social/emotional disorders, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, autism, or traumatic brain injury.