Special Education Teacher at The Connect Academy – Carol Stream, Illinois

This position is for the 26-27 School Year with a start date of August 10th. The Connect Academy is an organization with multiple campuses. All campuses have open positions posted for the next year. Connect Academy Carol Stream is a PreK-8 building servicing students with challenging, sometimes aggressive behaviors. The High School campus is located in Addison. The Lombard location serves PreK-3 students with autism who are nonverbal/minimally verbal as a bridge to public elementary school. ReConnect serves general education students as an alternative setting, often in lieu of expulsion. All provide comprehensive therapeutic services to address social-emotional and functional needs to support access to learning in addition to standards-based academics.

Special Education Teacher Job Description

Employment Type: Full-time | Exempt

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

License/Certification:

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

Other Requirements:

Background Check, Physical Exam