We're Growing Our School Team! Join Helping Hand as an Instructional Coach and help transform the lives of children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through genuine care, mentorship, and education.

At Helping Hand, we believe every student deserves a supportive, engaging, and empowering learning environment and that every educator deserves to feel valued, supported, and inspired. The Instructional Coach plays a key role within the Helping Hand School, supporting Teachers (LBS1) and Lead Instructional Teaching Assistants (LITAs) through mentorship, coaching, training, and collaboration. This role partners closely with school leadership to ensure high-quality educational programming, strong classroom management practices, and meaningful student outcomes.

This position is ideal for someone who:

• Loves supporting and developing educators
• Thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment
• Is passionate about special education and inclusive learning
• Enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping teams grow
• Wants to make a lasting impact on both students and other team members

While this position does not directly supervise any team members, it requires a strong leader to ensure teachers and LITAs are trained, supported, and mentored in the classroom management process, along with understanding expectations and how to run a quality classroom.

SCHEDULE AND COMPENSATION:

• On-site position, weekdays, 40 hours per week
• Salary range $75,000-$80,000/year (Salary/Exempt).
• Salary based on skills and experience.
• Up to 8% annual bonus potential
• 403b retirement plan with up to a 4% company match.

HELPING HAND PERKS:

• Purpose-driven work that changes lives.
• Tuition reimbursement and clear career growth opportunities.
• Traditional medical (BCBS of IL), dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid Group Life/AD&D, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability.
• Team member appreciation events and year-round recognition.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness support.
• Generous PTO including paid holidays, personal time, paid school breaks, and accrued sick time.
• PSLF-qualifying employer under the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Mentor and coach teachers and classroom teams.
• Support classroom management, instructional strategies, and student programming.
• Help onboard and train new educational team members.
• Model effective teaching and behavioral support techniques.
• Collaborate on IEP implementation, student programming, and educational planning.
• Foster a positive, supportive, and engaging school culture.
• Partner with families, districts, therapists, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Promote the "Helping Hand Way" through leadership, accountability, and collaboration.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU BRING:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field required, Master's degree preferred.
• LBS1 K-12 endorsement with ISBE (Professional Educators License) PEL

Experience:

• 3 years of experience teaching children with Autism or other intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• One year of management, supervision, and leadership of diverse teams preferred.
• Classroom management experience.
• Knowledge of ISBE regulations and other academic accreditations.
• Comprehensive experience and understanding of the IEP, Transition Planning process, and requirements.
• Knowledge in learning and instructional methods, coupled with the capacity to model a diverse range of effective teaching strategies and styles.

Skill Sets:

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to fulfill all necessary training requirements of the agency, including but not limited to, crisis management (including de-escalation strategies and physical management techniques) within 90 days of hire if applicable.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
• Ability to provide, receive, and implement feedback.
• Ability to work with students of all ages within the classroom environment.
• Ability to promote and adhere to company values.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The person in this position needs to occasionally move about to assist students, access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• The ability to observe details at a close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Consistently position oneself to maintain files in file cabinets or assist students.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so that others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in all situations.
• The person in this position may encounter students exhibiting physical aggression; they must be comfortable working in periods of crisis and feel comfortable de-escalating individually or as a team.
• Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record and proof of ongoing personal motor vehicle insurance.

Helping Hand is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that embracing our differences strengthens our community and enhances the quality of care we provide.