Description

Position Title: Special Education Teacher

Department: UCAN Academy and High School 

Reports to: Academy South Principal 

About the Program:

Comprised of two campuses in the Humboldt Park and Auburn-Gresham communities, the UCAN Academy is an innovative kindergarten - 12th grade, year-round therapeutic day school. Collectively, the multi-accredited schools make up the one of the largest and most recognized therapeutic day school operations in Chicago. Students come from diverse and distinct backgrounds and have experienced difficulties in public or private school settings. Each youth has a unique set of needs that are met through the development and monitoring of their Individualized Education Plan. They are enrolled from Chicago Public Schools and several suburban districts, and many have become discouraged about learning. Our goal is to help them to see schooling in a positive light and to reach their highest potential. Our small class sizes of 10 students with a 5:1 student to staff ratio are geared to small teaching sessions and equipped to meet students' individual learning needs.

Position Objective and Summary:

Under the direction of the Principal, the Teacher works with a group of students, employing specific training skills to conduct special educational activities.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: 

Developing Individual Education Programs

• Develops and implements curriculum to meet physical, emotional and creative needs of students in an environment where they feel safe, valued and respected.
• Plans specific educational and developmental activities and a schedule of activities within program outline - appropriate to the age level of the assigned students.
• Diagnose educational needs using Kaufman method.
• Develops IEP based on the student’s unique situation.
• Develops IEP that identifies both short and long-term learning and behavioral goals.
• Creates classroom lesson plans in accordance with students’ IEPs. 

Instructional Effectiveness

• Uses educational/therapeutic materials and methods, and plans for their appropriate use to promote the social, intellectual, emotional and physical growth of the assigned students.
• Establishes learning objectives and uses pre-planning and classroom teaching to accomplish those objectives.
• Involves all students by utilizing a variety of educational methods to meet students’ individual learning styles.
• Explains directions and models desired student performance.
• Monitors student progress and adjusts instruction based on that progress.
• Establishes closure by summarizing content and fits into context what has been taught.
• Selects, maintains and inventories educational supplies, and controls utilization of equipment and materials. 

Promotes Orderly Behavior

• Promotes orderly behavior throughout the school and clearly defines expected student behavior by encouraging positive behavior and controlling negative behavior.
• Uses appropriate therapeutic methods to promote the social and emotional growth of the students.
• Remains calm at all times and uses appropriate language with students and coworkers.
• Maintains orderly behavior during class, class transitions and meal breaks.
• Is able to contain children using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Utilizes Crisis Intervention staff appropriately. 

Building Relationships and Networks

• Maintains relations with casework/social work staff and supports and encourages students to achieve a strengthening of the total agency relationship.
• Establishes rapport with students and parents.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with coworkers and all agency personnel.
• Actively listens to others and their points of view.
• Maintains regular contact with parents by making a minimum of one phone call per month to each parent.
• Keeps parents regularly informed about their child’s progress and areas for improvement.
• Builds to strengthen the relationship between the school and parents. 

Documentation

• Prepares a documented lesson plan and emergency lesson plan for each school day.
• Keeps appropriate individual records, attendance records, and student assessments as designated.
• Produces an IEP annual report for each student in a timely manner and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Maintains a current and up-to-date parent log and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Completes student report cards in a timely manner and in a format consistent with school requirements.
• Observes functioning of students and keeps appropriate individual records, attendance records, and student assessments as designated; prepares, distributes and grades examinations.

Outside Staffing's

• Attends and participates in outside staffing's to meet the educational needs of the students.
• Completes required paperwork for all staffing's.
• Arrives at staffing's prepared and on time.
• Works cooperatively with the other members of the educational team.
• Stays focused and on task in order to complete goals.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• Type 10 (ED/BD), LBS1 Unlimited or LBS1 Limited Certification.
• Experience in and ability to teach all subject matter in a self-contained environment. 

Summary

At UCAN, we prioritize the health and well-being of our team, as it is essential to our mission of serving the community. Our competitive benefits package is designed to help you and your family thrive. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of the benefits we offer.

Benefits You Can Choose From:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary Accident Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Tuition Reimbursement

Benefits Provided at No Cost to You:

• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Group Long-Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

UCAN is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages candidates with lived experience and diverse backgrounds to apply.