Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teacher – Distinctive Schools

Location 1309 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL

Reports To Principal

Salary Starting Salary $65,390, commensurate with experience

Employee Type Regular Full Time

Start Date February 2026

The mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self‑advocate, and a creative problem‑solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.

Special Education Teachers are responsible for practices and behaviors demonstrating necessary teaching competencies, effective classroom management, positive personal qualities, and other instructional matters. The role ensures all students have equal instructional opportunities and creates environments in which teaching and learning are challenging, dynamic, and comprehensive. Instruction of the essential curriculum for each teacher’s discipline is grounded in the understanding that the aim of education is personal growth, the development of individual talents, abilities, and values;

the acquisition of knowledge; and the pursuit of understanding.

• Maintain a student‑centered perspective in decision making
Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things
• Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making
• Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong arī relationships with students, families, and staff
• Foster a strengths‑based, equity focused mindset
• Foster positive climate and culture
• Serve as a positive role model

• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, families, and community members
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly
• Maintain positive relationships with students, parents, and colleagues
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students’ progress and development
• Professional Commitment: has good attendance and regularly participates in all staff, department, and committee meetings in addition to other school/district events
• Plan and supervise assignments for paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers, and make written evaluation as required
• Inform families regarding student progress, the instructional program, and other school issues
• Complete and update compliance‑related Special Education tasks in accordance with state and federal mandates

• Work closely with team members and families to best meet student needs
• Support classroom procedure (classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, and performance of non‑instructional duties occur smoothly)
• Support student behavior (standards of conduct appear to be clear to students, and the teacher monitors students’ behavior against those standards; the teacher’s response to student misbehavior is appropriate and respects the student’s dignity)

• Serve as primary instructor for students with identified learning needs in a variety of settings
• Develop lessons that address students’ academic, interpersonal, social and emotional needs
• Provide research‑based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
• Develop and implement annual IEP plans for students to include present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals
• Make collaboration a priority with members of the IEP team
• Monitor progress to ensure all students are demonstrating high rates of growth
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students’ progress and development
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse social‑emotional, cultural, economic and ability backgrounds

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s Degree

• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in the state of employment (IL or MI)
• Valid Special Education License in the state of employment (IL or MI)

Physical Demands Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kne