Job Description

Title: Special Education Teacher
Location: CICS Bucktown- 2235 N Hamilton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Reports To: Principal
Salary: Starting salary for certified teachers starts at $70,000
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: August 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.

Position Overview

Special Education Teachers are responsible for practices and behaviors which demonstrate necessary teaching competencies, effective classroom management, positive personal qualities, and other instructional matters. The role of the Special Education Teacher is to ensure that all students have equal instructional opportunities and to create environments in which teaching and learning are challenging, dynamic, and comprehensive. The teaching of the essential curriculum of 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.

Responsibilities

Culture

• 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 relationships with students, families, and staff
• Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset
• Foster positive climate and culture
• Serve as a positive role model

Professional Responsibilities

• 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

Classroom Management and Organization

• Work closely with team members and families to best meet the needs to students
• 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 students’ dignity)

Instructional Strategies

• 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 Individualized Educational Program (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

Requirements (minimum)

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Qualifications

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

Physical demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing

Benefits

• 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191

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