Special Education Teacher 

Revised 4/17/24

About the District

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is a PK-8 elementary school district serving the students of Oak Park in Cook County, Illinois. Oak Park is a village in Cook County, Illinois, adjacent to Chicago. It is the 29th-most populous municipality in Illinois with a population of 54,583 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. The district consists of 8 elementary schools and 2 middle schools which serve 5,532 students. 

Oak Park School District is a highly diverse and welcoming school community for all. Our community has a history of being forward-thinking and inclusive. We are racially and economically diverse with about 46% of our students identifying as African-American, Hispanic, multiracial, or Asian. 

About the Role

In the role of a Special Education Teacher, your commitment to evidence-based instructional strategies and program planning will be pivotal in fostering the comprehensive development of students with diverse needs. Proficient in adapting the general education curriculum to address student's needs, you will create a balanced instructional program tailored to individual needs. Your expertise in assessment, progress monitoring, and adherence to Individual Education Programs (IEPs) will ensure accurate tracking of student development. Effective communication and collaboration with parents, administrators, and fellow educators will be a cornerstone, as will your administrative responsibilities, including meticulous record-keeping and compliance with state and federal regulations. 

Essential Skills and Responsibilities:

1. Instruction and Program Planning:

   1. Employ special educational strategies, including but not limited to scientific or evidence-based instruction, and techniques to improve the development of sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory. 

   2. Employ educational strategies and techniques to reinforce learning and meet the diverse needs of students.

   3. Modify and/or accommodate the general education curriculum based on specific instructional techniques and technologies identified as best practices.

   4. Plan and conduct activities that create a balanced program of instruction.

   5. In-depth knowledge of child guidance principles and practices specific to children with special education needs.

   6. Familiarity with classroom procedures and the ability to manage appropriate student conduct.

   7. Understanding of problems and concerns commonly faced by students with special needs.

   8. Proficient in research methods and adept at obtaining and providing instructional materials for special education services.

   9. Coordinate integration of students with special needs into the general education environment.

2. Assessment and Progress Monitoring:

   1. Establish and follow each student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) to promote educational, physical, social, and emotional development.

   2. Prepare progress reports and report card grades as appropriate.

   3. Maintain accurate and complete student records and prepare reports on child progress.

   4. Observe, evaluate, collect, and analyze data of students’ educational performance (academic, behavioral, communication).

   5. Administer identified district and state-required assessments and utilize and interpret student performance data to adjust instruction.

3. Communication and Collaboration:

   1. Collaborate and confer with parents, administrators, general education teachers, related service providers, and other school professionals and paraprofessionals.

   2. Serve as an informational resource for students, parents, and district personnel.

   3. Respond to inquiries and provide information, recommendations, and interpretation of student educational and social-emotional needs.

   4. Attend and actively participate in team meetings to discuss individual students’ needs and progress. Employ a problem-solving process to determine a course of intervention as prescribed by the district’s tiered interventions

   5. Confer with parents, administrators, and educational team members to develop individual educational plans designed to promote students’ educational, physical, and social/emotional development.

4. Administrative Responsibilities:

   1. Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports related to assigned activities and student progress and behavior.

   2. Provide official records for parents and District personnel as requested.

   3. Coordinate and conduct various team meetings and implement team recommendations as assigned.

   4. Skillful in record-keeping, data collection, and report preparation techniques.

5. Professional Development and Compliance:

   1. Provide instruction that meets state and federal laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

   2. Prepare data for local, state, and federal reports.

   3. Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to learn, improve and maintain instructional best practices as a special education teacher.

6. Supervision and Training:

   1. Train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.

   2. Organize and conduct in-services for parents or staff as directed.

7. Operational Duties:

   1. Operate a variety of office and classroom equipment, including a computer and assigned software.

   2. Monitor department expenditures as appropriate.

8. Additional Responsibilities:

   1. May be responsible for assisting students who have toileting and hygiene needs.

   2. Perform related duties as assigned.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree; one to two years related experience and/or training preferred. Must hold an appropriate valid Illinois Professional Educators License with appropriate LBS1 endorsement. Ideal candidates will have experience working with students who have low incidence disabilities.

• Certified de-escalation and restraint training expected.

Experience / Knowledge of: 

• Familiarity with applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures in the field of special education.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills, utilizing tact, patience, and courtesy.

• Competent in operating standard office and classroom equipment, including computers and assigned software.

• Capability to understand and relate to students with special needs.

• Adherence to District organization, operations, policies, and objectives, as well as department and program goals.

• Skillful interpretation, application, and explanation of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

• Effective communication, cooperation, and maintenance of cooperative working relationships with others.

• Accurate analysis of situations and adoption of effective courses of action.

• Ability to prioritize and schedule work efficiently.

• Proficient in maintaining records and preparing reports.

• Consistent, punctual, and regular attendance.

Physical Requirements: 

• Requires prolonged sitting or standing.

• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials.

• Occasional stooping, bending, and reaching.

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