Job Details

Perspectives Charter Schools Network is seeking Special Education Teachers for the 2024-2025 school year! 

To qualify for the Sign-On Bonus, candidates must be new applicants not considered for a similar role, and not currently employed by the organization in order to qualify. Candidates must also hold a Professional Educator's License with the Illinois State Board of Education. Bonus will be paid within 30 work days from the start date with signed agreement. There is a 1 year payback clause if employment ceases prior to first year anniversary.

About Perspectives Charter Schools

At Perspectives, our A Disciplined Life® education model teaches the whole child. We combine academic rigor, social emotional learning, and experiential opportunities to establish a culture of trust, curiosity and achievement. As one of the first charter schools in Illinois and founded by teachers, our mission is to provide students with a holistic, rigorous and relevant education, based on the ethical principles of A Disciplined Life®, preparing them for life in a changing world and helping them further become intellectually reflective, caring and ethical people engaged in a meaningful life. With 5 schools in three campuses, the Perspectives network has served public school students in grades 6 -12 on our city’s southside for over 20 years. Our scholars come from some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country, but they graduate from high school with a plan to enroll in college or trade school, and take with them the tools to persist in college and career. The keys to our success are our dedicated, hard‐working, creative, and compassionate colleagues.

LOCATION: South Loop, Bronzeville, Chatham

Teach Special Education at Perspectives, where we live A Disciplined Life®.

JOB PURPOSE

At Perspectives, we pride ourselves in the quality of supports that we give to our diverse learners. We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive education for all. Our special education teachers embody and teach our students how to live the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life® (our social emotional learning culture and curriculum) while also providing high-quality, rigorous instruction that is rooted in individualized education plans across a variety of settings. We truly believe that every student is capable of greatness, and we are committed to providing a caring community of dedicated staff that meet the diverse academic, emotional, and social needs of our scholars. Our ultimate goal is that we give our diverse learners an education that will allow them to be positive change agents in their communities and lead meaningful post-secondary lives.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Rigor

• Exhibit strong understanding of special education best practices to ensure students have the resources and accommodations they need to meet the goals in their Individualized Education Plans (IEPS)
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of specially designed instruction
• Construct data driven IEPs and monitor the implementation of IEPs for students on their caseload
• Attend all annual and tri-annual IEP meetings for students on caseload
• Collect data to evaluate progress made on IEP goals
• Implement effective progress monitoring to make instructional decisions that increase student growth
• Master content area and teach students in a clear and effective manner to drive academic achievement
• Make meticulous plans for units and lessons that address higher-order thinking skills, and use formative assessment to constantly adjust plans based on student needs
• Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of students with varying academic strengths and weaknesses
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal or other school leader

Social Emotional & Ethical Learning

• Engage in ongoing collaboration between general education teachers, special education teachers, clinicians, and paraprofessionals
• Demonstrate effective classroom management skills and builds a classroom culture based on the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life
• Build meaningful and professional relationships with students and families

Experiential Learning

• Participate in professional development and work collaboratively with instructional leaders to improve instructional practices

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Highly qualified in relevant subject areas according to the Illinois State Board of Education and licensed in special education (LBS I/II).
• Please still apply if you are special education-certified in a different state and/or have a specific timeline for your certification in Illinois.

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and write proficiently using the English language
• Ability to interact and speak effectively in interpersonal situations and before groups of people

Experience:

• Evidence of success working in an urban school environment strongly preferred but not required

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM:

• A unwavering belief in the power of inclusion and a commitment to equity in order to narrow the gap within the gap for students with disabilities
• A strong commitment to live by the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life and a belief that all students in Chicago deserve an excellent education
• A willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve outstanding student outcomes
• Strong classroom management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate students
• A commitment to life-long learning with the desire to take advantage of professional development and coaching to constantly improve

EQUITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE COMPETENCIES

• Advocacy: Champion the growth and needs of our administrative leadership, teachers, and support staff, within a collaborative environment that takes into account the differentiated needs and goals of the entire organization to support our educational goals.

• Cultural competence: Effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse individuals and groups; apply positive strategies to confront social issues, including discrimination, bias and stereotype threat; and use this competence to inform teaching and learning practices.
• Equity-minded: The data-driven outlook and perspectives that call attention to patterns of inequity in access, outcomes and retention as institutional problems, in an effort to develop systemic strategies within the control of Perspectives that address these inequities. This includes being willing to have robust discussions about identity-based inequities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school environment. Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings. Physical demands include the ability to lift and/or push and pull 15 to 20lbs for a short period of time, walk up and down stairs several times a day, reach, bend, and constantly walk, stand, talk and hear.

BENEFITS SUMMARY:

• Comprehensive and competitive benefits package 
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off including holidays
• Company 403B plan available
• Company contribution towards the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund if eligible 
• Paid life insurance
• Paid short and long term disability.
• ISBE-approved professional development provider

 Perspectives Charter Schools works affirmatively to include diversity among its workforce and does not discriminate in the selection of its staff on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, income, marital status, or any other dimension of diversity. We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position.