What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Education Teacher position at The Chicago Lighthouse?
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Special Education Teacher serves as the Classroom Program Manager for a highly specialized therapeutic learning environment serving students with multiple, severe to profound disabilities, including students who are blind or visually impaired. In addition to providing high-quality, individualized instruction, the teacher is responsible for coordinating all aspects of classroom programming to ensure safe, accessible, meaningful, and evidence-based educational experiences for every student. Through thoughtful leadership, data-driven decision making, and therapeutic instructional practices, the Special Education Teacher ensures that each student's educational program promotes communication, functional independence, self-determination, community participation, and lifelong success.
The Essential Duties Are As Follows
Classroom Program & Management Responsibilities
The Essential Duties Are As Follows
Classroom Program & Management Responsibilities
- Design, coordinate, and oversee the daily operation of the classroom instructional program.
- Establish classroom systems, routines, schedules, and procedures that maximize instructional time, student engagement, safety, and independence.
- Develop individualized instructional schedules based on student IEPs, therapeutic recommendations, and functional learning priorities.
- Coordinate the implementation of classroom programming among paraprofessionals and related service providers.
- Monitor fidelity of instructional implementation and ensure consistency among all classroom staff.
- Lead daily classroom team communication regarding instructional priorities, student needs, behavioral supports, medical considerations, and scheduling.
- Manage classroom resources, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and instructional materials.
- Create systems that ensure accurate collection of student performance data and documentation.
- Maintain an organized, safe, and welcoming classroom environment.
- Coordinate classroom preparation for absences caused by IEP meetings, multidisciplinary staffing meetings, family conferences, and compliance activities.
- Continuous evaluation of classroom effectiveness and implementing improvements that enhance student outcomes.
- Evaluate student progress toward IEP goals.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret educational data to guide instructional planning.
- Participate in reevaluation planning and eligibility discussions.
- Develop and maintain accurate, timely, and compliant educational records.
- Prepare IEP goals, present levels of performance, progress reports, and instructional documentation.
- Complete required reports within established timelines.
- Maintain confidentiality of all student records in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA (when applicable), IDEA, and Illinois School Student Records Act requirements.
- Use student outcome data to guide instructional programming and classroom decision making.
- Manage and evaluate the effectiveness of Paraprofessional staff assigned to the classroom.
- Provide ongoing coaching, modeling, feedback, and professional support to Paraprofessionals within classroom team.
- Clearly communicate instructional expectations and student-specific interventions.
- Delegate responsibilities based upon student needs and staff strengths.
- Monitor implementation of behavior intervention plans, communication systems, health protocols, and instructional accommodations.
- Support paraprofessional professional growth through modeling evidence-based instructional strategies.
- Collaborate with administration regarding staff performance, professional development needs, and classroom supports.
- Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
- Coordinate interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure services are integrated throughout the school day.
- Support implementation of school-wide initiatives, quality improvement efforts, and organizational goals.
- Model professionalism, flexibility, innovation, and solution-focused leadership.
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution with a major in Special Education or a related field
- IL Professional Educator License
- Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS-1) endorsement
- 2-3 years Teaching experience in Special Education settings
- Experience teaching within a therapeutic day setting is preferred
- Strong understanding of IDEA, Illinois special education regulations, and IEP development.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Commitment to inclusive, student-centered, and family-centered educational practices.
- 1 hour vacation time per 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year
- 1 hour sick time per 35 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year
- Employee recognition events
- Company matched 401(k) plan
- The Chicago Lighthouse Children's Development Center is a year-round therapeutic day school where team members receive paid respite throughout the year, including one week in the fall, spring, summer, and August before the new school year, plus a two-week winter respite.
- Ability to determine hours worked during the Summer Quarter/ESY
- Paid regular salary throughout the entirety of the Summer Quarter/ESY
- Paid at the hourly rate for all hours worked during Summer Quarter/ESY, in addition to receiving regular salary
Salary : $70,000 - $75,000