2026-2027 Cove Career Center Principal

Cove Career Center Principal

2026 - 2027 School Year Start

Date: July 2026

Job Summary:

The Cove Career Center Principal provides day-to-day management of the Career Center Transition Program and all core functions that support The Cove School’s mission. 

Pay & Benefits:

* Salary starting at $110,000: (salary is commensurate with education, licensure and experience)

* Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

* Short and Long Term Disability and Life Insurance

* Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programs

* 10 sick, 4 personal days, 20 vacation days

* Tuition Reimbursement for continuing education

* Professional Development Opportunities

Schedule:

* Full-time (12 Month Employee)

* Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (or later per specific responsibilities identified below)

Requirements:

• Master’s degree required

• State of Illinois Professional Educator’s License (PEL)/General Administrative & Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS-1) or special education endorsement; Illinois Educator Training 
• Experience:
  • Prior leadership experience in special education
  • High School teaching or administrator experience, preferred
  • Administering classroom and schoolwide behavior management programs, creating lesson places and writing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
  • Collaborating with a multidisciplinary group of professionals in a diverse student population and setting
  • Application or experience with improving academic achievement 
• Knowledge/Skills:
  • Knowledge of special education law, policies, and procedures
  • Knowledge of state and federal guidelines for the educational requirements for students with special needs
  • Ability to articulate sound educational philosophy
  • Ability to lead IEP meetings
  • Excellent instructional competence
  • Ability to evaluate the instructional process
  • Background in computer and assistive technology
  • Leadership qualities and excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills
  • Ability and willingness to contribute to a collegial working environment and to perform responsibilities in accordance with applicable guidelines, policies, and procedures
  • Commitment to innovation and creativity

Duties & Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

Instructional & Personnel Leadership

• Provide teachers support to foster a classroom climate conducive to learning, and assistance to develop, implement and monitor progress toward Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
• Contribute to the selection, assignment, supervision, and evaluation of certified and classified employees
• Develop and evaluate curriculum and programs
• Keep current with technologies and their uses as they pertain to educating students
• Demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with Part 401 rules and section 226 of the Illinois administrative codes
• Support the entire IEP process and team
• Acts as the LEA for the IEP process
• Lead the behavior management process and team

Organizational Leadership

• Provide day-to-day management of the school in association with the Executive Director
• Develop and oversee all of the operations of the regular school program and ESY program
• Work in conjunction with fellow administrators (i.e., Principal, Clinical Director, District Liaison, Director of Finance, Director of Advancement) to maintain and enhance an organizational culture that prioritizes students' and staff needs
• Recognize personnel policies/regulations and the importance of conferring with faculty, district personnel, and the community in a professional manner
• Assure the safety, conduct, and general welfare of students and faculty
• Communicate effectively and assist in resolving conflicts with students, parents, faculty, and community members
• Strive to improve leadership skills through self-initiated professional growth and development activities by utilizing information and insights gained in professional efforts for self-improvement 
• Coordinates with the transition team at The Cove School and leads the parent education series

Operational Leadership

• Create a master schedule including all classes, therapies, and teacher prep periods, as well as scheduling dates for progress and report card distribution
• Coordinate and supervise after-school and evening activities: assign student teachers/observers, assign coverage as necessary, lead staff meetings, lead teacher departmental meetings, assist with IEP documentation
• Lead and support the alumni program 

Community Leadership

• Project a positive image to the community through the dissemination of ideas, information and responsiveness to student, family, SC district, and community agency concerns
• Participates in Cove Community Events
• Coordinates with adult agencies and businesses for internship opportunities and adult services

About Us:

The Cove School is a non-public therapeutic day school for students with learning disabilities located in Northbrook, IL. Cove students come from 60 nearby different public schools and families can also choose to fund tuition privately. Classes are kept small. Teaching is flexible and varies according to the individual student’s learning style. A team of onsite specialists work collaboratively to provide students intensive, integrated related services.

Salary : $110,000