Position Type:
Elementary School Teaching/Early Childhood
Date Posted:
6/17/2024
Location:
Whittier Elementary School
Date Available:
SY 24/25
Early Childhood Instructional
Revised: June 2024
Department:
Early Childhood
Primary Reporting Location:
Whittier
Level:
Early Childhood Special Education
Salary:
In accordance with OPTA CBA
Portrait of a District 97 Leader:
Champions the vision of the school district
Models a forward-thinking and innovative mindset
Stewards public funds with a high sense of responsibility
Leads with an unrelenting commitment to universal student success
Demonstrates the ability to organize teams to achieve common goals
Leads with an awareness of the cross-functional nature of district work
Generates a culture of care for, learning with and service to the community
Aspires to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality
Demonstrates a passion for working with a culturally, racially linguistically diverse district team of administrators, educators and staff in all roles
Actively seeks feedback, including critical feedback intended for professional growth
Understands the intersection of public school leadership, student learning and equity
Courageously addresses adult behavior that does not meet professional expectations
About This Role
Under the direction of the Building Principal and Director of Student Services, the Instructional Self-Contained Early Childhood Teacher develops and provides specialized instruction in a self-contained setting to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, evaluates and assesses student progress against instructional objectives, and functions as IEP Case Manager to assigned students and in support of the district’s equity commitments as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.
Essential Role Responsibilities:
All District 97 employees are expected to:
Support all aspects of a student’s development (social/emotional, academic, physical, artistic expression) through caring and respectful relationships
Take collective responsibility for providing equitable opportunities and supporting learning environment for students
Maintain positive relationships with students, parents/guardians, and staff
JOB SUMMARY:
1. Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student's IEP.
2. Assesses student progress and determines the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques.
3. Employs various teaching techniques, methods, and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals working on the Common Core State Standards.
4. Develops and implements 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.
5. Adheres to procedural requirements, including due process timelines.
6. Coordinates the delivery of special education services in each student's IEP, including toileting and diapering.
7. Serves as primary contact for the parent.
8. Schedules team meetings.
9. Participates in special education evaluations and reevaluations for all students on the caseload.
10. Establishes and maintains student control and discipline in the classroom, school premises or during school activities by communicating expectations of appropriate behavior. Employs and implements a classroom structure and consistency to encourage student responsibility, cooperation and mutual respect consistent with district policies and procedures.
11. Provides instructional direction to paraprofessional support staff: assigns activities, provides guidance and instructional oversight.
12. Collaborates and consults with educational professionals regarding the needs of students. Provides consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom adaptations, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
13. Provides professional expertise and assistance to individuals, other district staff and the community concerning areas of instructional expertise/knowledge.
14. Attends training sessions, conferences, seminars, district and departmental meetings.
15. Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, instructional and educational technologies.
EDUCATION, CREDENTIALS and/or EXPERIENCE
Illinois Professional Educator License with LBS1 Endorsement required
Bachelor’s Degree
Early Childhood Education AND Early Childhood Special Education Approval OR LSB1 (K-age 21) w/ Early Childhood Special Education Approval OR Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement AND/OR ELL Endorsement
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the performance of light work—which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere. The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.