Urbana School District #116

TITLE:  General Education Teacher - Pathway to Special Education Teacher

LOCATION: Building to be determined

SUPERVISOR:  Building Administrator, Executive Director of Student Services, and Special Education Administrator

SUPERVISES:  Teaching Assistants

SPECIAL NOTE: In order to be considered for this opportunity, the two courses required for the Short-Term Approval must be completed in Fall 2023. If hired, the teacher would fill a Special Education position for the 2023-24 School Year, working as a Long-Term Substitute  for the Fall of 2023 and moving to a Full-Time Teacher under the Short Term Licensure for Spring of 2024.

Applicants must be willing to:

• Apply to National Louis University (or equivalent program) and send official transcripts for all degrees earned to National Louis University.

• Register for courses that would be required for Short-Term Approval (one course in the survey of exceptional children and another in one of the other areas required for the endorsement). If a course has already been completed through prior coursework, the course would not need to be taken again. Applicant would need to work with National Louis University enrollment specialists in order to determine the proper courses required (for a maximum of two) for the Fall of 2018.

• Successfully complete the required online coursework. Students will complete all coursework online on their own schedule within the required weekly assignments, tests, etc.      

• After course completion, apply for the Short-Term Approval through ISBE.

• Teach as a Long-Term Substitute filling a Special Education Teacher position for Fall of 2023 while completing the initial coursework required to get the Short Term Licensure approval in 12/2023 or 1/2024.

• Teach as a Special Education Teacher in USD #116 under the Short-Term Approval beginning January 2024 while earning the full LBSI endorsement (completing all four courses at National Louis required) within three years.

• Teach as a Special Education Teacher in USD #116 after completion of the LBSI endorsement for a total of three additional years.

If accepted for this position, university fees for all four courses at National Louis (or equivalent program) will be covered by USD #116. An agreement to teach in Special Education at USD #116 first as a Long-Term Substitute and then under the Short-Term Approval and for a period of three years following the full LBSI endorsement must be signed. More details about course fee coverage and the agreement to teach in Special Education will be provided upon hire. For more information about the Short-Term Approval, please go to https://www.isbe.net/Pages/educator-licensure-approvals.aspx.

JOB SUMMARY:  The Special Education Teacher is responsible for providing high quality instruction based on frequent assessment and data analysis, and providing services through a structured and supportive environment that provides for student growth.   Consultation with general education teachers and related service personnel, serving as case manager, and training and monitoring of teaching assistants are also priorities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Collaborate with general education staff, related service personnel, parents, teaching assistants and students to ensure each student on caseload receives an appropriate comprehensive education.
• Coordinate the IEP process which includes but is not limited to writing the IEP, facilitating IEP meetings, monitoring and ensuring the provision of services, participating in the eligibility determination process and maintenance of accurate and up to date records for all students on caseload.    
• Assess students’ performance through formal and informal measures and use data for instructional decision making and IEP goal planning.  
• Design clear, well-organized and relevant instruction that is aligned to the general education curriculum, common core standards, students’ needs, ability levels, interests, classroom performance and assessment results.
• Establish and maintain a learning environment where students are engaged in meaningful learning experiences, staff functions as a team, and decision making is student-centered and individualized.  Provide a positive model of appropriate and respectful interactions.
• Provide direct instruction to students as written in the IEP.
• Complete progress monitoring of academic and functional goals.
• Consult and collaborate with staff members about student needs and progress to implement necessary accommodations and modifications as outlined in the IEP to ensure access to the general education curriculum.  
• Train, monitor, and supervise Teaching Assistants to meet the needs of all students.
• Maintain positive communication with parents through conferences, reports, IEP meetings, and other means as necessary; document contacts.
• Participate in professional development opportunities presented within the district or offered outside of the district.
• Provide support to students who require physical assistance such as transporting, lifting, self-care (toileting), hygiene, medical needs, or other assistance as outlined in the IEP and appropriate in the educational setting.
• Participate in special activities such as, but not limited to, field trips, and vocational and aquatic center activities.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

• Current Illinois Educator License in any content or grade level
• Ability to gain endorsement LBSI through Short-Term Approval

EXPERIENCE

• 2 years of school-based experience is preferred unless a new college graduate

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to become certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, maintain certification, and implement physical restraints safely and according to TCI and District requirements as well as State and Federal Laws.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Highly organized
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Excellent problem solver

START DATE: August 14, 2024, as a Long-Term Sub with the ability to complete Fall coursework required for the Short-Term Approval starting as a full-time Special Ed Teacher in January 2024.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• 185-day contract (teachers’ schedule)
• Non-UEA Fall 2023 & UEA membership eligible Spring 2024
• Daily rate as a Long term Substitute Teacher and Salary Schedule placement in Spring 2024

EVALUATION:  To be completed by the building administrator or district special education administrator

NOTE: This is a position within the collective bargaining unit (beginning Spring 2023) and is not an administrative position.

AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REVISED:  June 2023