About the Campus:
The UChicago Charter School’s North Kenwood/Oakland campus is named after and located at the juncture of the South Side neighborhoods of North Kenwood and Oakland, historic communities formed by African Americans and others seeking a better life, including high quality educational opportunities for their children. In 2008, North Kenwood/Oakland was honored as the recipient of the Illinois State Federation of Community Schools’ Dimon Distinguished Community Schools Award.
The University of Chicago Charter School Corporation expects our teachers and staff to enable each and every one of our students to learn and achieve at high levels. Learning is demanding intellectual work that depends on good instruction, comprehensive academic and social supports, and a school culture of high expectations—all of which is made possible by the best individual and collaborative efforts of our teachers and staff.
Position Summary:
This position will provide and support specialized instruction and case management for students with disabilities. This position supports special education teachers, general education teachers, and support staff in identifying, developing, and implementing curriculum, assessment, and instructional strategies designed to improve the learning of students with disabilities (diverse learners). This position will work under the general supervision of the Campus Director in partnership with the UCCS Network Director of Special Education.
Special Education Teacher Duties and Responsibilities:
- Implement curricula and activities to meet academic standards.
- Set goals for the individualized education plan (IEP) that are achievable and comparable to non-diverse learner students in accordance with the State of Illinois.
- Develop IEPs for students with disabilities and/or annual reviews
- Provide support and direction to paraprofessionals that are assigned to students or special education classrooms.
- Design, implement, and use informal and formal assessments to measure the progress of students.
- Work collaboratively with the school special education team to determine instructional and social needs of students that ensure success and promote students’ well-being.
- Collaborate with teachers to create a data-driven and learner-centered environment demonstrating shared responsibility for achievement.
- Work with the special education team on accommodations or interventions for students in the RTI process.
- Communicate effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
- Reflect critically on teaching practice and implement improvement strategies as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Case Manager Duties and Responsibilities:
- Create and distribute calendar of all annual reviews and evaluations to comply with IDEA timelines, and provide updates as needed.
- Chair and coordinate all IEPs and 504s.
- Ensure parents and students receive all meeting paperwork and understand the IEP and 504.
- Monitor and ensure implementation of all IEP services, accommodations and progress monitoring.
- Obtain IEPs and special education files for newly enrolled students and coordinate services for new students.
- Ensure all IEPs are relevant and compliant with Federal and State Law.
- Coach staff on how to interpret and write quality Individualized Education Plans (IEPS).
- Meet regularly with School Director the UCCS Network Director of Special Education to collaborate, communicate, and continuously improve the special education program.
- Meet regularly with special education teachers, monitor IEP work and provide feedback on IEPs.
- Develop and facilitate professional learning opportunities that promote achievement for diverse learners.
- Design professional development for administrators, teachers, and support staff in areas including curriculum, instruction, assessment, classroom management, and working with students with challenging behavior.
- Collaborate with both special education and general education teachers in planning for student learning outcomes based on assessed needs of individual students and the use of data and information to determine each student’s current knowledge and skill level, support student learning goals, and assess student progress.
- Advise special education teachers on best practices in collaboration with general education teachers and co-teaching methods.
- Provides consultation to school staff working with diverse learners in the following areas: instruction, assessment, curriculum, communication, behavior, organization, use of visual systems, self-management, sensory needs, social skills and the design of the physical environment in the classroom and remote learning strategies.
- Actively participate as an advisor, resource specialist, and facilitator in faculty, grade level, department, and/or professional learning community meetings.
- Other responsibilities as needed.
Position Qualifications:
- Commitment to the success and achievement of all students, and especially diverse learners.
- Valid Professional Educator License (PEL) with an LSB1 endorsement required.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in special education required.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience serving as a Special Education Teacher required.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience serving as a Case Manager required.
- Substantial experience serving in an urban teaching environment preferred.
- Substantial experience successfully coaching other teachers to improve instructional practice, either in general education or special education.
- Strong knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding the delivery of special education and related services.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, staff, students, parents, and community partners.
- Ability to communicate clearly with multiple stakeholders.
Salary Range
$66,300.00 - $85,800.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University of Chicago Charter School's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. The salary will be commensurate of years of experience and education.
Benefits
UChicago Charter School offers a wide range of benefits programs for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits guide.
UCCS recruits, hires, compensates, promotes and otherwise manages employees and prospective employees on the basis of individual merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status or any and all other factors protected by law. This policy includes UCCS’s commitment to maintain a workplace free from sexual or other unlawful harassment or discrimination of any nature.