Special Education Teacher- Self- Contained
The Elgin Math and Science Academy Charter School (EMSA, www.elginmathandscience.org) opened in August of 2018 to all students residing in the U-46 attendance area. We serve students from Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
EMSA is a Title 1 school that qualifies staff for student loan forgiveness programs.
EMSA is seeking a compelling, committed, and innovative Special Education Teacher that will help to establish a positive learning environment that promotes Wow & Wonder while modeling and encouraging the habits of scholarship for student self-discipline.
The successful candidate in this role will use EL Education's Core Practices as the classroom's
foundation to ensure remarkable academic achievement, character development, and community involvement for all students. At EMSA, students and teachers will reach their highest potential through active exploratory learning and social responsibility in which:
An EMSA Charter Educator will:
Operate with the understanding: Diversity is a fact, Inclusion is a behavior, Equity is the outcome
Work collaboratively with all members of the learning community to build relational trust and foster a growth mindset for all through modeling by taking professional risks, owning mistakes, and being metacognitive about their own growth and revision
Model EMSA's habits of scholarship in word and action and effectively build a positive classroom culture that promotes self-discipline
Assume primary responsibility for increasing student achievement (i.e. mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work) by designing and implementing cross-curricular units of study that integrate literacy instruction and utilize active pedagogy
Create a collaborative student-centered classroom that promotes differentiated instruction to increase student growth and enhance school culture
Challenge, engage, inspire, and empower all students with the Wow & Wonder of EL Education
Design lesson plans that allow for flexible, uninterrupted blocks of time that foster deeper learning, content-based literacy, project-based learning, fieldwork, and student presentations for authentic audiences
Engage in professional learning and implement a progressive, bold educational approach to fostering EL Education's Core Practices to inspire student success
Practice reflective and synthesizing professional practices to allow for a deeper understanding to manifest for implementation with the highest levels of fidelity
Establish clear and consistent assessment and progress monitoring techniques based on evidence to make instructional decisions to meet student's needs and further their growth
Cultivate strong partnerships with families; all words and actions demonstrate a commitment to inclusion, belief in all students' capacity to succeed, and a desire to create an amicably beneficial situation for everyone
Actively engage families and the community with expeditionary outcomes and critique of authentic student work
An ideal candidate is someone who:
Has demonstrated strong classroom and time management skills
Is committed to meeting the needs of every child in a diverse population and has demonstrated success working with low-income and minority students
Believes every child can learn and reach high levels of academic achievement
Has a clear understanding of curriculum, instruction, assessment of child development, and the integration of and adherence to state standards
Has a proven ability to work as a member of a team with a commitment to his/her own learning and professional development
Has experience designing and implementing an effective and engaging literacy curriculum
Has the capacity to teach mathematics and science using inquiry-based and hands-on methodology
Believes children can make a significant contribution to the school, community, and the world
Understands that family involvement is integral to student success
Wants to be part of an organized, professional learning community
Is a self-starter interested in working in a fast-paced, startup environment that requires flexible roles
Manages/takes leadership (i.e. with paraprofessionals, CPI, etc.)
The EMSA Special Education Teacher is responsible for, but not limited to:
Creating and implementing a self-contained program for elementary students.
Selecting curriculum and programs for self-contained curriculum.
Collaborating with EMSA classroom teachers to develop and implement cross-curricular units of study that utilize active pedagogy and expeditionary learning in a multi-age classroom
Differentiating or modifying instruction within the classroom to support students with special needs
Employing special education strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory and perceptual motor skills, language, cognition, and memory
Conferring with parents, administration, teachers, and the related service providers to develop individual education plans designed to promote students' educational, physical, and social development
Maintaining accurate and complete student records, and preparing reports on children and activities, as required by law
Establishing clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects and communicating those to students, parents, and staff
Remaining current in research as it applies to both subject matter and pedagogy/student disabilities
Understanding the typical developmental characteristics of the age group, as well as exceptions to the general patterns
Seeking and applying opportunities for collaboration to enhance instruction and student learning
Has a predetermined plan to assess whether presented material is understood using a variety of assessment techniques and uses the results to plan for future instruction of students and the development of IEP goals
Preparing appropriate paperwork for Individual Annual Reviews, and IEP meetings
Revising plans on an ongoing basis, considering students' needs, ability levels, and interests along with goals and objectives
Providing clear directions and explaining assignments—accommodations/modifications
Using a wide variety of oral and written questioning techniques
Monitoring the progress of students in the curriculum with documentation and data collection for goals/objectives
Having knowledge of appropriate modifications and accommodations to meet the needs of students in the general education curriculum
Communicating with families about student progress and is available as needed to respond to family concerns, annual reviews, and conferences
Maintaining relationships with colleagues that are characterized by mutual support and cooperation, including co-teaching settings
Complying with all school policies and special education laws
Support students with significant behavioral and/or cognitive needs in both the self-contained setting and by providing opportunities for inclusion.
Train paraprofessionals
Create schedules for programming
Function as a key part of the team for creating behavior plans, Functional Behavior Assessments, and formal Behavior Intervention Plans
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
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Hiring Timeline and Application Process
We seek to hire a Special Education Teacher for an immediate start. To confidentially apply, please send a Cover Letter and Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
Beginning in August, all crew members will receive extensive professional development in EL Education modules. Further responsibilities include active collaboration with other instructors and coaches for curriculum design, classroom set-up, and team building as part of our opening school activities.
Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity
EMSA seeks individuals of all backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort. EMSA provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees and prohibits discrimination with respect to the hiring or promotion of individuals, conditions of employment, disciplinary and discharge practices, or any other aspect of employment on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, disability, or any other factor which cannot lawfully be used as a basis for an employment decision.
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