4/11/24

Special Education Teacher

Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS) seeks a talented and dedicated full-time Learning Behavior Specialist, starting in August 2024. This qualified candidate will join the Student Support team in providing research-based specialized instruction to students with a diverse range of learning needs and learning differences. The candidate will work collaboratively with the Student Support team, classroom teachers, students in preschool--8th grade, parents, and administrators to problem-solve and help students develop skills and strategies that adhere to their individual needs and enhance academic growth.

LFCDS, located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational, independent day school serving 400 students from age 2 through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children are known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, academic rigor, and attention to individual needs.

The central mission of the Learning Behavior Specialist is to ensure that Lake Forest Country Day School identifies and supports its students during elementary grades through middle school and provides appropriate instruction and intervention based on educational best practices supported by neuroscience research.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, monitor, and remediate students needing additional support or enrichment. This involves working with faculty, parents, private contractors, and evaluators on behalf of students who require specialized academic instruction.
• Provide one-on-one and small-group support/instruction for students, both in push-in and pull-out environments.
• Support students using specialized instruction in the areas of reading, written language, mathematics, executive functioning, and study skills.
• Conduct ongoing assessments to identify needs and evaluate student growth and responsiveness to intervention.
• Actively participate in monthly consult meetings and weekly team meetings with teachers, Learning Specialists, Counselors, and Division Heads.
• Assume an active role in Learning Development and Student Support Team meetings.
• Collaborate with LFCDS School Counselors to support students’ social-emotional needs.
• Write, maintain, and update Individualized Service Plans.
• Guide teachers in differentiating instruction and implementing classroom accommodations and modifications.
• Support teaching staff by offering resources, assistance, advice, and training to enable faculty to better meet the needs of all learners.
  

• A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in education with special education/LBS1 certification or endorsement from an accredited college or university is required; a graduate degree is preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of learning differences and strategies.
• Experience teaching diverse learners and age groups.
• Knowledge of early intervention, RTI, formative and summative assessments, acquisition of reading, and be current on the general teaching of reading, writing, and mathematics.
• Training/certification in a multisensory reading program such as Wilson, SLANT, or Orton-Gillingham is preferred.
• Knowledge and experience writing Individualized Education Plans.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills as well as proven ability to work with a diversity of colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• A willingness to learn and grow professionally.
• Outstanding judgment and emotional maturity.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• High level of energy, creativity, positive attitude, sense of humor, and flexibility.

Mission Statement: Inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to individual needs, a commitment to responsible citizenship—these principles infuse every aspect of life at Lake Forest Country Day School and define our dedication to producing students of strong character with a passion for learning.

Core Values: Excellence, Partnership, Responsibility, Participation, Diversity

Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, and the names of three professional references (personal statement optional) in PDF format to the attention of Robin Baasen, Director of Student Support, at robin.baasen@lfcds.org with the subject line “Learning Specialist Application.”

Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body. LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.

10/25/23

Thresholds High School - Special Education Teacher

We are seeking a Special Education teacher for Thresholds High School! Thresholds High School is an Illinois State Board of Education certified Therapeutic Day School for students ages 16 to 21 years old with ongoing serious mental health needs. The Thresholds High School provides a distinct combination of flexibility and support in order to help students achieve both their high school diploma and their transition goals.

Because students come from a multitude of suburban and Chicago home districts, Thresholds High School works closely with these school districts to ensure that students are successful in meeting their personal and Individual Education Plan goals, increasing academic achievement, graduating, and preparing for their next steps. Students take advantage of the robust Thresholds vocational services, which provides evidence-based Supported Employment and Supported Education for postsecondary endeavors. Students also benefit from the Young Adult Program’s rich therapeutic supports that address anxiety, frustration, school refusal, and other issues that derailed their academic success in other schools.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Educates the students of Thresholds High School and assumes a leadership role in the program, with direct responsibility for the supervision of all students in the classroom
• Plans and develops a course of study according to curriculum guidelines of the school district and state requirements. Actual curriculum must often be tailored for three or more levels of academic ability and previous achievement.
• Prepares assignments and lesson plans weekly. Monitors, assists, corrects, and grades student performance.
• Conducts standardized tests in accordance with district policies and state laws.
• Shares, with other Teachers and Aides, the responsibilities of monitoring the lunchroom and gym.
• Counsels students when academic difficulties or behavioral problems arise.
• Keeps records of academic performance, attendance, and social acclimation, and completes all required paperwork for the Illinois State Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools, and DCFS.
• Utilizes strategies of positive reinforcement while maintaining the classroom in a clear and orderly fashion. Classroom supervision is to be provided at all times.
• Cooperates with other staff in the coordination of treatment and treatment planning, as well as the developments and implementation of individualized service and educational plans.
• Performs crisis intervention using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) skills. Performs and supervises physical management when necessary. Training in TCI is provided by Thresholds.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education is required; Master’s Degree in Special Education is preferred.
• Current Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1) license.
• Previous experience working with high school aged children dealing with mental illness is preferred.
• Use of physical management technique requires moderate exertion, being able to lift 40 pounds, and mobility to lower self to a kneeling position on the floor

What sets Thresholds apart: 

• Competitive pay - Base Salary: $57,000 - 67,000 annually
• Subject to increase based on education and experience
• Generous PTO (9 federal holidays, 8 days of sick leave, 15-22 days personal and vacation)
• Dental insurance, vision insurance, 4 medical insurance plans
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match 
• Robust employee assistance program (EAP)
• Mileage reimbursement 
• Public service loan forgiveness 
• Supervision for clinical licensure at no cost (LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC) 
• Reimbursement for professional licensure and license renewal

You may apply directly at https://recruiting.ultipro.com/THR1001THRSH/JobBoard/13bbc74d-d854-4401-ace1-c2cacfa586b0/Opportunity/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=2e663425-e3a3-4182-830a-43b8d5c1638c. Additionally, you may reach out to Talent Acquisition Specialist Shannon Naylor at Shannon.Naylor@thresholds.org to learn more.