We’re growing! Our Learning Academy is expanding to meet the increasing demand for high-quality, individualized education for students with disabilities. As we add a brand-new classroom to our program, we’re excited to welcome a dedicated and passionate Special Education Teacher to join our dynamic team. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a collaborative, therapy-integrated school environment that prioritizes student growth, communication, and independence. Come grow with us and make a meaningful impact every day!

Why work at the Learning Academy at Easterseals Central Illinois?

About us: Our goal at Easterseals Learning Academy is to empower students to achieve peak academic performance, enhance social and emotional skills, develop effective communication, and gain functional life skills for community independence. We are an approved private school by the Illinois State Board of Education, serving students ages 3-21 with Autism, emotional disabilities, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and other health impairments. School districts from all over the area contract with Easterseals to assist them in providing educational programs for children with autism and related intellectual disabilities. We provide an alternative school placement for these students and help them grow toward independence.

See the Impact:

Compensation and Benefits:

Expected pay for a first-year teacher is $49,000 annually. In addition, teachers receive a summer stipend.

Paid Time Off

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) including sick time, personal time, paid holidays, and paid holiday breaks

Health and Insurance

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with multiple plan options
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options for Medical and Dependent Care expenses
• Employer-Paid Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Coverage options
• Supplemental Coverage Options: Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Plans

Retirement Planning

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Employee Support & Discounts

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for 24/7 confidential support
• Exclusive Employee Discounts through PerkSpot and local gym partnerships

Professional Development

• Annual Professional Development & CEU Allowance
• New Employee Referral Bonus
• Easterseals qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Position Objective: The Special Education Teacher provides designed instruction and educational programs for children with a primary educational diagnosis of Autism, Intellectual Disability, or other health impairment.

Job Functions:

• Prepares and teaches lessons/skills designed to encourage academic communication, functional communication, and social growth.
• Develops/obtains materials needed for instruction.
• Adapts materials and lessons to accommodate the needs of individual students.
• Submits weekly lesson plans to the supervising administrator.
• Writes IEPs with goals and objectives that parallel the essential elements/common core standards as determined by data collected by IEP team members.
• Consults and collaborates with respective team members when evaluating progress and determining student programming needs.
• Ensures the physical layout of your classroom makes it accessible for learning when considering physical, medical, sensory, and cognitive needs.
• Applies Crisis Prevention Intervention de-escalation strategies in the school setting when student behaviors warrant intervention; implements behavior management plans if applicable.
• Communicates with out-of-district agencies regarding student needs. Agencies may include, but are not limited to, the following: home school district, medical professionals, mental health professionals, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Rehabilitation, Central Illinois Service Access, and ADDWC.
• Be welcoming to a classroom-based therapy model as related service providers (OT, PT, speech/language, social work, itinerant services) implement individual and group therapy sessions within the classroom setting.
• Participates in any mandatory training required by ISBE and ESLA administration.

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Education is required.
• Must hold a valid teaching license that has been issued by the Illinois State Board of Education and registered with the Regional Office of Education as an LBS1.
• Registered Behavior Technician certification or willingness to complete training.
• Receive training and pass competency tests in Crisis Prevention Intervention.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software (MS Office Suite).

Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal-opportunity employer. Easterseals does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.