Special Education Teacher - Elgin Math and Science Academy

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:

• Individuals of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome
• Children's natural curiosity is nurtured
• Students become leaders of their own learning
• Teachers and students hold high standards
• Critical thinking is central to math and science
• Students develop skills to be responsible individuals

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 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

The EMSA Special Education Teacher is responsible for, but not limited to:

• Collaborating with EMSA classroom teachers to develop and implement cross-curricular units of study which 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, teacher, and the social worker 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 objective 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 Review, IEP/EDC 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

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, three years teaching experience and proven success in instructional practice
• Current Illinois Professional Educator License with an LBS1 certification
• Communication and interpersonal skills to engage in a highly collaborative school environment
• Extensive knowledge of CCSS and NGSS as well as curricular implications
• Extensive knowledge and experience with special education rules, regulations and the required reporting
• Ability to develop relational trust with students, families, and staff

Desired:

• Current Illinois Professional Educator License
• Background in EL Education and/or project-based deeper learning with content-based literacy
• STEM degree and/or professional experience
• Strong technology skills
• Fluent in Spanish
• Expertise in working with English Language Learners
• Expertise in working with low-income populations

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 lawful be used as a basis for an employment decision.