--- title: Special Education Teacher at Distinctive Schools description: Distinctive Schools is hiring for the Special Education Teacher role in Chicago, IL. Pays $70K per year. See the full description and apply. type: job url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/special-education-teacher-at-distinctive-schools-01a184ce-de77-7794-83cd-25d168f84b6a date: 2026-10-29T00:22:39Z og_description: Join Distinctive Schools as Special Education Teacher in Chicago, IL. Pays $70K per year. Full-time role. og_image: https://www.foundrole.com/og/7mpypk.png breadcrumbs: - label: Home url: https://www.foundrole.com/ - label: Search url: https://www.foundrole.com/jobs --- | | | |---|---| | **Company** | Distinctive Schools | | **Location** | Chicago, IL | | **Salary** | $70K/yr | | **Type** | Full Time | | **Posted** | Oct 27, 2026 | ## Is this job real? **Ghost job check:** A · Low risk. Probably a real opening. ## Visa sponsorship - **H-1B:** Distinctive Schools sponsors H-1B visas. - **E-Verify:** No E-Verify enrollment on record for Distinctive Schools. ## Pay for similar jobs Most similar jobs pay about $70,000 a year. ## Description **Title:** Special Education Teacher **Location:** CICS Prairie- 11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628 **Reports To:** Principal **Salary:** Starting salary for certified teachers starts at $70,000 **Employee Type:** Regular Full Time **Start Date:** November 2026 The mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism. **Position Overview** Special Education Teachers are responsible for practices and behaviors which demonstrate necessary teaching competencies, effective classroom management, positive personal qualities, and other instructional matters. The role of the Special Education Teacher is to ensure that all students have equal instructional opportunities and to create environments in which teaching and learning are challenging, dynamic, and comprehensive. The teaching of the essential curriculum of each teacher’s discipline is grounded in the understanding that the aim of education is personal growth, the development of individual talents, abilities, and values; the acquisition of knowledge; and the pursuit of understanding. **Responsibilities** *Culture* - Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making - Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things - Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making - Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong relationships with students, families, and staff - Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset - Foster positive climate and culture - Serve as a positive role model *Professional Responsibilities* - Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, families, and community members - Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly - Maintain positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues - Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development - Professional Commitment: has good attendance and regularly participates in all staff, department, and committee meetings in addition to other school/district events - Plan and supervise assignments for paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers, and make written evaluation as required - Inform families regarding student progress, the instructional program, and other school issues - Complete and update compliance related Special Education tasks in accordance with state and federal mandates *Classroom Management and Organization* - Work closely with team members and families to best meet the needs to students - Support classroom procedure (classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, and performance of non-instructional duties occur smoothly) - Support student behavior (Standards of conduct appear to be clear to students, and the teacher monitors students’ behavior against those standards. The teacher’s response to student misbehavior is appropriate and respects the students’ dignity) *Instructional Strategies* - Serve as primary instructor for students with identified learning needs in a variety of settings - Develop lessons that address students academic, interpersonal, social and emotional needs - Provide research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP) - Develop and implement annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals - Make collaboration a priority with members of the IEP team - Monitor progress to ensure all students are demonstrating high rates of growth - Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development - Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse social-emotional, cultural, economic and ability backgrounds **Requirements** (minimum) *Education:* Bachelor's Degree *Qualifications* - Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI) - Valid Special Education License in state of employment (IL or MI) *Physical demands:* Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing **Benefits** - 25+ paid holidays, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank - 12 weeks family paid leave - Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision) - 403b match * Fully match up to 3% * 50% match up to 5% - Professional development including tuition reimbursement - Gym and wellness discounts - And more **Description Disclaimer:** *Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.* **EEO:** Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law. Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [talent@distinctiveschools.or](mailto:talent@distinctiveschools.org)g or call [773.828.4191](https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#m_6948113024237718815_m_-7171325800742585837_) ## Skills - Special Needs Education - Decision Making - Interpersonal Skills - Professional Educator License - Collaboration - Communication ## Benefits - Paid Time Off (Pto) - Financial Aid/Assistance - Health Insurance - 403(b) Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans - Vision Insurance - Professional Development - Sick Leave - Dental Insurance ## Related - [Education & Training jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/education-and-training?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Special Education jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/education-and-training/special-education?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Special Education Teacher jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/careers/education-and-training/special-education/special-education-teacher?utm_source=ai_markdown)- [Browse all companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) ## Explore this job market - [Illinois](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/illinois?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 112175 jobs - [Chicago, IL](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/illinois/chicago?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 31823 jobs - [Primary and Secondary Education](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/education/primary-and-secondary-education?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 24227 jobs ## Related pages - [Illinois](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/illinois?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 112175 jobs - [Chicago, IL](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us/illinois/chicago?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 31823 jobs - [Primary and Secondary Education](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors/education/primary-and-secondary-education?utm_source=ai_markdown) — 24227 jobs ## Browse - [Companies](https://www.foundrole.com/companies?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by country](https://www.foundrole.com/locations?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs in the United States by state and city](https://www.foundrole.com/locations/us?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B sponsors by location](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-sponsors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [H1B salaries](https://www.foundrole.com/h1b-salaries?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Sectors and industries](https://www.foundrole.com/sectors?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Jobs by career field](https://www.foundrole.com/careers?utm_source=ai_markdown) - [Latest jobs](https://www.foundrole.com/jobs/latest?utm_source=ai_markdown)