Professional Educator License (PEL) with Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1) or relevant endorsements required.
Principal, director of special education, or general administrative endorsement needed.
Master's degree in education, preferably in special education or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of successful teaching experience, ideally in special education.
Prior administrative experience is essential.
Strong interpersonal and data-driven problem-solving skills are a must.
Responsibilities
Develop and implement special education services tailored to students' needs.
Create a structured framework for curriculum and instructional strategies.
Utilize data to drive continuous improvement in educational outcomes.
Plan and execute instructional improvement activities.
Identify and facilitate staff development initiatives.
Evaluate and monitor instructional activities and staff performance.
Ensure completion of Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) and support student transitions.
Benefits
10 days of paid vacation annually.
12 paid holidays each year.
6 sick days accrued throughout the year.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance available after 30 days of employment.
Short and long-term disability insurance provided.
Life insurance coverage at 2x salary.
Employee recognition events to celebrate achievements.
401(k) plan with company matching.
Affordable on-site food options available.
Full Job Description
BACKGROUND: The Children's Development Center (CDC) is a private, non-public, specialized school recognized by the State of Illinois. We serve students across Illinois school districts with a variety of educational needs and disabilities including vision loss, traumatic brain injury, autism, intellectual disabilities and multiple disabilities. This therapeutic day school provides one-on-one attention and a high staff-to-child ratio, offering the support needed for students to access the common core curriculum and develop capabilities for increased independence. There are currently 24 students and 36 staff.
Our program individually addresses each student's educational needs. Individual Educational Plans (IEPs) are developed in collaboration with the local school district, staff, parents and students. These needs are determined by formal assessment scales and through evaluations by certified learning behavior specialists. Additional support is provided by speech language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, nurses, psychologists, orientation and mobility specialists, teachers of the visually impaired and teachers of the hearing impaired, as needed.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:The Principal of the Children's Development Center provides leadership, management and supervision that promotes learning for students, parents and school staff. Facilitates a safe, nurturing, learner-centered environment. Performs data-driven decision making and is attentive to change processes, best practices, conflict resolution and effective team-building. Demonstrates the ability to lead a complex, dynamic, collaborative learning community which prioritizes students and learning. Directs student recruitment efforts by providing community in-services and maintaining relationships with potential referral sources such as school districts, special education cooperatives and agencies serving children with disabilities.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curriculum and Instruction
Develop and implement comprehensive special education services for students from referring school districts.
Develop a consistent framework for learning through effective management of curriculum, methodology, and instructional strategies.
Create a continuous improvement cycle that employs multiple forms of data and student work samples to support individual, team and school-wide improvement goals.
Participate in the planning and implementation of instructional improvement activities related to learning outcomes.
Identify and implement staff development activities.
Perform and monitor activities related to instructional improvement.
Continuously evaluate curriculum and instructional activities of educators, support personnel and paraprofessionals.
Ensure Instructional Educational Plans are completed.
Drive the strategy for youth transitioning out of our therapeutic day school.
School Environment
Maintain a safe, clean and orderly atmosphere and an effective learning environment.
Develop a culture of high expectations and achievement for students and staff.
Monitor compliance with contractual agreements.
Create and support an environment that values, understands and accepts diversity in culture and opinions.
Develop a collaborative school community in which school staff, families and referring district personnel interact regularly and share ownership for the success of the school.
Evaluate the effectiveness of instruction and of individual teacher performance by conducting periodic formal and informal observations and assessments, accompanied by feedback.
Maintain a professional environment by encouraging collaborative relationships between all staff, including teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals and administrators.
Monitor compliance with state and federal guidelines.
Develop and implement initiatives for recognition of students and staff performance.
Maintain effective communication channels with staff, students and parents.
Ensure training, development and support for school staff to advance student learning and performance.
Personnel
Assists in recruitment, interviews and selection of professional and educational support staff.
Assign and supervise all staff and establish their role, function, duties and tasks.
Perform staff performance assessments.
Identify staff professional development needs for staff and implement a plan and activities to meet those needs.
Provide professional development opportunities for the team.
Budget
Participate in the preparation of the annual school budget and submit appropriate documentation to the Illinois State Board of Education.
Monitor all expenditures and oversee the school budget.
Work in partnership with the Grants and Accounting Department to submit budgets and proposals for new grant opportunities.
Management of School Operations
Develop a master schedule for all school personnel.
Maintain relationships with agency staff to support school operations.
Conduct periodic staff meetings to ensure effective school performance.
Maintain effective working relationships, as necessary, with governmental agencies, institutions and other members of the community served.
Compliance
Prepare and complete necessary district, state and federal forms, records, and reports.
Provide leadership to ensure the development and implementation of individual education plans (IEP), functional behavior assessments (FBA) and behavior intervention plans (BIP).
Provide leadership to ensure adherence to state and federal rules and regulations governing therapeutic day schools.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Per 23 Illinois Administrative Code 226.800(h), the candidate must hold a Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS1), Teacher of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired, or Teacher of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing endorsement.
Hold a principal, director of special education, or general administrative endorsement.
Master's degree in education from an accredited college, with a major in special education or similar related field.
Minimum 5 years successful teaching experience, preferably in special education.
Prior administrative experience required.
Demonstrated exemplary interpersonal and data-based problem-solving skills.
Employee Benefits
BENEFIT PACKAGE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 25% OF SALARY INCLUDING:
10 days paid vacation
12 paid holidays
6 sick days accrued over the year
Insurance Eligibility the 1st of the month after 30 days of employment
Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered
Short/long term disability
Life insurance 2x salary
Employee recognition events
Company matched 401(k) plan
Reasonably priced delicious food options on site (except at Glenview location)
