Special Education Teacher (LBS1)

Job Posting: Special Education Teacher

ExcelPrep — Champaign, Illinois

Position Overview

ExcelPrep is seeking a highly qualified, mission-aligned Special Education Teacher to join our team in Champaign, Illinois . This is a full-time, on-site opportunity for an educator who is passionate about supporting neurodiverse learners through structured, research-based, and data-driven instruction.

The ideal candidate will bring strong instructional expertise, a deep commitment to student growth, and the ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary educational and therapeutic environment.

About ExcelPrep

ExcelPrep is a mission-driven private program serving neurodiverse children through structured, research-based instruction. Our mission is simple: to prioritize the academic and social success of neurodiverse learners .

We are a professional and agile organization committed to delivering high-quality academic and therapeutic programming that supports meaningful learning outcomes. Our goal is to provide a nurturing, academically focused environment where students develop strong academic foundations, cognitive-linguistic skills, and the confidence needed to succeed in school and beyond.

The Bloomington program reflects the same model and standards as ExcelPrep’s Champaign program, with a strong emphasis on instructional excellence, data-based decision making, and integrated academic and therapeutic support.

Our Programs

PreK–8 Academic Program

Our PreK–8 Academic Program is grounded in Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching . Instruction focuses on core academic skills, including reading, writing, and mathematics, through explicit and systematic teaching methods that emphasize:

• Mastery
• Fluency
• Generalization

This program is designed for students with learning disabilities and neurodiverse profiles who benefit from structured, data-driven instruction.

Clinical ABA Program (Ages 3–13)

Our Clinical ABA Program is cognition-linguistically based and emphasizes cognitive skill development and social behavior learning within a structured instructional environment. The program integrates Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with teaching strategies that support:

• Language development
• Reasoning
• Executive functioning
• Social competence

Instruction is individualized, data-driven, and focused on building foundational skills that support learning, communication, and independence.

Instructional and Therapeutic Framework

Across ExcelPrep programs, we center

• Direct Instruction and instructional design
• Precision Teaching and data-based decision making
• Instruction grounded in behavior science research
• Occupational Therapy as a prioritized therapy alongside ABA in support of sensory-motor development

Position Summary

The Special Education Teacher will play a central role in delivering high-quality instruction and individualized support for neurodiverse learners. This individual will be responsible for planning and implementing structured academic programming, monitoring student progress, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining a classroom environment that supports strong academic, behavioral, and social outcomes.

This role is well suited for an educator who values professionalism, precision, collaboration, and evidence-based practice.

Key Responsibilities

Instruction and Student Programming

• Provide individualized and small-group instruction to students with diverse academic, behavioral, and developmental needs
• Design and implement instructional programming aligned with student profiles, goals, and learning needs
• Deliver explicit, systematic instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and related academic readiness skills
• Apply research-based methodologies, including Direct Instruction and Precision Teaching, to support student mastery, fluency, and generalization
• Differentiate instruction within a structured educational setting to meet a range of learner needs

Data Collection and Progress Monitoring

• Collect, analyze, and interpret student performance data to inform instructional planning
• Monitor progress toward individualized academic, behavioral, and developmental goals
• Make timely instructional adjustments based on objective student data
• Maintain accurate, organized, and compliant student records, reports, and documentation

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate closely with teachers, paraprofessionals, ABA staff, Occupational Therapists, and other interdisciplinary team members
• Communicate professionally and effectively with families regarding student progress, goals, and instructional strategies
• Participate actively in team meetings, case discussions, planning sessions, and school-wide initiatives

Classroom and Program Support

• Foster a structured, supportive, and academically focused classroom environment
• Support implementation fidelity of instructional and behavior support systems
• Participate in training, coaching, and ongoing professional development
• Contribute to program refinement and continuous improvement efforts

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Special Education , Education, or a closely related field
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with LBS1 endorsement , or eligibility to obtain appropriate Illinois credentials
• Experience working with students with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodiverse learning profiles
• Strong knowledge of individualized instruction, structured teaching practices, and progress monitoring
• Demonstrated ability to use student data to guide instructional decision-making
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Commitment to professionalism, collaboration, and evidence-based educational practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Special Education, Education, Psychology, or a related field
• Experience with Direct Instruction and/or Precision Teaching
• Familiarity with ABA principles and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Experience in a private school, specialized educational setting, clinical setting, or therapeutic learning environment
• Knowledge of cognitive-linguistic, behavioral, and sensory-motor learning needs
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be

• Deeply aligned with ExcelPrep’s mission
• Skilled in supporting neurodiverse learners through structured instruction
• Organized, reflective, and data-driven
• Comfortable in a high-accountability, collaborative environment
• Committed to continuous improvement and high professional standards
• Focused on achieving meaningful academic and social outcomes for students

Work Environment

• Full-time, on-site position in Champaign, Illinois
• Collaborative, interdisciplinary workplace
• Professional and agile organizational culture
• Strong emphasis on student outcomes, instructional quality, and research-based practice

Compensation and Benefits

ExcelPrep offers a competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications, which may include

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development and training
• Opportunities for advancement within a growing organization

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Copy of Illinois teaching license or documentation of licensure eligibility
• Professional references

• Application Email: [email hidden]
• Subject Line: Special Education Teacher – Champaign

Equal Opportunity Statement

ExcelPrep is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We welcome candidates who are passionate about advancing meaningful outcomes for neurodiverse learners and contributing to a collaborative, mission-driven educational environment.