Special Education Teacher - Urbana

$7,500 Sign-On Bonus for Licensed Special Education Teachers!

About Us:
Circle Academy Urbana is a therapeutic special education school serving students in grades K-12. Our private school is committed to preparing and empowering students for success in school, at home, and in the community. We provide a structured, nurturing, and therapeutic learning environment that supports each student's academic and emotional growth.

Position Overview:
We are currently seeking a qualified Special Education Teacher to join our Circle Academy Urbana team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating a supportive, engaging classroom environment that promotes academic excellence and incorporates Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) alongside mental health stability. The Special Education Teacher works with small class sizes and classroom support staff in a positive, team-oriented atmosphere.

As a Special Education Teacher at Circle Academy Urbana, you will play an essential role in helping students overcome barriers to learning and providing them with the tools to succeed in both their academic and personal lives. Our Special Education Teacher will collaborate closely with families, support staff, and school leadership to ensure each student receives individualized instruction and support.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and deliver individualized academic instruction to students with diverse learning needs.

• Integrate Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) and mental health strategies into the curriculum.

• Foster a supportive classroom environment where students can thrive academically and emotionally.

• Collaborate with classroom support staff and other educational professionals to ensure students’ success.

• Establish clear and effective communication with families, school leadership, and support staff.

• Monitor student progress and adjust instructional methods as necessary.

• Create and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for students, ensuring they meet educational and behavioral goals.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Special Education or related field (required).

• Certification: Valid Illinois LBS1 certification (required).

• Experience: Previous experience working with children in a therapeutic or special education setting is preferred.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary based on education and experience.

• Small class sizes: 10 or fewer students per class.

• Additional support staff: Two additional support staff (Paraeducator and Teaching Assistant) in every classroom.

• Tuition Assistance: Support for obtaining LBS1 Certification or Special Education Teacher Certification.

• Relocation Assistance: Available up to $2,500.

• Summer Income: Opportunity to earn additional income over the summer (31 days at $35/hour).

• State-of-the-art facilities: Newly constructed, 51,000-square-foot school building.

• Additionally, Cunningham Children's Home is a qualified employer under the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Holiday Pay

• Paid Leave

• Garner Health & Paytient Card — Healthcare Navigation and Medical Cost Savings Benefits

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Dependent Care Account (DCA)

• Accident, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness Insurance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan with up to a 6% Company Match

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Wellness Program

• Relocation Assistance

• Employee Referral Program

Cunningham and the Community: 
Urbana is part of the twin cities of Champaign–Urbana  in east-central Illinois, about 140 miles south of Chicago, 125 miles west of Indianapolis, and 170 miles northeast of St. Louis. Home to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the area combines the energy of a college town with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy diverse dining, parks, festivals, and a rich cultural scene—making it an ideal place to live, work, and grow.

Founded in 1895, Cunningham Children’s Home is a leading child welfare and educational services agency, supporting more than 977 youth and families each year through residential treatment, special education, and community-based programs.