Interim Principal

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.
• Recommend appropriate resources and/or consultant assistance.
• 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)

The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is an Equal Opportunity Employer in full compliance with local, state, and federal Civil Rights & Affirmative Action laws. The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired maintains a strong policy of accommodation and a consistent practice of employing qualified individuals with disabilities. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, sexual orientation, military status, order of protection status or unfavorable discharge from military service.