Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois
Special Education Teacher jobs in Illinois are among the most active in the Midwest, with steady demand across public school districts, private therapeutic day schools, and early intervention programs at every level from paraprofessional-to-teacher transitions through lead and department-head roles. Chicago Public Schools, Easterseals, and Clearbrook are among the anchor employers, with the largest concentrations of openings in the Chicago metro, Rockford, and Springfield. Autism spectrum support, emotional and behavioral disorders, and learning disabilities specialists are the most consistently sought sub-areas statewide. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Number:
260002DMPosting Date
: Sep 16, 2026, 1:40:56 PMPrimary Location
: North/Northwest Side-1632 West Wrightwood Avenue (William H Prescott School)JOB DESCRIPTION -
ABOUT CPS: We are an urban district on the rise. The support and resources we provide to our staff enables them to make the greatest difference where it’s needed most. Be a part of the change. Our mission is to provide a high quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life.
Position Title: Diverse Learners Teacher
Under the supervision of the school principal, teachers are responsible for the instruction, progress, tracking, and discipline of all students in assigned classes, and performs other duties as assigned and required.
Specialty Functions:
- A valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, endorsed in LBS1
- Set goals for the individualized education plan that are achievable and comparable to a student's peers in accordance with the State of Illinois IEP guidelines
- Work collaboratively with case managers, counselors, and general education teachers to determine instructional and social needs of students that ensure success while also participating on the multidisciplinary team to promote students' wellbeing
Essential Functions:
Within the context of the CPS Framework for Teaching, all teachers should utilize a continuous improvement process that refines his or her teaching practice. Each teacher should...
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of content, pedagogy, and student knowledge, in order to select learning objectives and design coherent instruction and assessments
- Create an environment for effective student learning and growth by establishing a respectful classroom culture with strong management of student behaviors and classroom procedures that promotes and appreciates the cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity of students
- Respond to the needs of all students by designing engaging classroom instruction with appropriately challenging questions, communication and discussion techniques, and instructionally aligned assessments
- Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and exercise sound, professional judgment especially in interactions with administration, colleagues, families, and students
- Prioritize student safety through consistent implementation of the Student Code of Conduct and school wide systems of management and discipline
- Personalize student learning through mastery and innovative use of curriculum supplements and technology resources, as available
- Advocate for the district’s vision and commit to our district’s common themes of equity, cultural competence, high expectations, developmental appropriateness, attention to individual students (including those with special needs), appropriate use of technology, and student assumption of responsibility
Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:
- A bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Completion of the CPS online application and teaching profile at cps.edu/teach
- A valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, with the appropriate endorsement(s) for the role - information on obtaining a valid teacher license can be found at isbe.net/licensure
Physical Requirements:
- Light Work: Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, or up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Employment Expectations:
- As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), an employee must be an actual resident of the City of Chicago or be willing to become a resident within six months of the date of his/her employment with Chicago Public Schools. For certain high-needs positions, exemptions to this policy may be available.
- All new hires must satisfactorily complete all CPS on boarding requirements which include, but are not limited to, passing a tuberculosis test, drug test and state and federal criminal background checks. CPS is a drug and alcohol free workplace.
It is the policy of the Board to prohibit unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of any classifications protected by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois and applicable federal, state or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy discrimination), gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin or sexual orientation. Concerns or Inquiries should be made to the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office Administrator at (773) 553-1013. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and related regulations concerning sex discrimination also should be referred to the CPS Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (773) 553-1195.
- Medical Plan Options
- Pharmacy
- Dental
- Vision
- Behavioral Health & EAP
- Employee Wellness Program
- Basic Life Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Pension Plans
- Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Spot Pet Insurance
- Paid Leave
- Sick Leave
- Vacation Days
- Parental Leaves
- Short-Term Disability
- Religious Holidays
- Leaves
See All 140+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsSpecial Education Teacher Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Special Education Teacher Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Edu-Aids10E
- Chicago Public Schools9

- Kreyco6

- Burbank School District 1116
- The Menta Education5

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special education teacher jobs across Illinois.
- Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a Special Education approval from ISBE
- Bachelor's or master's degree in special education or a closely related field
- Experience developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs for students
- Knowledge of Illinois state special education compliance regulations and procedures
- Ability to collaborate with general education teachers, therapists, and family members
- Proficiency with assistive technology tools and differentiated instructional strategies
Special Education Teacher Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a special education teacher in Illinois?
To become a special education teacher in Illinois, you must earn a Professional Educator License with a Special Education approval issued by the Illinois State Board of Education. This requires completing an approved teacher preparation program, passing the Illinois Licensure Testing System exams including the Special Education General Curriculum test, and completing student teaching hours. The Illinois State Board of Education oversees all licensing, and candidates apply through the ISBE Educator Licensure Information System.
How much do special education teachers make in Illinois?
Special education teachers in Illinois earn a median of about $62,580 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $42,320 for the lowest 10% to over $100,460 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire special education teachers in Illinois?
Employers hiring special education teachers in Illinois right now include Edu-Aids, Chicago Public Schools, and Kreyco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's mix of large urban public districts, private therapeutic day schools, and nonprofit disability-services organizations means hiring is spread across employer types rather than concentrated in a single sector.
Which Illinois cities have the most special education teacher jobs?
Chicago, Burbank, and Joliet have the most special education teacher openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro dominates due to the sheer size of Chicago Public Schools and the dense network of private special education providers in the suburbs, while Rockford and Springfield reflect the staffing needs of their respective regional school districts and state-funded early intervention programs.
Are there remote special education teacher jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of special education teacher openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting that most of the work requires in-person instruction, therapy co-facilitation, and direct student support. The roles most likely to carry a remote or hybrid component are supervisory positions, special education coordinators, and itinerant consulting roles that focus on compliance review or IEP coaching rather than daily classroom instruction.
How can I get hired as a special education teacher in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying as a special education paraprofessional or instructional aide within a district while completing an Illinois-approved teacher preparation program. Chicago Public Schools and many suburban Cook County districts hire paraprofessionals without a teaching license and offer tuition support partnerships with local universities. Candidates who hold an Illinois substitute teaching license can gain classroom exposure quickly. Completing coursework toward the ISBE Special Education approval and logging student teaching hours in an Illinois placement significantly strengthens applications for junior teaching roles.
Where can I find and apply to special education teacher jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to special education teacher jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings, identify roles that match your license endorsement and preferred district or employer type, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
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