Acting Teacher

Description:

Nexus Family Healing is hiring an Acting Teacher for Grand Prairie School at our Onarga, IL location!

Nexus-Onarga Family Healing is located approximately 30 miles south of Kankakee and 45 miles north of Champaign-Urbana, just a few miles off of I-57 on a historic site in Onarga, IL. Nexus Onarga provides boys ages 10 to 20 years old a structured, homelike environment where they can safely address a variety of unhealthy behaviors and mental health issues as well as childhood trauma. Nexus Onarga youth attend our onsite private, therapeutic Grand Prairie School which offers special education with small classes for grades 5th-12th.

At Nexus Family Healing, we embrace diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As a national mental health organization, we serve a diverse group of youth and families, and we strive for our workforce to support and represent that diversity.

Schedule & Salary:

• Schedule: Monday-Friday 7a-3:30p
• Year-round school through the summer with holidays off & pre-scheduled paid break weeks off
  • 8 additional days of paid time off per calendar year provided for new employees
• Salary: $44,000-$48,000 annually based on prior teaching experience & credentials.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to assist staff in proper restraining of youths.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and up to 100+ pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time (2-4 hours).
• Must be able to twist, bend and stretch in a manner conducive to the execution of daily activities within the residential program.

Benefits of working at a private Nexus School:

• Small class sizes
• Full time paraprofessional in each classroom
• Behavior Intervention Team readily available to provide ongoing support
• Residential program staff available throughout the school day to provide additional support where needed
• Tuition assistance program offered to pursue higher education
• 8 days of paid time off per calendar year plus pre-scheduled paid break weeks off throughout the year, including 2 weeks at Christmas, 1 week Spring Break, 1 week in June & 1 week in August, in addition to time off around other recognized holidays

Nexus’ Comprehensive Benefits Include:

• Endless training on mental health & trauma informed care
• Internal advancement opportunities without further education required
• Ongoing support of a team of trained & experienced professionals
• Employee Referral Bonus program
• Multiple options for health insurance coverage
• No-cost life insurance
• Short/long-term disability insurance
• 401k match
• Talkspace Therapy Benefit for the whole family
• Hinge Health Benefit for the whole family
• Carrot Fertility Benefit
• And much more

The Acting Teacher will provide instruction and behavior support to implement student IEPs as needed.

Primary responsibilities:

Teaching Staff Collaboration, Staff Scheduling & Educational Content

• Covers teaching gaps with at least 24 hours’ notice for staff absences.
• Supports staff leave and vacation coverage.
• Collaborates with school team to assess student needs and progress.
• Teaches assigned subjects and prepares age-appropriate lesson plans.
• Provides one-on-one academic support to students.
• Communicates lesson plans clearly; demonstrates strong written and verbal skills.

Student Support

• Seeks new instructional methods and ways to meet student needs.
• Handles classroom crises using approved de-escalation techniques; communicates with clinical staff as needed.
• Resolves problems and emergencies using sound judgment and Nexus procedures.
• Creates a supportive classroom environment for learning and treatment.
• Builds appropriate student relationships and promotes personal responsibility.
• Recognizes achievements and redirects misbehavior with constructive feedback.
• Shares academic and behavioral updates with educational and treatment teams.
• Integrates cultural diversity into instruction and attends related trainings.

Educational Policy, Procedure & Compliance

• Maintains student confidentiality and complies with licensing, policy, COA, and HIPAA standards.
• Develops IEPs, assesses student testing needs, and coordinates with IEP team members.
• Attends required meetings and trainings; supports Nexus treatment philosophy.
• Adapts to changing classroom assignments and provides support as needed.
• Stays current on policies, trainings, and certifications; models ethical and professional behavior.
• Demonstrates cultural awareness and values diversity among staff, students, and families.
• Upholds Nexus’s mission and values in all interactions and responsibilities.

Requirements:

Required Education and Licensure:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Active Substitute Teaching License OR Professional Educator License registered with the Illinois State Board of Education
• Willing to obtain full teaching licensure & LBS1 licensure within two years of employment
• Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 2+ years teaching experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in an educational discipline preferred.

ICARE Values & Behavioral Competencies:

• Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches.
• Compassion: Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern.
• Agility: Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly.
• Responsiveness: Being quick, positive, and accurate.
• Excellence: Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards.

At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions will be focused on recognizing, affirming and respecting people of every race, ethnic background, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender expression and faith.

APPLY TODAY TO BE CONTACTED BY OUR RECRUITING TEAM!

When you work at Nexus, you have the opportunity to change lives — including your own!

Keywords: "Special Education", "Special Education Teacher", "LBS1", "PEL", "Teacher", "High School Teacher", "Junior High Teacher", "Middle School Teacher"