Nexus Family Healing·Manteno, Illinois
Provide educational instruction and behavior management to students while implementing individualized education programs (IEPs). Collaborate with the school team to assess student progress and maintain a positive, supportive classroom environment.
Description Nexus Family Healing is hiring a Teacher for the Safe Harbor School at our Manteno, IL location! Enjoy small class sizes, full-time Teaching Assistants in every classroom, and support from Behavior and Residential Staff throughout the school day. Join a team that values collaboration, care, and student success. Apply today!
Nexus Family Healing is a national nonprofit network of mental health agencies with over 45 years of restoring hope for thousands of children and families through outpatient/community mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment.
Safe Harbor School (SHS) is our very own private school that serves youth receiving treatment at Nexus-Indian Oak in Manteno, IL. SHS serves grades 6-12, and students participate in a curriculum tailored to their unique needs and current grade level. The school provides a special education curriculum accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement and approved by the Illinois State Board of Education. Credits transfer to any school upon the client's discharge.
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.
Provide educational instruction through a variety of accepted teaching techniques while employing behavior management strategies that will ensure the effective and efficient implementation of assigned individual students’ IEPs. Primary responsibilities: Deliver instruction and lesson plans aligned to student needs, age level, and subject expertise Assess student learning and document progress toward academic goals Support students’ academic, social, and emotional growth in a residential setting Create a positive, structured classroom environment that supports learning and treatment Apply approved de-escalation and crisis-intervention techniques when needed Collaborate with educational and treatment staff; communicate student progress clearly Develop or support IEPs and participate in required meetings and trainings Maintain student confidentiality and comply with all licensing and regulatory requirements Support the Nexus mission, values, and treatment philosophy Perform additional duties as assigned
Required Education and Licensure: Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in an educational discipline is required. Active IL PEL teacher’s licensure/certification required, with LBS1 endorsement Valid driver’s license required. Must meet state regulating agency and Home Office driving requirements Must successfully pass an IL DCFS criminal background check. Must have the ability to build strong relationships with diverse individuals or communities and understand their unique needs and challenges. Must be open to meeting the cultural needs of individuals or communities, considering factors such as language, traditions, and values. Preferred Education and Experience: 2 years previous teaching experience preferred. Active teacher’s licensure/certification specialization in the areas of EBD, LD, SED and TMH. ICARE Values & Behavioral Competencies: Innovation: Leading the way and implementing creative, cutting-edge ideas and approaches.
Listening, honoring differences, and showing respect, kindness, empathy care, and concern.
Exhibiting flexibility and adapting quickly.
Being quick, positive, and accurate.
Demonstrating quality results that surpass ordinary standards.
Work
Environment: Must be able to assist staff in physical and non-physical interventions with residents. 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 a school. At Nexus Family Healing, our voices and actions are 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!
Market context
Teacher openings in Illinois often draw steady interest because schools need licensed educators who can step into classrooms with minimal onboarding. This role is competitive for candidates with an Illinois teaching license or eligibility, a bachelor’s degree in Education or Special Education, and experience with Direct Instruction or Precision Teaching; an LBS1 endorsement is strongly preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your licensure status and highlight any instructional training in your application.