Description

Job Title: Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development Specialist

Department: STAR NET

Reports to: Project Director

Job Type: Full-Time, Salary (Exempt)

Job Location: Arlington Heights

Salary Range: $65,000 - $75,000 per year

The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning – We Teach. They Soar: Who We Are:

The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning, is a nationally recognized, nonprofit professional development and educational services organization dedicated to better teaching and learning in early childhood, elementary, secondary and adult education. The Center also provides statewide communications support for schools and districts, assisting leaders with internal and external communication needs. At The Center, we oversee programs supporting high-quality immigrant populations. Initiatives include adult education (Adult Learning Resource Center), early childhood services (Early Childhood Developmental Enrichment Center), special needs support (Star Net Region II), professional development for diverse learners (Illinois Resource Center), and tech-based instructional assessments (Technology Center for Teaching and

Learning).

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

• You will be supporting high quality, inclusive practices for young children with disabilities and their families through professional learning and technical assistance aligned with the Division of Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices and the mission of STAR NET.
• This role will be reporting to the Project Director of STAR NET.

Company Culture - Do Our Values Speak to You?

At The Center, our work is guided by the following core values:

• Dedication – Demonstrating effective and transparent leadership while providing high quality services and support to children, families, educators, educational leaders, and adult learners.
• Education – Delivering evidence-based professional learning, technical assistance, direct services, and educational programs grounded in industry standards and best practices.
• Accountability – Ensuring consistent service delivery, measurable outcomes, continuous improvement, and responsible stewardship of resources.
• Advocacy – Promoting equitable access to high-quality education, empowering learners and educators, and building strong partnerships that support children, families, and communities.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally and linguistically diverse communities and responding with sensitivity and respect to the unique strengths and needs of all individuals.

These values guide our work in early childhood education, adult education, special education, multilingual teaching and learning, educational technology, and professional development for teachers and educational leaders.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing:

• Implementing, in conjunction with team members, the goals, objectives, and activities of the grant
• Identifying and meeting the staff development needs of public school staff working with children receiving the early childhood special education services and their families in the Region II and VI service area
• Utilizing needs assessments, ISBE initiatives, training evaluation information and other formal and informal means to identify training and technical assistance needs. This may be accomplished through developing content for, or facilitating, workshops and webinars, providing technical assistance, consultations, material and resource dissemination and sharing funding opportunities
• Providing training and technical assistance via virtual meetings, telephone calls, resources, onsite visits, and workshops upon request.
• Assisting in the development and implementation of the STAR NET Region II and VI training calendar of events including supporting, presenting, or facilitating workshops and webinars
• Collaborating and coordinating services with training entities including other STAR NET regions and other professional development providers and partners when appropriate
• Participating as a member of statewide and regional committees and Communities of Practice when appropriate
• Working collaboratively with other members of the Region II and VI team to develop and present at workshops, conferences, and other trainings
• Providing accurate information regarding special education services, disabilities and other early childhood and early special education topics
• Developing and disseminating accessible resources and materials that reflect current research, family engagement practices, and respect for diversity, as well as culturally and linguistically responsive teaching
• All other duties as assigned
• Must exhibit a high level of professionalism

The Center Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Sick days: 12 days per year
• Vacation Time: 21 days per year
• Personal Business Days: 2 per year
• Holidays: all approved holidays
• Bereavement: 3 days
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance & Disability Insurance
• 403(b): Up to 10% match

The Center’s Work Environment – What to expect:

• Some travel within Region II and VI services areas (suburban Cook County as well as Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, Will, Kendall, LaSalle, Kankakee, and Grundy Counties) is required.
• Additional travel statewide will also be required.
• In office environment.
• Schedule: Monday through Friday during standard business hours, occasional evenings or weekends as needed.

THE CENTER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

Requirements

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Attention to detail
• Adaptability
• Builds positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, and educators to achieve shared goals.
• Conveys information clearly in multiple formats for diverse audiences, including educators, administrators, and families.
• Develops practical, research-informed solutions to challenges.
• Comprehensive understanding of developmentally appropriate, research-based, inclusive practices for preschoolers with IEPs.
• Knowledge of ISBE regulations, IDEA requirements, and relevant state and federal policies.
• Proficiency in using data and feedback to shape training and technical assistance offerings.
• Skilled in designing and delivering impactful workshops, webinars, and consultations.
• Ability to create accessible, research-informed materials for educators and families.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• Professional degree OR experience supporting preschool age children with individualized education plans and their families
• Experience supporting early childhood special education professionals working in classrooms
• Experience providing training and technical assistance to professionals and family members of young children with IEPs.
• Experience using technology to support training including PowerPoint and web based presentation tools