AERO Special Education Cooperative

08/24/2026

✈️ Join Us for A.E.R.O. Open House! 💙

We are excited to welcome our students and families to Open House on Thursday, August 27, from 4:15–6:15 p.m.!

Open House is a wonderful opportunity to meet your student's support team, learn more about course content and expectations, and build connections within our A.E.R.O. community!!! We look forward to seeing our A.E.R.O. families and spending the evening together! 💙✈️

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https://www.canva.com/design/DAHK-BM7n6o/jqvdUvGVqRqHmtWXp7ZCgg/view #2

08/20/2026

✨ 2026 Heather Ginden Aviator Award of Excellence ✨

Last Wednesday, during A.E.R.O. Opening Day 2026, we were excited to announce that Nancy Marback-Pehler is the recipient of the 2026 Heather Ginden Aviator Award of Excellence! 🏆✈️

Melissa Fary, the 2024–2025 Heather Ginden Aviator Award recipient, had the honor of announcing this year’s award recipient.

The Heather Ginden Aviator Award of Excellence is one of the highest honors bestowed upon an A.E.R.O. staff member and recognizes those who exemplify excellence, leadership, innovation, and positivity in their daily work and interactions.

Congratulations, Nancy, on this well-deserved honor! Your dedication and commitment to the A.E.R.O. community truly embody the spirit of this award and Heather’s lasting legacy.💙

Congratulations, Nancy! We are so proud to celebrate you!✈️

08/07/2026

Introducing our new Spirit Wear Store! Welcome to Sideline Store, THE place to score personalized spirit wear and accessories from all your favorite brands. For a limited time, enjoy 20% OFF during your A.E.R.O. Special Education store’s Grand Opening Sale with code SPIRIT20. Happy shopping, A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative fan!

Click to shop: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/burbank/a.e.r.o.-special-education-cooperative

08/07/2026

The Back-to-School Aviator Gazette for 2026-2027 is here!

We are so excited to kick off another year of learning, growth, and connection with our students and families. Inside this edition, you'll find important back-to-school information, reminders, upcoming events, and resources to help your family start the year off strong.

Thank you for being an important part of our A.E.R.O. community. We can't wait to welcome our students back and see all they accomplish this year!

Click here to get the Gazette!

Aviator Gazette, Back to School!

06/10/2026

🚨 WE'RE GROWING — AND WE'RE HIRING! 🚨

A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative (in Burbank- about 15 minutes from Midway Airport and 25 minutes from Orland Park) is experiencing continued enrollment growth, and with more students to serve, we're expanding our programs, adding classrooms, and looking for passionate professionals to join our team!

📢 Walk-In Interview Event
🗓 Tuesday, June 16
⏰ 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 5400 W. 77th Street, Burbank, IL 60459

🚀 Apply before the event:

https://www.applitrack.com/aero/onlineapp/default.aspx?all=1

We're hiring for a variety of positions, including:

✅ Special Education Teachers- Elem, HS, Post HS
✅ Speech & Language Pathologists
✅ Behavior Intervention Specialists w/ PEL or BCBA certification
✅ Occupational & Physical Therapists
✅ School Certified Nurses (CSN)
✅ LPN & RN Nurses
✅ Instructional Assistants- Short Term Paraprofessional License valid through 6/30/2026
✅ Substitute Teachers
✅ Job Coaches- Transition Department
✅ Job Developer- Transition Department
✅ DRS/Youth Services Coordinator- Transition Department

🌟 Whether you're an experienced professional, just starting your career, or looking for a meaningful change, A.E.R.O. offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of students with disabilities.

🌟 Paraprofessional/Instructional Assistant Short Term License:

• Must be age 19 or older

• High School Diploma or equivalent required (Bring diploma to the hiring event)

• Cost $50 + processing fee (Debit/Credit Card- paid to ISBE)

No appointment necessary—just walk in!

As we continue to grow and create new learning opportunities for our students, we're looking for dedicated individuals who want to grow with us.

📱 Scan the QR code or visit our employment page to learn more.
📞 708-496-3330 x1210
📧 [email protected]

Help us spread the word! Share this post with educators, therapists, nurses, and anyone looking to make a difference. Together, we're redefining what is possible in special education. 💙

06/09/2026

Our hearts are incredibly heavy today as we share the news that a truly special member of our A.E.R.O. family, Randy Schmitz, has passed away.

Anyone who had the privilege of working with Randy knows just how much brighter he made our school community. We are profoundly grateful for the years we got to share with him, and the beautiful legacy of care he leaves behind at A.E.R.O. will never be forgotten.

Please keep Randy’s family and loved ones in your thoughts as they navigate this painful time. For those who would like to attend his services or express their condolences, the arrangement details can be found here:

View Randy R. Schmitz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/03/2026

If you’ve ever crossed paths with Randy Schmitz at AERO, you know exactly what a bright light he is. As a job coach, he has dedicated himself to lifting up countless students and staff members, always bringing pure joy, kindness, and dedication to everyone around him.

Right now, Randy and his family need our support. They are facing an incredibly tough battle.

Randy has given so much to our community. Please consider donating if you are able, or sharing this post to spread the word. Every bit of love and support helps.

❤️ Donate here:

Five years ago, I met Amanda and Randy when our daughters became best fr… Nicole Chapman needs your support for Prayers and Support for the Schmitz Family

05/26/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that A.E.R.O. has earned state-level recognition and the PBIS Storytelling Badge by the Midwest PBIS Network for the second year in a row! 🎖️✈️

At the center of this milestone is our dedicated PBIS Leadership Team. They didn't just maintain the status quo; they courageously set out to build a stronger framework for our students' success.

The team looked closely at our data and established highly specific goals focused on aligning our diverse programs, improving classroom environments, and expanding tiered behavioral supports. Crucially, their plan includes specific measures for holding themselves and each other accountable to making A.E.R.O. the premier and innovative learning institution that our students truly deserve.

True growth takes courage, and our team has leaned into that challenge completely. Thank you to our PBIS Leadership Team, our staff, and our families for keeping us moving forward!

05/14/2026

Thank you for visiting us, Mustangs! 💚💙

05/13/2026

Our May Gazette is now available! We hope you enjoy seeing highlights, celebrations, and updates from across our programs this month. You can view the May edition here: https://app.smore.com/n/n5jh3

Thank you for your continued support, and we hope you have a wonderful month ahead!