Elementary Teacher

Chicago

Job Description Job Description Title: Elementary Teacher (2024-25SY)

Location: CICS West Belden- 2245 N McVicker, Chicago IL 60649

Reports To: Principal

Salary Range: Starting at $55,000, commensurate with experience

Employee Type: Regular Full Time

Start Date: August 2024

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

Distinctive teachers cultivate a love for learning in every student through strong relationships, high expectations, and a belief that all students can achieve great things in school and beyond. Teachers have a laser focus on instruction that engages learners and provides multiple opportunities for application of learned content. All teachers engage in individual and team deep intellectual preparation and lesson plans aligned to grade-level standards that use the core curriculum. Checks for understanding, student work, and assessments are used to make real-time and planned adjustments and deep review of student work to address gaps in instruction. Teachers have strong content knowledge in the subject-matter they teach in order to recognize, understand and respond to the content problems. At Distinctive Schools, teachers grow through cycles of practice, feedback, practice, and feedback. Teachers build classroom communities with strong routines, rituals, and management practices that maximize time for instruction. Teachers maintain effective and ongoing communication on progress with students and families.

Responsibilities

Culture

Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making

Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things

Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making

Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong relationships with students, families, and staff

Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset

Foster positive climate and culture

Serve as a positive role model

Preparation, Instruction and Assessment 90%

Implement the DS Model

Provide consistent opportunities for all students to to work on grade-appropriate

assignments using the core curriculum, resources, and strategies with frequent checks for understanding

Deliver strong Instruction that requires that students hold the cognitive lift and are deeply engaged in the learning

Use core instructional tools to design, prepare and deliver dynamic lesson aligned to grade-level standards that engage students in rigorous learning experiences

Commit to student-centered, personalized learning that puts the student in the driver’s seat and integrates their needs, strengths and interests into the learning

Maintain inventory of all instructional materials

Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development

Analyze and use assessments that monitor progress to inform and design appropriate response/strategies, making adjustments as needed to support students in mastering grade level standards

Assess students daily, weekly, and at the ends of units and analyze assessment data through campus and network wide systems

Engage in coaching and mentoring opportunities to improve instructional effectiveness

Participate in all required professional development and meetings

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal

Classroom Culture 10%

Maintain an organized and welcoming environment that provides students with a sense of belonging, joy, hope, and safety

Manage strong classroom procedures, routines, and rituals that maximize learning

Build strong relationships with students, families and colleagues

Communicate effectively and frequently with students and families

Has a mindset of using restorative justice approach with discipline and behavior management in alignment with campus and network practices

Collaborate with colleagues to support student growth and achievement

Requirements & Qualifications (minimum)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Qualifications

Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI) or Proof of enrollment into a Teacher Certification program within 30 days of employment

Content Area Endorsement (Academic expertise in related fields of study)

Technology demands: Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple source

Proficient with cloud based software solutions (Google Suite)

Ability to learn digital tools and programs as needed for the position

Travel as required for training, professional development, and collaboration

Physical demands

Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing.

Benefits

25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)

12 weeks family paid leave

Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)

403b match

Fully match up to 3%

50% match up to 5%

Professional development including tuition reimbursement

Gym and wellness discounts

And more

Description Disclaimer

Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected] or call 773.828.4191