3rd-5th Grade Teacher

Distinctive Schools; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative educational institution is seeking a passionate 3rd-5th Grade Teacher to join their dynamic team. This role emphasizes cultivating a love for learning through strong relationships and high expectations. Teachers will engage students using personalized learning strategies and rigorous instructional practices. With a focus on equity and community, this position offers a supportive environment for both educators and students to thrive. If you are dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging and excellence, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

25+ Paid holidays

10 days PTO annually

12 weeks family paid leave

Comprehensive Healthcare

403b match

Professional development including tuition reimbursement

Gym and wellness discounts

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required for teaching position.
• Valid Professional Educator License or proof of enrollment in certification program.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making.
• Implement the DS Model and provide consistent opportunities for student engagement.
• Build strong relationships with students, families, and colleagues.

Skills

Classroom Management

Instructional Design

Culturally Responsive Teaching

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

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Title: 3rd-5th Grade Teacher (2025-2026SY)

Location: CICS Prairie- 11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Reports To: Principal

Salary Range: Starting at $58,682, commensurate with experience

Employee Type: Regular Full Time

Start Date: August 2025

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 [e-mail] or call 773.828.4191

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Entry level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Education and Training

• Industries

  Education Administration Programs and Primary and Secondary Education

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