Founding Teacher for new Microschool

Guidedstudies; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional freedom with curricular autonomy

Supportive and engaged parent community

Small class sizes

Job summary

A transformative education initiative in Chicago, IL, is seeking a Founding Teacher to co-create a unique microschool. This role involves designing a curriculum based on student-centered learning and collaborating with families to shape the school's identity. Candidates should possess a passion for innovative education approaches, be comfortable with autonomy, and engage with the parent community to ensure its success. The expected compensation is approximately $70,000, depending on enrollment numbers. Join us in building a vibrant learning community where every student can thrive.

Qualifications

• Experienced in creating innovative educational approaches.
• Able to collaborate effectively with parents and students.
• Willing to handle both educational and administrative tasks.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement curriculum while collaborating with parents.
• Help shape the school's identity and values.
• Recruit families to ensure the school's viability.

Skills

Experience teaching upper elementary or middle school students

Cultural competency

Entrepreneurial mindset

Commitment to anti-racist, culturally sustaining pedagogy

Passion for experiential and inquiry-based learning

Job description

Founding Teacher for new Microschool in Chicago, IL, US

About This Opportunity:

I’m a mom exploring the possibility of launching a microschool for 15-20 students in grades daughterCourse to restore my son’s—and other children’s—love of learning. I’m looking for an exceptional educator who dreams of building something transformative from the ground up—someone who wants to be a true co‑founder in this venture.

This isn’t a traditional teaching position, and honestly, this isn’t a traditional school launch. I’ve had initial conversations with interested families who share this vision, but I volunteer transparent: we’re in the exploration phase. Thisസ്റ്റ് job posting is about finding the right educator partner to help determine if we can make this dream a reality together.

If you’ve ever imagined what education could look…with smaller classes, full curricular autonomy, and deeply invested families as partners—and you’re willing to take a leap of faith with me—let’s talk.

As our Founding Teacher you would have complete autonomy to design and implement curriculum in collaboration with me and an engaged parent advisory group. Together we’d humidity a reality that blends the best of Montessori philosophy with experiential, inquiry‑based, and problem‑solving approaches. While Montessori certification is welcomed, it’s not required—I value innovative thinking and a commitment to student‑centered learning above specific credentials.

This is truly a “many hats” role: you’d be educator, curriculum designer, school culture architect, and recruitment partner alongside me and our parent community. viver you help shape every aspect of our school’s identity as we grow together.

Full transparency: This role depends on our ability to recruit enough families to make it financially viable. I’m committed to making this happen, but I need the right educational partner to help bring families on board and build something they can’t resist.

Our Educational Vision:

• Embrace experiential and inquiry‑based learning: Students learn by doing, questioning, and discovering rather than passive listening.
• Prioritize STEAM integration: Science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics woven into meaningful projects and real‑world problem‑solving.
• Value strong literacy: Reading, writing, and communication skills as foundational to all learning.
• Cultivate global citizenship: Students develop pride in their own cultural heritage while building genuine respect and curiosity for diverse cultures and perspectives.
• Celebrate every child’s identity: Our school would honor and uplift each student’s cultural background, creating an environment where difference is a source of strength.
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• Our  vision will support 

What I’m Offering

• Compensation: Approximately $70,000 with benefits (contingent on enrollment numbers for tuition‑paying students).
• Professional Freedom: Full curricular autonomy with parent advisory consultation.

Working Conditions

• Small class size (15‑20 students total across grades 4‑6, although we could negotiate the best coupling of ages). 
• Highly engaged, supportive parent community.
• Collaborative decision‑making structure.
• Flexibility to innovate and adapt based on what works.

Professional Growth

• Founding team experience that’s invaluable for future educational leadership.
• Opportunity to present and share our model as it develops.
• Deep partnerships with families in shaping student success.

What I bring to the table

• Passion and commitment to making this happen.
• Initial conversations with interested families.
• Willingness to handle the business/administrative side alongside you.
• A clear vision but openness to shaping it together.

Who You Are

• Has experience teaching upper elementary or middle school students.
• Thrives with autonomy and takes ownership of outcomes.
• Sees small class sizes as an opportunity to truly know and differentiate for each learner.
• Believes in students as capable, curious, and competent.
• Values authentic partnerships with families and sees parents as educational allies.
• Is excited (not overwhelmed) by building something new.
• Brings cultural competency and commitment to anti‑racist, culturally sustaining pedagogy.
• Is comfortable being entrepreneurial—from helping with enrollment to ordering supplies.
• Has a genuine passion for experiential and inquiry‑based learning.
• Embraces the Montessori philosophy of following the child ट्वी and fostering independence; open to any certification.

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To Apply, please send us

• A letter telling us about your educational philosophy and why this anul opportunity excites you.
• Your resume.

I can’t wait to meet the educator who will help us bring this vision to life and build a vibrant learning community where everyniers student can thrive!