Middle School English Language Arts Teacher

Cook County SD 130; Blue Island (IL); On-site; USD 49,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook County SD 130 is seeking a middle school Language Arts teacher responsible for creating engaging lesson plans, assessing student progress and maintaining a positive classroom environment. The role emphasizes collaboration with families and adapts instructional strategies to meet diverse learning needs.

Benefits

Mentoring program for new teachers

Competitive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance

Employee wellness reimbursement

Employee assistance program for staff and family

Qualifications

• Current Illinois Professional Educator License required.
• Experience with Google Classroom applications preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develops lesson plans for language arts with a focus on student engagement.
• Communicates regularly with families regarding student progress.
• Manages classroom behavior and promotes a positive learning environment.

Skills

Flexibility

Student-centered approach

Ability to analyze data

Engaging instructional strategies

Education

Illinois Professional Educator License

Middle school language arts endorsement

Tools

Google Classroom

Job description

Position Type:
Teaching/ Language Arts

Date Posted:
6/4/2025

Location:
District Wide

Date Available:
08/11/2025

Closing Date:
Open until filled

Develops lesson plans that demonstrate a knowledge of the important concepts and skills in language arts, as identified in the district’s curriculum.

Prepares lesson plans that incorporate best practice instructional strategies for teaching language arts at the middle school level.

Develops learning outcomes that are rigorous and aligned to the district’s curriculum.

Uses a variety of instructional resources and materials in planning engaging, rigorous, and differentiated activities that are structured to advance student learning.

Designs a variety of student assessments that are aligned with the learning outcomes, using both formative and summative assessments to:

• Monitor student progress toward the learning outcomes; and
• Adapt instruction for the whole class, individuals, or small groups of students.

Monitor student progress toward the learning outcomes; and

Adapt instruction for the whole class, individuals, or small groups of students.

Promotes positive and supportive relationships with students.

Maximizes the use of instructional time by;

• Establishing efficient classroom routines and procedures;
• Guiding instructional groups; and
• Managing classroom transitions.

Establishing efficient classroom routines and procedures;

Guiding instructional groups; and

Managing classroom transitions.

Manages classroom behavior by:

• Communicating clear expectations for student conduct;
• Proactively monitoring student behavior at all times; and
• Responding to student misbehavior in an appropriate and respectful manner.

Communicating clear expectations for student conduct;

Proactively monitoring student behavior at all times; and

Responding to student misbehavior in an appropriate and respectful manner.

Enhances the learning environment by;

• Arranging the classroom to support instruction and student activities; and
• Utilizing available technology and instructional resources to engage students.

Arranging the classroom to support instruction and student activities; and

Utilizing available technology and instructional resources to engage students.

Uses questioning and discussion strategies during instruction to:

• Engage students in critical thinking and reflection;
• Encourage students to make connections, draw conclusions, and formulate arguments;
• Challenge students to explain their thinking;
• Strengthen students’ ability to develop their own questions; and
• Assess student understanding.

Engage students in critical thinking and reflection;

Encourage students to make connections, draw conclusions, and formulate arguments;

Challenge students to explain their thinking;

Strengthen students’ ability to develop their own questions; and

Assess student understanding.

Engages students in activities and assignments that are intellectually challenging, allowing students to reflect on what they have learned.

Reflects on instructional practices in order to improve teaching and student learning.

Communicates frequently with families providing information about:

• The instruction and learning that is taking place in the classroom;
• The academic and social emotional progress of individual students; and
• How families can participate in their students’ learning.

The instruction and learning that is taking place in the classroom;

The academic and social emotional progress of individual students; and

How families can participate in their students’ learning.

Current and valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a middle school language arts endorsement.

Foundational knowledge of Google Classroom applications and the ability to incorporate technology as a means of enhancing instruction.

Individual must be flexible,creative and student centered.

Ability to assess the learning of students and modify or enhance instruction as needed.

Ability to analyze various forms of data and use the information to make instructional decisions.

Knowledge of learning styles and skill in using standards-based varied teaching methods to address student learning styles.

Strong knowledge of state learning standards and instructional best practices in language arts.

Able to work with a diverse student population and establish open and regular communication with parents and guardians.

Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Starting salaryof $49,029; (Please click the link to view the current (salary schedule);

Salary is commensurate with education and experience;

Qualified candidates may be granted up to twentyyears of verified full-time teaching experience for credit on the salary schedule;

We offer a mentoring program for teachers who are new to the District;

The District offers a competitive benefits package, which includes health (Blue Cross Blue Shield), dental (Guardian), vision (VSP) and life insurance plans (2025-2026CCSD130 Benefit Summary Guide);

Reimbursement of up to $100 for goods and activities that promote wellness as part of the District's Employee Wellness Program;

Employee assistance program offered to employees and their immediate family members.

180 days per year - August through May/June

Work Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Job Summary:
The middle school English Language Arts teacher is responsible for delivering engaging and differentiated instruction that is aligned to the curriculum and learning standards. The teacher establishes a culture for learning within the classroom, ensuring that students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The teacher maintains regular communication with parent(s)/guardian(s) with regard to the instructional program and student progress.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develops lesson plans that demonstrate a knowledge of the important concepts and skills in language arts, as identified in the district’s curriculum.
• Prepares lesson plans that incorporate best practice instructional strategies for teaching language arts at the middle school level.
• Develops learning outcomes that are rigorous and aligned to the district’s curriculum.
• Uses a variety of instructional resources and materials in planning engaging, rigorous, and differentiated activities that are structured to advance student learning.
• Designs a variety of student assessments that are aligned with the learning outcomes, using both formative and summative assessments to:
  • Monitor student progress toward the learning outcomes; and
  • Adapt instruction for the whole class, individuals, or small groups of students.
• Promotes positive and supportive relationships with students.
• Maximizes the use of instructional time by;
  • Establishing efficient classroom routines and procedures;
  • Guiding instructional groups; and
  • Managing classroom transitions.
• Manages classroom behavior by:
  • Communicating clear expectations for student conduct;
  • Proactively monitoring student behavior at all times; and
  • Responding to student misbehavior in an appropriate and respectful manner.
• Enhances the learning environment by;
  • Arranging the classroom to support instruction and student activities; and
  • Utilizing available technology and instructional resources to engage students.
• Uses questioning and discussion strategies during instruction to:
  • Engage students in critical thinking and reflection;
  • Encourage students to make connections, draw conclusions, and formulate arguments;
  • Challenge students to explain their thinking;
  • Strengthen students’ ability to develop their own questions; and
  • Assess student understanding.
• Engages students in activities and assignments that are intellectually challenging, allowing students to reflect on what they have learned.
• Reflects on instructional practices in order to improve teaching and student learning.
• Communicates frequently with families providing information about:
  • The instruction and learning that is taking place in the classroom;
  • The academic and social emotional progress of individual students; and
  • How families can participate in their students’ learning.

Desired Qualifications:

• Current and valid Illinois Professional Educator License with a middle school language arts endorsement.
• Foundational knowledge of Google Classroom applications and the ability to incorporate technology as a means of enhancing instruction.
• Individual must be flexible,creative and student centered.
• Ability to assess the learning of students and modify or enhance instruction as needed.
• Ability to analyze various forms of data and use the information to make instructional decisions.
• Knowledge of learning styles and skill in using standards-based varied teaching methods to address student learning styles.
• Strong knowledge of state learning standards and instructional best practices in language arts.
• Able to work with a diverse student population and establish open and regular communication with parents and guardians.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

• Starting salaryof $49,029; (Please click the link to view the current (salary schedule);
• Salary is commensurate with education and experience;
• Qualified candidates may be granted up to twentyyears of verified full-time teaching experience for credit on the salary schedule;
• We offer a mentoring program for teachers who are new to the District;
• The District offers a competitive benefits package, which includes health (Blue Cross Blue Shield), dental (Guardian), vision (VSP) and life insurance plans (2025-2026CCSD130 Benefit Summary Guide);
• Reimbursement of up to $100 for goods and activities that promote wellness as part of the District's Employee Wellness Program;
• Employee assistance program offered to employees and their immediate family members.

Working Conditions:

• 180 days per year - August through May/June
• Work Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Cook County School District 130 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.