Music Teacher

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

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)

403b retirement match

Tuition reimbursement

Gym and wellness discounts

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

Distinctive Schools seeks a 4th-8th Grade Music Teacher for Longwood Elementary, Chicago, IL 60643. This regular full-time role reports to the Principal, with a starting salary of $70,000 for certified teachers and a start date in November 2026.

The teacher will inspire creative expression in music, implement the DS Model, prepare grade-level lessons, maintain strong student relationships, and foster engagement with families while upholding social justice and high standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• Valid Professional Educator License (IL) or equivalent.
• Content Area Endorsement in Music.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver music instruction aligned to grade-level standards.
• Use core instructional tools to design and deliver engaging lessons.
• Assess student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Communicate with families on student progress and needs.
• Participate in required professional development and meetings.

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Google Suite

Cloud-based software

Job description

Title: 4th-8th Grade Music Teacher
Location: Longwood Elementary, 1309 W. 95th Street, Chicago, IL 60643
Reports To: Principal
Salary: Starting salary for certified teachers starts at $70,000
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: November 2026

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.

An enrichment teacher is responsible for developing in each student an interest in and ability for creative expression in movement terms, using skills and techniques consistent with school guidelines; developing aesthetic understanding and appreciation; discovering and developing talent in the field of Music.

At Distinctive, 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 (minimum)

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Qualifications

• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL)
• Content Area Endorsement - Academic expertise in related field of study (Music)
• Technology demands:
  • Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple sources
  • Proficient with cloud based software solutions (such as GoogleSuite)
  • Ability to learn digital tools and and programs as needed for the position
• Travel as required for training, professional development, and collaboration
• Commitment to supporting students’ social, emotional and academic development

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, upfront sick leave, and an accrual-based personal time bank
• 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