Permanent Substitute Teacher

School District 97; Oak Park (IL); On-site; USD 46,125 - 46,863; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance

Pre-tax retirement plans (e.g. 403b)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

School District 97 is seeking a Permanent Substitute Teacher to support student learning and foster an inclusive environment for diverse cultural backgrounds. The role requires a Professional Educator License and a Bachelor's Degree or higher. Responsibilities include instructing students, developing lesson plans, and collaborating with fellow educators.

The ideal candidate has a positive attitude and effective communication skills to engage with parents and maintain a supportive classroom atmosphere.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in a school setting, particularly elementary or middle school.
• Ability to create an inclusive learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Instruct students using provided lesson plans.
• Develop lesson plans as needed.
• Communicate with parents and collaborate with other teachers.
• Maintain classroom safety.

Skills

Positive attitude

Ability to communicate with parents

Collaboration skills

Effective communication

Education

Professional Educator License or Substitute License

Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Job description

Permanent Substitute Teacher

Revised: September 2025

Job Details

• Term/contract: Temporary
• Department: Core Instruction
• FLSA Status: Non-exempt
• Reports to: Building Administration
• Primary Reporting Location: Assigned School Building
• Level: PK-8
• Compensation: $254/day
• Date Available: SY-26-27
• Bargaining Unit & Classification: N/A
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None
• Benefits: Insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available), Retirement (pre‑tax retirement plans e.g. 403b available), PTO is available

D97 Ideal Team Member Profile

• The ideal team member in District 97 is a visionary and equity-centered leader who inspires excellence and fosters collective responsibility for student success. This individual:
  • Champions the district's vision and drives forward‑thinking, innovative practices that anticipate future educational needs.
  • Stewards public trust and resources with fiscal responsibility and ethical transparency.
  • Demonstrates relentless commitment to student success, ensuring that every decision supports equitable opportunities and outcomes for all learners.
  • Organizes and empowers teams to work collaboratively toward shared goals, recognizing the interdependence of roles across departments and schools.
  • Fosters a culture of care, learning, and service, grounded in authentic engagement with students, families, staff, and community members.
  • Models integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, serving as a role model for ethical and respectful conduct at all levels.
  • Thrives in a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse environment, showing a deep passion for inclusive practices and building belonging for all team members.
  • Seeks and embraces feedback, especially when it challenges them to grow and improve in service of students and colleagues.
  • Understands the powerful intersection of leadership, learning, and equity, and aligns their work to dismantle systemic barriers.
  • Courageously addresses unprofessional behavior, holding self and others accountable to high standards in service to the community and students.

About the Role

The permanent substitute position supports students' learning by demonstrating a passion for working with elementary and middle school age students. As a key member of the district, the ideal person has the ability to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. They establish a positive rapport with students, motivating them to develop the skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to pursue their full potential.

Permanent substitutes fill both short‑term and long‑term assignments. They commit to learning and implementing evidence‑based instructional strategies, as well as program planning, supporting students' individual needs, effectively communicating and collaborating with parents, administrators, and fellow educators as needed. The Permanent Substitute position will ensure that equity is at the center of the district's substitute services to positively impact student learning and employee practices as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Communicate and collaborate regularly with other teachers in regards to planning, assessment, parent and community contact, and grade level meetings;
• Instruct students in assigned classroom by using lesson plans provided by the teacher or by enacting new lesson plans;
• Convey information to students to prepare them for testing, achieve curriculum goals, and ensure the teacher's absence does not cause an interruption in classroom instruction;
• Develop lesson plans as needed;
• Gain familiarity with district curriculum and resources;
• Maintain classroom safety;
• Attend and contribute in staff meetings, professional development activities and teacher institutes;
• Perform supervision duties as assigned;
• Assist in development of curricular materials as assigned; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Positive attitude
• Willingness to help supervise
• Ability to collaborate with others
• Ability to communicate with parents
• Flexible and willing to adapt to change at short notice
• Ability to teach day to day assignments or longer term positions
• Ability to instruct and communicate well with elementary and middle school students
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, utilizing tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Competent in operating standard office and classroom equipment, including computers and assigned software.
• Ability to understand and relate to students with special needs.
• Adherence to District organization, operations, policies, and objectives, as well as department and program goals.
• Skillful interpretation, application, and explanation of policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Effective communication, cooperation, and maintenance of cooperative working relationships with others.
• Accurate analysis of situations and adoption of effective courses of action.
• Ability to prioritize and schedule work efficiently.
• Proficient in maintaining records and preparing reports.
• Consistent, punctual, and regular attendance.

Candidate Qualifications

• Professional Educator License or Substitute License
• Previous working with children in a school setting (elementary or middle school).
• Bachelor's Degree or Higher

Physical Requirements

This position requires the performance of light work—which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking, climbing stairs and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere. The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.

EEO Statement

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. The mental demands, physical demands, and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.