PreK Special Education Teachers, North Lawndale, Penn Elementary

Alma Advisory Group•Chicago, IL

11d•Onsite

About The Position

As an educator serving North Lawndale, you will have the privilege of partnering with families and community members who are deeply invested in their children's success and the neighborhood's continued growth. You will serve not only as a classroom teacher but as a vital part of a wraparound support system that extends beyond traditional school hours to meet the needs of students and families. Within the context of the CPS Framework for Teaching, our educators are expected and supported to utilize a continuous improvement process that refines their practice and enhances their effectiveness, both individually and collectively. Under the supervision of the school principal, you will be responsible for the instruction, progress, and social-emotional development of all students in your assigned classes. This role requires flexibility to engage with students and families beyond the 7-hour school day, including after-school programming, family engagement events, and community partnerships. You will work within a small school environment (typically 180-400 students) where deep relationships are the foundation of our work. These schools carry multi-generational legacies where you may teach students whose parents and grandparents walked the same halls, creating a uniquely familial atmosphere where everyone knows each other's names and stories. As a school team, we also strive to foster a close-knit, collegial environment where collaboration is essential to how we work.

Requirements

Strong Vision Alignment and Execution
Advocate for the district’s vision and commit to our district’s common themes of equity, cultural competence, high expectations, developmental appropriateness, attention to individual students based on their unique needs, appropriate use of technology, and student assumption of responsibility.
High Quality Instructional Practice
Demonstrate a deep understanding of content, pedagogy, and student knowledge in order to identify and implement learning objectives, and to design coherent instruction and assessments.
Use data to inform instructional decisions and deliver Tier 1 instruction to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
Personalize student learning through individual mastery, targeted interventions, and innovative use of curriculum supplements and technology resources.
Engage in action research and ongoing analysis of student work to continuously refine teaching practices
Learning Environment Design and Classroom Management
Create a welcoming, inviting, and joyful physical classroom space that is organized for learning and reflects students' identities and cultures
Establish an environment for effective student learning and growth by building a respectful classroom culture with strong management of student behaviors and classroom procedures that promote and appreciate the cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity of students.
Teachers will have successfully completed all student teaching requirements as well as all course work required to obtain the appropriate teaching certificate(s) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Teachers must possess at least one of the following valid teaching licenses issued by the Illinois State Board of Education: Professional Educator License (PEL), Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) or a Substitute License.
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools, any applicant selected through this partnership must also submit an application with the district .
In addition, employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.

Responsibilities

Establish and Communicate High Expectations for Students
Demonstrate a belief in students through actions and words
Hold all students to rigorous, grade-level expectations while providing the support and scaffolding students need to meet them
Share a commitment to excellence and opportunities for all students
Hold a clear mission and values orientation aligned with North Lawndale’s vision
Serve as a Relationship Builder
Partner effectively with students, families, colleagues, and leadership (advisory committees, local boards, etc.) to support student success
Approach all interactions with deep respect for students, parents, caregivers, and community members as valued partners
Work collaboratively with a diverse team to design positive learning experiences for all students
Foster a positive culture and community in the classroom and among peers
Engage in Reflective Learning
Approach work with a growth mindset and engage in reflection about strengths and gap areas
Remain open to coaching, feedback, and constructive dialogue as essential tools for professional growth
Engage in learning, teaching, and responsive practices that challenge prior knowledge or beliefs
Remain open to sharing and accepting new ideas
Lead through Cultural Responsiveness and an Equity Focus
Lead with understanding and commit to honoring the culture, history, and assets of the North Lawndale community
Possess a deep understanding of equity and the application of equitable practices to student success
Model a belief in the humanity of all of our students and families and affirm their identities and capabilities
Commit fiercely to improving outcomes for children—specifically, underserved Black and brown children