Location
Job Purpose:
As one of the first charter schools in Illinois, Perspectives Charter Schools has a long record of preparing students for success in college and beyond. Our five schools across the South Side of Chicago offer students an education that combines character development and academic rigor through the A Disciplined Life education model—with impressive results. Our students come from some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country, but they graduate from high school, enroll in college and persist in college at a rate above the national average for all students, regardless of background.
The keys to our success are our dedicated, hard-working, creative and compassionate teachers. At Perspectives, teachers help our students learn to live the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life, while also providing high-quality, rigorous instruction in their subject areas. Perspectives teachers make meticulous plans for units and lessons that focus on higher-order thinking skills, use formative assessment to guide their instruction, provide differentiated support to all students, and build meaningful and professional relationships with students and families. They are ambassadors for A Disciplined Life and believe passionately in the potential of our students.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Masters content area and is able to teach students in a clear and effective manner to drive academic achievement.
• Makes meticulous plans for units and lessons that address higher-order thinking skills, and uses formative assessment to constantly adjust plans based on student needs.
• Differentiates instruction to meet the needs of students with varying academic strengths and weaknesses.
• Demonstrates effective classroom management skills and builds a classroom culture based on the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life.
• Actively participates in professional development and works collaboratively with instructional leaders to improve instructional practices.
• Builds meaningful and professional relationships with students and families.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the principal or other school leadership.
Experience/Training:
• Must be Highly Qualified in relevant subject areas according to the Illinois State Board of Education
• Evidence of success working in an urban school environment strongly preferred
Core Competencies:
• A strong commitment to live by the 26 principles of A Disciplined Life and a belief that all students in Chicago deserve an excellent education
• A willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve outstanding student outcomes
• Strong classroom management skills with the ability to inspire and motivate students
• A commitment to life-long learning with the desire to take advantage of professional development and coaching to constantly improve
• Mastery of content knowledge and the ability to communicate clearly to students
Language Skills:
• Ability to read and write proficiently using the English language.
• Ability to interact and speak effectively in interpersonal situations and before groups of people.
Benefits Summary:
Perspectives offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for all full-time employees, including health insurance, dental, vision, paid time off including holidays, short and long term disability, paid life insurance, 403B and the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund.
Physical Demands:
Teaching children can be physically demanding. Nature of work requires an ability to operate standard business office equipment. Requires the ability to communicate and exchange information, collect, compile and prepare work documents, set-up and maintain work files. Teachers will also be expected to clean and maintain equipment and facility, and may move throughout the community with children. Physical demands require the ability to stand, bend, reach high and low, stoop, walk around the classroom and kneel upwards of 60% of the day. In addition walking up and down stairs several times a day. Must be able to lift 15 to 20 pounds for short periods of time and push and pull 15 to 20 lbs.
Majority of work will be performed in a general office/school environment. Position requires availability for extended hours plus non-traditional hours required to perform job duties. Also requires participation and attendance at organization sponsored events and meetings.
Perspectives Charter Schools works affirmatively to include diversity among its workforce and does not discriminate in the selection of its staff on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, income, marital status, or any other dimension of diversity. We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position.