5th and 6th Grade Mathematics Teacher

Bennett Day School•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Bennett Day School is a progressive independent day school looking for passionate educators with innovative spirit and rich background in adolescent learning and school experience. We are a new type of independent school; unabashed believers in the values of progressive education, we put students at the center of the process of learning. The Bennett Day School is hiring a full-time lead teacher with an expertise in Mathematics. In this role, you’ll be part of the Middle and Upper School faculty team and be responsible for implementing the core characteristics of our progressive, project- and competency-based middle school. Reporting to our Director of Middle and Upper School, you’ll bring your experience to the team to lead a cohort of students as part of the middle school team of teachers beginning in the fall of 2026-2027. Most importantly, you’ll act as advisor to the students in a cohort, leading a group of ten as a mentor through all elements of the school experience. As a teacher, you’ll also design and teach courses, both in Project-Based Learning environments and through traditional seminars, based on the needs of our students and in your field of expertise. You’ll act as a mentor to new colleagues as our school grows in future years. THE OPPORTUNITY As one of our teachers, you’ll be intimately involved in every aspect of our growing school, and have input into major pedagogical and/or curricular decisions that the high school makes. You’ll simultaneously develop your pedagogical and design skills free from many outside constraints that you find in traditional schools, as you will be designing and implementing a project-based curriculum in a grade-free (no A’s, B’s or C’s) school. You’ll have the opportunity to develop meaningful educational relationships with students in your work as an advisor. You’ll also learn from your colleagues during the 5+ hours per week of professional development, which occur on Wednesdays when students are working with specialists. We are a small team and collaborate constantly on pedagogy, educational design, and student support. This position is ideal for someone who thrives when given the opportunity to make close connections and develop relationships with students, families and colleagues.

Requirements

3+ years experience working with adolescents in an education setting focused on Mathematics.
Recognition that your primary role is an advisor and that your content expertise is secondary to the position.
Belief and/or experience in detracked math courses that implement effective differentiated instruction.
Experience teaching math courses.
Success in, or deep interest in, designing and teaching project- or problem-based learning and competency-based learning programs.
Interdisciplinary and/or team teaching experience.
Interest in/Experience working in teams.
Successful experience working as a mentor/advisor to an adolescent within an academic setting.
Interest in/Experience designing innovative and experimental curriculum in a collaborative setting.
Commitment to continual development of one’s cultural competence.
Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Nice To Haves

Comfort in a highly collaborative, team-based culture.
Experience with and enthusiasm for inquiry-driven mathematics pedagogy models.
Experience or education in, or professional passion for, multiple content areas across traditional silos.
Experience designing online learning experiences.
Interest in the Science of the Adolescent Brain/Learning Science.
Working knowledge of one additional language (desired, but not required).
Polymathness: having wide ranging interests and experience across different content silos (you would be interested in and capable of teaching both Math and Science, for example).
Dedication to designing innovative and nontraditional curriculum.

Responsibilities

Implement the core characteristics of our progressive, project- and competency-based middle school.
Lead a cohort of students as part of the middle school team of teachers.
Act as advisor to the students in a cohort, leading a group of ten as a mentor through all elements of the school experience.
Design and teach courses, both in Project-Based Learning environments and through traditional seminars, based on the needs of our students and in your field of expertise.
Act as a mentor to new colleagues as our school grows in future years.
Develop your pedagogical and design skills by designing and implementing a project-based curriculum in a grade-free school.
Develop meaningful educational relationships with students in your work as an advisor.
Learn from colleagues during professional development sessions.
Collaborate constantly on pedagogy, educational design, and student support.
Create, in collaboration with the Middle School team, your initial design for a problem-based, inquiry driven and differentiated mathematics experience.
Plan for and meet your first group of advisees and their families.
Teach your first classes as a member of the Middle School team.
Submit regular reports on student progress.
Participate in our professional development program on a weekly basis.
Teach us about your vision for how mathematics might further integrate into our Project-Based Learning courses.
Lead conferences with families of your students.
Maintain a competency assessment of each student in your courses.
Attend admissions and marketing events as needed to share the school’s story to potential Bennett Day families.
Write narrative assessments of your students and help them develop their own learning portfolios.
Be a part of admissions events.
Attend at least one professional development experience to learn more about at least one area of our pedagogical model with which you feel you need assistance or guidance.
Chaperone events on an as-needed basis.
Be the content-area expert and an important voice in development in your field(s) of expertise.
Continue to teach math courses in addition to possible Project-Based Learning courses.
Contribute to the interview and vetting process when/if any additional faculty is hired.
Provide input on the curriculum for the 2027-2028 school year.
Other duties as assigned.