K-8 Spanish Teacher

Distinctive Schools•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Distinctive Schools seeks a K-8 Spanish Teacher for CICS Prairie in Chicago, Illinois. Teachers cultivate a love of learning through strong relationships, high expectations, engaging instruction, and the belief that all students can achieve. They prepare lessons aligned with grade-level standards and the core curriculum, use checks for understanding and assessment data to adjust instruction, and build classroom communities with effective routines and management practices. Teachers communicate with students and families about progress and grow through ongoing practice, feedback, and professional learning. The posting also includes responsibilities and overview language related to a Senior Seminar Teacher and college-readiness work, including supporting students with college applications and financial aid. These duties appear in the supplied description alongside the K-8 Spanish Teacher title. The role is based at CICS Prairie, 11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628, reports to the Principal, and is scheduled to start in October 2026. Starting salary for certified teachers is $70,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Valid Professional Educator License with a K-12 World Language Spanish Endorsement from the Illinois State Board of Education, or proof of enrollment in a teacher certification program within 30 days of employment.
Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple sources.
Proficiency with cloud-based software solutions such as Google Suite.
Ability to learn digital tools and programs as needed.
Commitment to supporting students' social, emotional, and academic development.

Responsibilities

Maintain a student-centered perspective and contribute to campus and network equity work through culturally responsive decision-making.
Build a culture of belonging through positive relationships with students, families, and staff; foster a positive climate and serve as a role model.
Create curriculum backwards planned from college enrollment timelines and school goals; design assessments and benchmarks, and use data to refine curriculum and instruction.
Support students with college lists, personal essays, applications, financial aid forms, and reviewing financial aid letters, as described in the posting.
Manage a caseload of students in addition to serving as teacher of record for a college seminar class; participate in family nights and support college visits and representative sessions, as described in the posting.
Implement the Distinctive Schools model and provide opportunities for students to work on grade-appropriate assignments using core curriculum, resources, and strategies, with frequent checks for understanding.
Deliver rigorous, engaging instruction that keeps students cognitively engaged and uses core instructional tools to design lessons aligned to grade-level standards.
Provide personalized, student-centered learning that incorporates students' needs, strengths, and interests.
Maintain inventory of instructional materials and accurate, complete records of student progress and development.
Assess students daily, weekly, and at the ends of units; analyze assessment data and adjust strategies to support mastery of grade-level standards.
Participate in coaching, mentoring, professional development, and required meetings.
Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Principal.
Travel as required for training, professional development, and collaboration.