Long Term Guest Teacher - Science

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200•Oak Park, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF) is seeking an innovative, student-centered educator to join its Science Division. This position involves a dual teaching assignment in AP Physics 1 and Physics-Chemistry. The ideal candidate will embrace a hands-on, practice-based approach to learning, focusing on transferable skill development over rote memorization. A significant aspect of the Physics-Chemistry assignment includes co-teaching with a Special Education educator to deliver an inclusive and highly supported curriculum. This role requires a strong collaborator who can work effectively within team-oriented environments, including co-taught classrooms and Teacher Collaboration Teams (TCTs), to ensure equitable and high-quality learning experiences for all students. OPRF is a comprehensive public high school known for its diverse student body and commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success. The school values diversity and is focused on closing opportunity gaps for under-represented students. OPRF is an equal opportunity employer aiming to increase the diversity of its workforce.

Requirements

Valid Illinois Professional Educator’s License with Physics and Chemistry endorsement preferred.
Commitment to equity and creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents including correspondence in print or electronic formats.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the school community.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in verbal or written form.
Ability to withstand long-term use of computer devices.

Nice To Haves

Physics and Chemistry endorsement preferred on Illinois Professional Educator’s License.

Responsibilities

Design and lead classroom experiences rooted in driving phenomena and guided inquiry, fostering student-led discourse, active sense-making, and deep conceptual understanding across all student readiness levels.
Align grading and assessment practices with core scientific competencies—investigation, modeling, data synthesis, and evidence-based communication—utilizing accommodations and scaffolded rubrics to support individual student growth.
Normalize the scientific process by framing mistakes, model revisions, and data recalibrations as essential steps toward mastery rather than academic penalties.
Work productively with course-level teams to co-design units, analyze student work, refine instructional strategies, and ensure consistency of rigorous, accessible science content across sections.
Empower every learner to engage in authentic scientific thinking, providing the necessary supports for students of all abilities to ask original questions, investigate real-world phenomena, and communicate their findings collaboratively.
This job may involve supervision of student teachers and/or teaching assistants.