Anticipated Middle School Language Arts Teacher

DAYSTAR ACADEMY•Chicago, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Daystar Academy, an IB continuum school in Chicago, is seeking a highly qualified, justice-minded middle school teacher for grades 6-8 for the 2024-2025 school year. This full-time position involves teaching 6th-8th grade IB Middle Years Program (MYP) Language and Literature. The school offers a compelling mission to empower students for positive global impact through a faith-based, culturally-engaged, and globally-minded education. Located in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, Daystar Academy has a legacy of academic excellence, spiritual dedication, and a commitment to diversity, fostering a vibrant and supportive community. The role emphasizes planning and implementing the IB-MYP program, creating aligned unit plans and assessments, integrating faith into teaching, and using data to inform instruction for holistic student growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in education and/or related field
Teaching Certification
Experience with inquiry-based teaching and learning
Experience with and value of culturally-responsive pedagogy
Growth mindset about teaching and learning
Commitment to Daystar’s Statement of Faith and working at a Christian school
Commitment to the faith development of Daystar students

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of and/or experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP) and/or IB Diploma Program (DP)

Responsibilities

Provide a safe learning environment based on Daystar Distinctives and Responsive Classroom practices.
Plan and teach, guided by appropriate standards (the common core standards or other prescribed standards, such as NGSS), and in compliance with the International Baccalaureate Standards and Practices as found in the MYP and DP subject guides, as well as according to Daystar’s expectations.
Follow IB expectations related to lesson and unit planning, teaching and reflecting.
Submit unit plans as prescribed by Director of the Middle School and High School.
Assess and reflect upon one’s teaching related to student learning.
Maintain records related to student growth and achievement, supporting and extending as needed.
Maintain student work samples, including teacher feedback and assessment, and encourage students to reflect on their work and their progress throughout the year.
Communicate in an ongoing and meaningful way with students’ parents/guardians which will ensure congruency and clear expectations about academic and/or behavioral concerns through progress reports and parent teacher conferences.
Provide assessment feedback to students and parents in a timely manner, including updating the Toddle platform regularly with assessment feedback.
Create and regularly reflect on annual individual goals based on the Daystar Academy staff evaluation.
Actively participate in staff planning meetings, prayers/devotions, and professional growth opportunities.
Maintain confidentiality about children, their families, and other employees.
Set up and maintain a creative, orderly, clean and favorable learning environment.
Demonstrate and insist on respectful use of all materials and the class environment.
Execute administrative and classroom maintenance tasks.
Model positive and respectful interactions with students and all members of the Daystar community at all times.
Support professional collaboration with teachers and staff members to ensure consistency and continuity in classroom programs.
Collaborate with teachers and staff through problem-solving, flexibility, communication and encouragement.
Adhere to all of the requirements outlined in the Staff Handbook.
Build a sense of trust in the school by fostering a respectful, cordial, and professional relationship with parents.
Be an excellent ambassador of Daystar Academy at all times.
Respect all school procedures and organizational structure.
Supervise students and generally assist as assigned.
Keep accurate records, including attendance.