Job Description

Title: Substitute Teacher
Location: CICS Irving Park, 3820 N. Spaulding Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Reports To: Principal
Salary Range: $42,029
Career Level: Substitute Teacher
Employee Type: Full Time
Start Date: January 2026

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

Substitute Teacher is responsible for the delivery of specified course content in the absence of the classroom teacher. Responsible for providing a safe educational atmosphere where students have the opportunity to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, and psychological growth. Substitute Teacher workday corresponds with the teacher’s workday.

Job Responsibilities

Instructional Strategies

• Teach scheduled classes
• Implement lesson plans, routines, and expectations set forth by the classroom teacher
• Develop and maintain a positive learning environment
• Implement effective management procedures and routines
• Maintain the confidentiality of student Information, grades, and school personnel
• Take precautions to ensure staff/student safety. Does not leave students unsupervised
• Consult with the grade level/content team to resolve questions and/or concerns
• Follow all campus procedures and schedules
• Promote the proper use and care of materials, tools, and school property
• Supervises non-classroom duties when assigned
• Provide impromptu lesson plan or activity that is developmentally appropriate as needed
• Assist students with their coursework towards mastery
• Assume all duties and responsibilities of the absent teacher
• Adapt instructional approach to meet the unique individual needs of the students
• Provide detailed notes and summary on work completed

Communication

• Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, families, and community members
• Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly

For Long Term Assignments: durations of two plus weeks

In addition to the instructional and communication responsibilities above, long term assigned will also require the following:

Added Instructional Strategies

• Develop lesson plans for length of assignment. (Plan and use appropriate instructional and learning strategies, activities, materials, and equipment that reflect understanding of the learning styles and needs of students assigned.)
• Grade student work, provide feedback, enter grades in online gradebook/reporting system, and provide summative course grade in partnership with certified staff member
• Conduct family conferences as requested

Culture:Be a positive role model for students, support the mission of the school district

Classroom Management and Organization

• Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of students
• Manage student behavior in accordance with Student Code of Conduct and student handbook
• Perform teaching related duties of the assigned school including covering another class during an absent teacher’s planning period, lunchroom duty, hall duty, bus duty and /or playground duty. Take all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities
• Provide a safe learning environment and deploy proper classroom management strategies

Job Requirements (minimum)

Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Qualifications

• Substitute Teaching License
• Technology demands:
  • Familiar with cloud based software solutions (Google Suite)
  • Ability to learn digital tools and programs as needed for the position

Physical demands: Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 10% sitting, 50% walking, and 40% standing.

Benefits

**HR to select the necessary benefits based on position**

Applicable for PT & Agency

• Distinctive Schools was named one of Crain’s 2021 Best Places to Work in Chicago; culture is at the heart of what we do.
• We are a collaborative team of professionals supporting each other to instill a love of learning in our students.
• We empower students, families and staff to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way.
• We make an impact in our communities by serving some of the most historically marginalized in the city.

Applicable for FT Direct Hires ONLY

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
  • Fully match up to 3%
  • 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO: Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191

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