Qureos Mentor

Distinctive Schools

<div>Title: Special Education Teacher 
Location: Loomis Elementary 9535 S Loomis St, Chicago, IL 60643 
Reports To: Principal 
Salary: Starting Salary $65390, commensurate with experience 
Employee Type: Regular Full Time 
Start Date: September 2025
The mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.
Position Overview
Special Education Teachers are responsible for practices and behaviors which demonstrate necessary teaching competencies, effective classroom management, positive personal qualities, and other instructional matters. The role of the Special Education Teacher is to ensure that all students have equal instructional opportunities and to create environments in which teaching and learning are challenging, dynamic, and comprehensive. The teaching of the essential curriculum of each teacher&rsquo;s discipline is grounded in the understanding that the aim of education is personal growth, the development of individual talents, abilities, and values; the acquisition of knowledge; and the pursuit of understanding.
Responsibilities
Culture
<ul><li>Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making</li>
<li>Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things</li>
<li>Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making</li>
<li>Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong relationships with students, families, and staff</li>
<li>Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset</li>
<li>Foster positive climate and culture</li>
<li>Serve as a positive role model</li>
</ul>
Professional Responsibilities
<ul><li>Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues, students, families, and community members</li>
<li>Use effective communication skills to present information accurately and clearly</li>
<li>Maintain positive relationships with students, parents and colleagues</li>
<li>Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development</li>
<li>Professional Commitment: has good attendance and regularly participates in all staff, department, and committee meetings in addition to other school/district events</li>
<li>Plan and supervise assignments for paraprofessionals, volunteers, and student teachers, and make written evaluation as required</li>
<li>Inform families regarding student progress, the instructional program, and other school issues</li>
<li>Complete and update compliance related Special Education tasks in accordance with state and federal mandates</li>
</ul>
Classroom Management and Organization
<ul><li>Work closely with team members and families to best meet the needs to students</li>
<li>Support classroom procedure (classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, and performance of non-instructional duties occur smoothly)</li>
<li>Support student behavior (Standards of conduct appear to be clear to students, and the teacher monitors students&rsquo; behavior against those standards. The teacher&rsquo;s response to student misbehavior is appropriate and respects the students&rsquo; dignity)</li>
</ul>
Instructional Strategies
<ul><li>Serve as primary instructor for students with identified learning needs in a variety of settings</li>
<li>Develop lessons that address students academic, interpersonal, social and emotional needs</li>
<li>Provide research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student&rsquo;s Individualized Educational Program (IEP)</li>
<li>Develop and implement annual Individualized Educational Program (IEP) plans for students to include: present levels of educational performance, special education needs, instructional goals and objectives, and the special education and related services required to meet those goals</li>
<li>Make collaboration a priority with members of the IEP team</li>
<li>Monitor progress to ensure all students are demonstrating high rates of growth</li>
<li>Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development</li>
<li>Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse social-emotional, cultural, economic and ability backgrounds</li>
</ul>
Requirements (minimum)
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Qualifications
<ul><li>Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI)</li>
<li>Valid Special Education License in state of employment (IL or MI)</li>
</ul>
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
<ul><li>25+ Paid holidays &amp; 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)</li>
<li>12 weeks family paid leave</li>
<li>Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)</li>
<li>403b match
<ul><li>Fully match up to 3%</li>
<li>50% match up to 5%</li>
</ul></li><li>Professional development including tuition reimbursement</li>
<li>Gym and wellness discounts</li>
<li>And more</li>
</ul>
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</div>

Special Education Teacher

<div>Title: High School Spanish Teacher 
Location: CICS Longwood- 1309 W 95th St, Chicago, IL 60643 
Reports To: Principal 
Salary: Starting at $61,029 commensurate with experience 
Employee Type: Regular Full Time 
Start Date: September 2025
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
Distinctive teachers cultivate a love for learning in every student through strong relationships, high expectations, and a belief that all students can achieve great things in school and beyond. Teachers have a laser focus on instruction that engages learners and provides multiple opportunities for application of learned content. All teachers engage in individual and team deep intellectual preparation and lesson plans aligned to grade-level standards that use the core curriculum. Checks for understanding, student work, and assessments are used to make real-time and planned adjustments and deep review of student work to address gaps in instruction. Teachers have strong content knowledge in the subject-matter they teach in order to recognize, understand and respond to the content problems.
The role of the Senior Seminar Teacher is to develop in each 12th grade student a clear path to the best post-secondary college and career options and assist students in successful transitions to career or college. The focus of the teacher is to ensure graduating students master subject content and credentialing skills that contribute to their educational, social development, and career/college readiness. At Distinctive, teachers grow through cycles of practice, feedback, practice, and feedback. Teachers build classroom communities with strong routines, rituals, and management practices that maximize time for instruction. Teachers maintain effective and ongoing communication on progress with students and families.
At Distinctive, teachers grow through cycles of practice, feedback, practice, and feedback. Teachers build classroom communities with strong routines, rituals, and management practices that maximize time for instruction. Teachers maintain effective and ongoing communication on progress with students and families.
Responsibilities
Culture
<ul><li>Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making</li>
<li>Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things</li>
<li>Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making</li>
<li>Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong relationships with students, families, and staff</li>
<li>Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset</li>
<li>Foster positive climate and culture</li>
<li>Serve as a positive role model</li>
</ul>
Preparation, Instruction and Assessment
<ul><li>Create curriculum that is backwards planned from college enrollment timeline and school goals</li>
<li>Design and implement assessments and benchmarks that measure progress towards goal</li>
<li>Use data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices</li>
<li>Support students in creating ambitious college lists, writing personal essays, and submitting thorough applications before early action due dates</li>
<li>Complete FAFSA, Alternate Financial Aid Application, CSS Profile, and other financial verification forms with students and parents by due dates</li>
<li>Review financial aid letters with students and caretakers</li>
<li>Manage a caseload of students in addition to being a teacher of record for college seminar class</li>
<li>Participates in quarterly family nights to communicate critical info regarding the college process to families</li>
<li>Support coordination of college visits for all grade-levels</li>
<li>Host college representatives for informational sessions</li>
<li>Implement the DS Model</li>
<li>Provide consistent opportunities for all students to to work on grade-appropriate</li>
<li>assignments using the core curriculum, resources, and strategies with frequent checks for understanding</li>
<li>Deliver strong Instruction that requires that students hold the cognitive lift and are deeply engaged in the learning</li>
<li>Use core instructional tools to design, prepare and deliver dynamic lesson aligned to grade-level standards that engage students in rigorous learning experiences</li>
<li>Commit to student-centered, personalized learning that puts the student in the driver&rsquo;s seat and integrates their needs, strengths and interests into the learning</li>
<li>Maintain inventory of all instructional materials</li>
<li>Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development</li>
<li>Analyze and use assessments that monitor progress to inform and design appropriate response/strategies, making adjustments as needed to support students in mastering grade level standards</li>
<li>Assess students daily, weekly, and at the ends of units and analyze assessment data through campus and network wide systems</li>
<li>Engage in coaching and mentoring opportunities to improve instructional effectiveness</li>
<li>Participate in all required professional development and meetings</li>
<li>Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal</li>
</ul>
Requirements (minimum)
Education: Bachelor&rsquo;s Degree
Qualifications
<ul><li>Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment or Proof of enrollment into a Teacher Certification program within 30 days of employment</li>
<li>Technology demands:
<ul><li>Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple sources</li>
<li>Proficient with cloud based software solutions (such as GoogleSuite)</li>
<li>Ability to learn digital tools and and programs as needed for the position</li>
</ul></li><li>Travel as required for training, professional development, and collaboration</li>
<li>Commitment to supporting students&rsquo; social, emotional and academic development</li>
</ul>
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
<ul><li>25+ Paid holidays &amp; 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)</li>
<li>12 weeks family paid leave</li>
<li>Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)</li>
<li>403b match
<ul><li>Fully match up to 3%</li>
<li>50% match up to 5%</li>
</ul></li><li>Professional development including tuition reimbursement</li>
<li>Gym and wellness discounts</li>
<li>And more</li>
</ul>
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</div>

High School Spanish Teacher

Join Distinctive Schools and explore 2   exciting career opportunities. They're hiring for various roles with options for remote or on-site work. Apply today and become part of their innovative team.

Distinctive Schools

ABOUT_COMPANY

Special Education Teacher

High School Spanish Teacher