High School English Teacher

Title: High School English Teacher Location: Chicago IL Reports To: Principal Salary Range: Starting at $70,000 for certified teachers Employee Type: Regular Full Time Start Date: August 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 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. At Distinctive Schools, 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 Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making Believe that all students can learn and can achieve great things Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and strong relationships with students, families, and staff Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset Foster positive climate and culture Serve as a positive role model Preparation, Instruction and Assessment 90% Implement the DS Model Provide consistent opportunities for all students to to work on grade-appropriate assignments using the core curriculum, resources, and strategies with frequent checks for understanding Deliver strong Instruction that requires that students hold the cognitive lift and are deeply engaged in the learning Use core instructional tools to design, prepare and deliver dynamic lesson aligned to grade-level standards that engage students in rigorous learning experiences Commit to student-centered, personalized learning that puts the student in the driver�s seat and integrates their needs, strengths and interests into the learning Maintain inventory of all instructional materials Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development 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 Assess students daily, weekly, and at the ends of units and analyze assessment data through campus and network wide systems Engage in coaching and mentoring opportunities to improve instructional effectiveness Participate in all required professional development and meetings Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Principal Classroom Culture 10% Maintain an organized and welcoming environment that provides students with a sense of belonging, joy, hope, and safety Manage strong classroom procedures, routines, and rituals that maximize learning Build strong relationships with students, families and colleagues Communicate effectively and frequently with students and families Has a mindset of using restorative justice approach with discipline and behavior management in alignment with campus and network practices Collaborate with colleagues…