Temporary Academic Teacher (TAT): Middle School ELA Teacher (Grades 6–8) – Bilingual Preferred

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Position Title: Middle School ELA Teacher (Grades 6–8)

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the school principal, the Middle School ELA Teacher is responsible for delivering high-quality, standards-aligned English Language Arts instruction to middle school students (Grades 6–8). The teacher fosters critical thinking, reading comprehension, writing proficiency, and effective communication skills while managing student progress, classroom environment, and discipline in accordance with district guidelines and Chicago Public Schools policies.

Specialty Functions:

• Hold a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with an endorsement in Middle Grades (5–8) English Language Arts or Elementary Education (K–9) with a Middle School ELA concentration.

• Design and execute rigorous ELA units aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts, focusing on literary and informational text analysis, writing across genres, vocabulary acquisition, and speaking and listening skills.

• Differentiate instruction to support diverse student populations, including English Learners (ELs) and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), collaborating with special education staff and ESL/bilingual specialists.

• Utilize formative and summative literacy assessment data (such as NWEA MAP, IAR, and writing rubrics) to monitor growth, adjust instructional strategies, and deliver targeted interventions.

Essential Functions:

Within the context of the CPS Framework for Teaching, all teachers utilize a continuous improvement process to refine their teaching practice. The Middle School ELA Teacher will:

• Planning & Preparation: Demonstrate a deep understanding of middle school ELA content, adolescent literacy development, and pedagogy to select clear learning objectives and design coherent, engaging instruction and assessments.

• Classroom Environment: Establish a respectful, supportive, and culturally responsive classroom culture tailored to early adolescents. Maintain effective management of student behaviors, routines, and transitions that appreciate the cultural, racial, and linguistic diversity of the student body.

• Instruction: Engage students through high-level questioning, text-dependent analysis, structured discussion techniques (e.g., Socratic seminars, literature circles), and aligned writing tasks that cultivate independent, critical thinkers.

• Communication & Collaboration: Maintain strong oral and written communication skills and exercise sound professional judgment in all interactions with administration, colleagues, families, and students.

• Safety & Climate: Prioritize student safety through consistent implementation of the CPS Student Code of Conduct and school-wide restorative justice and behavioral systems.

• Technology & Resources: Integrate digital tools, modern media, and curriculum supplements to personalize learning and foster digital literacy skills.

• District Alignment: Advocate for the district’s vision and commit to core themes of equity, cultural competence, high expectations, developmental appropriateness for middle school learners, and student agency.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

• A valid Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), with the appropriate endorsement(s) for Middle School ELA (Grades 6–8). (Information on obtaining licensure can be found at isbe.net/licensure).

• Completion of the CPS online application and teaching profile at cps.edu/teach.

Physical Requirements:

• Light Work: Exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally, or up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently, or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Employment Expectations:

• Residency: As a condition of employment with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), an employee must be an actual resident of the City of Chicago or become a resident within six months of their employment date. Exemptions may be available for specific high-needs roles.

• Onboarding: All new hires must satisfactorily complete all CPS onboarding requirements, including a tuberculosis test, drug test, and state and federal criminal background checks. CPS is a drug- and alcohol-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Policy:

It is the policy of the Board to prohibit unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of any classification protected by the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and applicable federal, state, or local laws or ordinances, including but not limited to race, color, sex (including pregnancy discrimination), gender identity/expression, age, religion, disability, national origin, or sexual orientation.

• Equal Opportunity Compliance Office: (773) 553-1013

• Title IX Inquiries: (773) 553-1195