Middle School Learning Specialist and Language Arts Teacher

Catherine Cook School is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our talented faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become confident leaders and lifelong learners.

At Cook, you will have the opportunity to engage in evidence-based practices and innovative learning designs, grow personally and professionally, and make a meaningful impact both within and beyond our school. We invite you to explore the open positions listed below and apply to those that align with your qualifications and passion for our mission.

Catherine Cook School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Any questions about joining the Cook community can be directed to our Human Resources team at [email protected].

40%

of faculty and staff have worked at Cook for at least 5 years

Middle School Learning Specialist and Language Arts Teacher

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Full-time

• Type: Full-Time, 10-month
• Supervisor: Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Location : Chicago, IL, on-site
• Starting Date: August 2026

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our dedicated faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become empowered learners and leaders.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community. At Cook, we commit to all community members being active learners, from our preschool students to us as adults.

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

Catherine Cook School seeks a creative and collaborative Middle School (grades 5–8) Learning Specialist who is also a Language Arts Teacher (grade 7). This educator will provide individualized and small‑group academic support across subject areas, partner with teachers to implement accommodations and differentiated instructional practices, and contribute to a coordinated approach to student well-being as part of the DEI/Wellness Team.

In addition to these responsibilities, the teacher will lead a 7th Grade Language Arts class, designing engaging learning experiences that strengthen students’ reading, writing, and critical‑thinking skills. Through this combined role, the educator will help ensure that all learners can access the curriculum, develop confidence, and fully participate in the life of the Cook community.

How will I contribute and grow personally and professionally in this role?

• Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties and administrative tasks

• Growing as a life-long learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities

• Applying skills as supported by training and protocols for proactive and responsive community building

• Proactively and reflectively communicating through various platforms the vision, goals, and progress of your work with both internal and external collaborators

• Growing our culture of belonging and wellness through active participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts

• Serving as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts

• Employing Google and Outlook Applications for individual and team collaboration and communication

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

The ideal candidate is a compassionate and intellectually curious educator who believes that young adolescents thrive when they feel understood, supported, and challenged. They see learning differences as natural variations in how students process the world. They design environments where every learner can access rigorous ideas, take academic risks, and develop confidence in their own abilities.

Grounded in research‑based learning support practices and a commitment to responsive teaching, this educator approaches their work as both a specialist and a classroom teacher. They collaborate closely with colleagues to interpret assessment data, implement accommodations, and design instruction that honors diverse learning profiles. In the Language Arts classroom, they cultivate spaces where students read deeply, write with purpose, and engage with texts that broaden their perspectives and strengthen their sense of identity.

They value growth over perfection, process over product, and relationships over routines. The ideal candidate approaches teaching as the craft of creating meaningful learning experiences that help students understand themselves as learners, advocate for their needs, and participate fully in the academic and social life of the community.

As a Literacy Specialist (75% of the role)

• Analyzing and interpreting psycho-educational evaluations to create individual learning plans that include evidence-based interventions

• Communicating student learning needs to faculty and families

• Screening, observing, and evaluating students for learning and/or attention supports

• Providing individualized and small group instruction in literacy to identified students

• Assisting teachers with differentiating instruction support or practices

• Participating in meetings regarding students of academic concern and assisting in determining what recommendations should be made to help students succeed

• Serving as a liaison between the home, school, and outside professionals, inclusive of managing a specific case load and/or serving as a Case Load Manager for the Student Services Support (SSS) Team

• Training students in self-advocacy and executive function skills

As a Language Arts Teacher (25% of the role):

• Design and facilitate engaging reading and writing experiences that nurture students’ curiosity, independence, and confidence as thinkers and communicators.

• Implement a coherent grade‑level sequence of units that may include (based on grade level) historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, mythology, dystopian literature, argumentation, and world literature, while adapting instruction to meet diverse learner needs.

• Guide students in close reading practices that deepen comprehension, strengthen analytical thinking, and build the ability to interpret complex texts across genres and cultures.

• Teach students to craft clear, purposeful writing in multiple modes (narrative, informational, argumentative), emphasizing process, revision, voice, and audience awareness.

• Foster rich classroom discussions that encourage students to listen actively, question thoughtfully, and consider multiple perspectives, especially when exploring themes of identity, justice, and social change.

• Integrate vocabulary development, grammar instruction, and language conventions into meaningful reading and writing contexts rather than isolated drills.

• Use formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, provide actionable feedback, and adjust instruction to support growth for all learners.

• Curate a diverse classroom library and incorporate texts that reflect a wide range of cultures, identities, and lived experiences to promote empathy and global awareness.

• Cultivate a classroom environment that values risk‑taking, reflection, and student ownership of learning, consistent with Catherine Cook’s whole‑child approach.

Ideal candidates will possess:

• Master’s Degree in Learning Disabilities, Specialist Education, or a related field

• Experience working within the field of learning disabilities or special education

• Background in Language Arts instruction within educational or specialized learning settings

• Experience building supportive relationships with students in grades 5-8

• Experience with teaching and supporting students in literacy

• Experience remediating grade-level curriculum for grades 5-8 in the areas of reading and written language

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with students, parents/guardians, faculty and staff are essential

What is the salary range for this position?

In compliance with IL’s Equal Pay Act, Catherine Cook utilizes a salary scale based on years of relevant experience and relevant degrees. An example for this position is a teacher with 0-10 years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree would earn between $58,000 and $76,800.

Catherine Cook School is an equal-opportunity employer. We recognize that skills and insights are developed through a variety of professional and lived experiences. We seek to be more representative of the communities in which we live and those we teach. We are intentionally seeking candidates who can demonstrate the core qualifications of this role through a combination of both non-traditional and traditional personal and professional experiences.

What else is there to know about employment at Cook?

Catherine Cook offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and financial security of our employees. Our benefits for full-time eligible employees include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 403(b) plan

• 100% of the premium covered for Basic Life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D

• HSA, FSA, Dependent Care available

• Professional Development opportunities

• Generous paid time off

• Pet Insurance

• Identity Theft Protection

Catherine Cook School does not discriminate against qualified applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual identity, religion, age, or physical disability.