Social Science Teacher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

7th Grade Social Science Teacher

Revised: May 2026

Perm/contract: 

SY26-27

Department:

Core Instruction

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Reports to:

 Core Instruction Administration 

Primary Reporting Location:

Brooks Middle School

Level:

Middle School- Grade 7

Compensation:

In accordance with Oak Park Teachers Association Collective

Date Available:

SY26-27

Bargaining Unit & Classification:

OPTA & Certified 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Benefits:

Insurance- medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available

Leaves- paid sick, and personal days provided 

Retirement- pre-tax retirement plans (e.g. 403b available)

D97 Ideal Team Member Profile

• The ideal team member in District 97 is a visionary and equity-centered leader who inspires excellence and fosters collective responsibility for student success. This individual:
  • Champions the district's vision and drives forward-thinking, innovative practices that anticipate future educational needs.
  • Stewards public trust and resources with fiscal responsibility and ethical transparency.
  • Demonstrates relentless commitment to student success, ensuring that every decision supports equitable opportunities and outcomes for all learners.
  • Organizes and empowers teams to work collaboratively toward shared goals, recognizing the interdependence of roles across departments and schools.
  • Fosters a culture of care, learning, and service, grounded in authentic engagement with students, families, staff, and community members.
  • Models integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, serving as a role model for ethical and respectful conduct at all levels.
  • Thrives in a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse environment, showing a deep passion for inclusive practices and building belonging for all team members.
  • Seeks and embraces feedback, especially when it challenges them to grow and improve in service of students and colleagues.
  • Understands the powerful intersection of leadership, learning, and equity, and aligns their work to dismantle systemic barriers.
  • Courageously addresses unprofessional behavior, holding self and others accountable to high standards in service to the community and students.

About This Role

District 97 seeks a dedicated and dynamic full-time social science teacher to join our team. The job of the teacher is done for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional process by serving as an instructional leader with the specific responsibility of supervising students within the classroom and other assigned areas; developing lesson plans and delivering group and individual student instruction within established curriculum guidelines; collaborating with other teachers, other professional staff, and administrators in addressing instructional and/or classroom dynamics; and responding to a wide range of inquiries from students' parents or guardians regarding instructional programs and student progress in support of the district's equity commitments as expressed in  Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• PLANNING AND PREPARATION
  • Applying Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy
  • Knowing and Valuing Students
  • Setting Instructional Outcomes
  • Using Resources Efficiently
  • Planning Coherent Instruction
  • Knowing and Valuing Students
  • Designing and Analyzing Assessments
• LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
  • Cultivating Respectful and Affirming Environments
  • Fostering a Culture for Learning
  • Maintaining Purposeful Environments
  • Supporting Positive Behavior
  • Organizing Spaces for Learning
• LEARNING EXPERIENCES
  • Communicating About Purpose and Content
  • Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
  • Engaging Students in Learning
  • Using Assessment for Learning
  • Responding Flexibly to Student Needs
• PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Engaging in Reflective Practice
  • Documenting Student Progress
  • Engaging Families and Communities
  • Contributing to School Community and Culture
  • Growing and Developing Professionally
  • Acting in Service of Students   
     
    

Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Teaching  Social Science Classes based on C3 Framework:
  • Engage students in challenging content through well-designed inquiry-based learning activities that require complex thinking while providing multiple opportunities for students to become civically engaged, socially responsible, culturally aware, and financially literate.
  • Design and implement effective social science curriculum, lessons, and activities aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for social science.
  • Utilize current and emerging technologies as learning/teaching resources.
• Individualized Instruction: Provide differentiated instruction to meet the unique needs of our learners, considering various learning styles, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Assessment and Progress Monitoring: Develop and administer assessments to evaluate students' proficiency and monitor their progress. Provide timely and constructive feedback to students and parents.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with other teachers, administrators, and support staff to create a cohesive and integrated educational experience for all students.
• Parent and Community Engagement: Foster positive relationships with parents and the community by communicating effectively about students' progress, organizing parent-teacher conferences, and participating in school events.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of diverse backgrounds to create an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment.
• Professional Development: Stay current with best practices in education, attend professional development opportunities, and actively engage in ongoing learning to enhance teaching skills.
• Classroom Management: Establish and maintain a positive and structured classroom environment that promotes a love for learning, mutual respect, and collaboration.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Education.
• Valid PEL with social science endorsement
• Preferred previous experience working with middle school students
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to fostering a culturally responsive and inclusive learning environment.
   
  

Physical Requirements: 

This position requires the performance of light workwhich requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking, climbing stairs and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity.  The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere.  The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.

Apply through Frontline:

Applications are currently being accepted for this position via our district website.  Please reach out to our human resources department at district97hr@op97.org, if you have questions about the application process.

We encourage interested applicants to apply, as we continue to uplift our equity policy. Our goal is to recruit, employ, support, and retain racially and linguistically diverse and culturally competent administrative, instructional and support personnel. Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. 

The mental demands, physical demands, and work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow an employee with disabilities to perform the essential functions.