SUMMER DAY TEACHER

ACADEMIC TEACHER - Chicago Lights Summer Day

Job Description

March 2024

Classification: Non-exempt

Status: Temporary, Part-Time

Reports to: Director, Tutoring and Summer Day

Program Description

Summer Day Program provides dynamic summer learning and enrichment to students through creative academic, arts, and enrichment programming to combat summer learning loss. Summer programs incorporate activities that encourage creativity, exploration, and critical thinking, such as language arts, math, science experiments, and field trips. Summer programs provide opportunities for children to interact with peers outside of the school setting. This socialization helps develop important social skills such as communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Summer Day is a safe place for students to learn and grow by sharpening their academic skills in language arts and math and engaging in music, dance, acting, art, and meditation.

Summary Description

The Academic Teacher for Summer Day is responsible for teaching grade-level appropriate instruction to students, aligned with the Common Core State Standards in the area of language arts, writing, and mathematics. Each Teacher will collaborate with the Associate Director - Reading Specialist to create objective-driven, student-focused lessons, including the

use of hands-on, engaging learning techniques in line with the summer’s theme. Teachers and other Summer Day staff will enforce a program-wide classroom and management plan to ensure an organized, safe, and learning-centered environment.

Schedule

This is a seasonal, limited part-time position. Summer Day is in session from June 24 – Aug 2, 2024, (no programming on July 4th & 5th. The schedule for this position is 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday – to Thursday; and 8:00 to 3:00 pm on Fridays (Field Trips), Wednesday, July 31 (Final Rehearsal), and Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 (Final Performance Day). Additionally, a few staff meeting dates will be set (Mandatory Staff Meeting in June - date TBD Planning Meetings TBD.

Why Work for Us

At Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Lights, we offer more than just a job; we provide an opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary. Nestled in the heart of Chicago's iconic Magnificent Mile, our location is more than just a workplace; it's an experience. Here's why you'll love working here:

Work-Life Balance: We understand that a healthy work-life balance is essential. With these incredible surroundings, you'll have ample opportunities to rejuvenate and recharge, whether it's a walk on the beach, a lakeside jog, or simply watching the sunset over Lake Michigan after a productive day.

Meaningful Impact: By joining Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Light, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of individuals and communities.

Professional Growth: Working with Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Light provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development.

Positive Work Environment: Fourth Church/Chicago Lights values collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual respect. We foster a positive work environment where teamwork and open communication are encouraged.

Diverse and Supportive Team: Our organization values diversity and believes in the strength that comes from bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide appropriate grade-level instruction in language arts, writing, and mathematics to 12-15 students per class, 160 minutes per day, Monday-Thursday.
• Provide written lesson plans to the Associate Director-Reading Specialist one week in advance of classes.
• In partnership with the Associate Director-Reading Specialist, develop student goals and outcomes and administer student assessments and reports.
• Collect and capture student work as requested by the Reading Specialist. Submit in a timely manner.
• Identify students who may need additional educational support and collaborate with the Associate Director-Reading Specialist to coordinate and ensure the delivery of necessary services.
• Responsibly manage and preserve instructional resources and materials during the program and return resources in the same conditions at the end of the program.
• Maintain excellent and timely communication with the Associate Director-Reading Specialist, including responding to emails, texts, and/or phone calls in a timely manner.
• Communicate with parents as needed. Include Associate Director-Reading Specialist in email communications.
• Plan pre-field trip activities and participate in and monitor all field trips.
• Provide a safe environment by escorting students to and from classes and mealtimes and supervise student mealtimes as scheduled

• Communicate with the Associate Director-Reading Specialist regarding all student behavioral concerns and work together with all staff to create a safe, positive, and calm environment.
• Adhere to the Tutoring and Summer Day Programs’ employee policies.
• Provide a welcoming, inclusive, and productive environment for volunteers.
• If absent, support with securing a reliable substitute with similar and/or the same qualifications.

• Provide trauma-informed care to all, ensuring that program environments and interactions are safe, inviting, and demonstrate best practices.

• Attend staff meetings as required.
• It is impossible to convey every single task into one job description. As the role evolves over time, this job description will be adjusted accordingly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and state of Illinois teacher certification in elementary education and/or related fields.
• Experience teaching language arts and mathematics. Knowledge of current teaching strategies, methodologies and Common Core State Standards.
• Classroom teaching experience and excellent classroom management skills.
• Comfort and talent in working with black and Hispanic students, grades 1 – 6.
• Experience teaching students with learning disabilities is preferred but not required.
• Computer skills including Microsoft 365 suite of products.
• Comfortable receiving constructive instructional feedback.
• Flexibility to shift priorities based on human and budget needs.
• Understanding of and commitment to providing trauma-informed care.
• Strong work ethic and judgment, apparent collaboration skills, and a commitment to Chicago Lights’ mission.
• Commitment to racial equity and social justice: Recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities, and work toward amplifying community voices to advocate for equity. Recognize how your own identities show up in work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an

employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable

accommodation may be made to enable individuals with different abilities to perform essential.

functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Must be able to lift 15-25 pounds at times.

• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

• If the current health conditions dictate, one must be able to participate in online virtual communications, including email, video conferencing, and other online tools used to facilitate virtual office culture and work sharing.

• Smoke- and drug (illegal or recreational)-free environment.

• Fourth Church/Chicago Lights aims for accessibility in any off-site location that we have control of, but some of them may not be fully accessible.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and

scanners. An employee is regularly required to communicate effectively via computer,

via phone, and in person.

Application Process

• Email subject line should read Your name/Academic Teacher- Chicago Lights Summer Day Program.

EEO Statement

Fourth Presbyterian Church/Chicago Lights is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status or familial status, veteran status, military status, source of income, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by law. Fourth Church/Chicago Lights seeks to build and retain a diverse staff and is committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. Fourth Church/Chicago Lights is committed to elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Native people, immigrants and refugees, low-income people, LGBQ+, and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and young parents. We encourage people from these communities to apply.