Associate Teacher (Second Grade)

Full-Time Benefits-Eligible Faculty Position - Begins August 18, 2026

NPES is seeking a collaborative, engaging, progressive, emotionally attuned, and culturally responsive Associate Teacher to assist a lead teacher in classroom instruction, support differentiation through targeted work with small-groups, and care for students during lunch, recess, and other spaces.

Associate Teachers at NPES possess a keen understanding of the social-emotional needs of children; a passion for integrated experiential learning; an interest in authentic and meaningful collaboration with colleagues; flexibility and a growth mindset; intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn new content and skills; and strong cultural literacy, embracing work with a diverse set of learners and developing practices that support an affirming, inclusive, equitable, and just classroom and school community for all.

Associate Teachers at NPES do valuable work, making a difference in the education and lives of their students. They also benefit from the mentoring of outstanding lead teachers and enjoy additional opportunities for professional growth, including participation in faculty meetings, access to workshops and the opportunity to lead clubs or coach for additional pay. Benefits include health insurance, paid leave time that can be banked or cashed out at the end of a school year (unused time), and up to $2,500 per year toward graduate studies in education.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required, with preference for a degree in education or a related field (i.e., psychology, English, mathematics, science, history, etc.)
• Experience working with children in a school, camp, club, or childcare setting
• A love of children, with an understanding of the developmental needs of students in either the early childhood or primary years
• A strong belief in the ability of all children to learn and grow
• A growth mindset, with flexible and adaptable thinking
• A personal hunger for learning and the desire to help others do the same
• Knowledge of curricular areas being taught, with a focus on literacy, math skills, and critical, creative thinking
• Technology experience and skills that enable one to integrate technology into teaching and learning in purposeful and useful ways for students
• The presence, confidence, and ability to manage a classroom of students in a healthy and effective manner
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and administration to support and extend the objectives of the curriculum
• Experience providing a nurturing, creative, challenging, supportive, and inclusive environment that fosters mutual respect and age-appropriate levels of independence
• Strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills
• A commitment to contributing to an affirming, inclusive, equitable, and just community for all

Responsibilities

• Collaborates daily with the lead teacher and co-curricular colleagues on curriculum, pedagogy, and the well-being of students
• Builds a knowledge base about the curriculum and pedagogy to support the lead teacher in instruction, differentiation, Positive Discipline, the Responsive Classroom, reading, writing, critical thinking, mathematics, social studies, science, and other North Park-designed programming
• Along with the lead teacher, assesses students’ abilities and determines individualized plans based on observations, data, and insights
• Administers assessments, such as Fountas and Pinnell, to determine student achievement levels and needs
• Along with the lead teacher, practices differentiation strategies (ie: small flexible groupings, 1:1 conferencing, graphic organizers/mapping, assessing through a variety of methods, adapting expectations to make assignments more challenging, etc.)
• Attends and assists in co-curricular classes (Art, Drama, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish) at the discretion of the co-curricular teacher, lead teacher, and administrators
• Supervises arrival, dismissal, lunch, and recess periods as assigned
• Serves as the lead teacher for the class when the lead teacher is not present or available
• Attends curriculum nights, parent/teacher conferences, parents’ association meetings, and other school events for which faculty are present
• Participates in on-site professional development and faculty meetings
• Has opportunities to extend hours in support of special events and programs, with additional compensation

About North Park Elementary School

North Park Elementary School is an independent school accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) located in Chicago's North Center-Ravenswood community. North Park serves 239 students in Preschool through 8th Grade Our students grow in the context of a positive, authentic, and committed independent school community of educators who know and appreciate them, peers who care for and support them, and parents and caregivers who engage meaningfully in our community. We are dedicated to raising confident, self-reliant individuals in partnership with families, instilling a sense of curiosity, a passion for learning, and a commitment to impacting the broader community in positive ways. North Park seeks to nurture curiosity, spark creativity, and sustain a vibrant, inclusive, community that supports all students, helping them become the best version of themselves. North Park believes that diversity is a critical source of strength for all. For more on the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, visit https://www.npeschool.org/about-us/dei/

Connections working at North Park Elementary School