The Chicago Academy for the Arts

Temporary Literature Teacher, Parental Leave - Full Time

The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Illinois’ premier visual and performing arts high school, seeks a literature teacher for a long-term maternity leave substitute beginning in late August and concluding in late October.

The Academy’s educational model is co-curricular: students engage in rigorous, college-preparatory academic classes for five hours each day before being immersed in 3-5 hours of professional-level training in Dance, Media Arts, Music, Musical Theatre, Theatre, or Visual Arts. (Note: The Chicago Academy for the Arts is not “ChiArts”, a CPS school)

This position involves teaching two levels of literature courses: a freshman-level Introduction to Literary Analysis and a junior/senior-level elective focused on World Literature. Both courses will use an established curriculum that is reading- and discussion-centric and culminates in compositional assessments. A daily Advisory Period will also be part of daily responsibilities.

The ideal candidate will have a masters degree in teaching and/or English Literature and clear evidence of success working with adolescents in a high school setting. Masters-level students who have a strong desire to teach, particularly with adolescents are encouraged to apply.

Students at The Academy are characterized by an extraordinary sense of purpose and community. Most continue with the arts after high school; alums include hit songwriters, Grammy Award winners, Broadway stars, internationally acclaimed dancers, and award-winning filmmakers and writers. Students also pursue degrees and careers outside of the arts: many alums are working in the fields of science, mathematics, technology, business, law, and medicine. 

Successful teachers at The Academy are deeply passionate about their subject area and its pedagogy, believers in the ethos of independent schools, committed to ongoing communication with colleagues and families, and have the interest and energy to uphold a rigorous curriculum while having a greater degree of autonomy than is typical at a larger high school.

Compensation: $12,500.

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume via email to Nick Roux, Co-Chair of the Humanities Department, at: nroux@chicagoartsacademy.org. The Academy is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a culturally diverse faculty, and all qualified applicants — regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law — are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Chicago Academy for the Arts

Established in 1981, the Chicago Academy for the Arts is a nationally recognized, internationally influential independent high school acclaimed for its successful academic model and intellectually savvy graduates. Designated a National School of Distinction by the John F. Kennedy Center, The Academy transforms emerging artists through a curriculum and culture which connect intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity to impart the skills to lead and collaborate across diverse communities.

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