English Teacher (Begins August 2026)

Job Summary:

Francis W. Parker School is a renowned JK-12th grade independent day school. Founded in 1901 on the tenets of progressive education, the School currently enrolls 940 students and employs 200 dedicated faculty and staff members who, in addition to assistant teachers, substitute teachers and coaches, work together to ensure that the School lives up to its Mission to “educate students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse, democratic society and global community.”

We are seeking a dynamic, innovative, and experienced English teacher to join our faculty. Responsibilities include teaching four sections of 7th Grade English, serving as a student advisor, leading a community service group, and chaperoning class trips, among other duties. Curricular areas include a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to 7th grade English that focuses on creative and expository writing, rhetoric, and the critical analysis and synthesis of diverse texts—including novels, graphic novels, short stories, and poetry. There are also opportunities to serve as a coach or club sponsor.

Required Qualifications:

• B.A. in English/Language Arts or Secondary English Education required; M.A. or Ph.D. preferred
• At least three (3) years of experience teaching at the Middle School level, plus a strong grasp of the unique developmental needs of early adolescents and the learning needs of Middle School students
• Ability to teach, reinforce, and build core reading and writing skills that inspire an appreciation for reading and writing across genres; adept at employing differentiated learning strategies to meet a range of academic needs
• Commitment to progressive education
• Experience applying diverse instructional methods, pedagogy, and learning frameworks
• Demonstrated record of developing one’s own cultural competency and incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion practices into the curriculum
• Commitment to collegiality, collaboration, and partnership within a subject -specific department and grade-level team
• Experience serving as an Advisor to students within an Advisory Program structure
• Commitment to chaperoning grade-level trips and other field experiences
• Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and emotional maturity
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in English/Language Arts, progressive education, and other innovative classroom practices

Compensation:

Salary Range: Approximately $70,022 - $133,748

Faculty positions are paid on a step-level salary scale, commensurate with background and years of experience. Francis W. Parker School provides an excellent employee benefits program, including but not limited to: health and dental insurance, term and supplemental life insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA’s), commuter benefits, and 403b retirement plan. Information on Parker’s comprehensive benefits package can be found here.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume (no telephone inquiries please).

The faculty, staff and administration of Francis W. Parker School are integral parts of the School's community. Through their passion, dedication and commitment to the School's mission, they create and support an environment where exceptional child-centered learning can occur.

Francis W. Parker School is committed to cultivating a community of dedicated students, parents, faculty and staff, trustees, administrators and alumni, who acknowledge, respect, and esteem diversity in our school; and who reflect, through their presence, the diversity of Chicago communities and the wider world.

Francis W. Parker School is an equal opportunity employer.