2025-26 Great Lakes Academy Music Teacher (Grades 5-8) About Great Lakes Academy Great Lakes Academy (GLA) is a high-performing, single-site charter school located in South Chicago. Our mission is to prepare all of our students with the fundamental academic skills, critical thinking ability, and strength of character to excel in high school, college, and a career of their choice. We empower all of our students with the education today that they will need to change the world tomorrow. Our staff work hard to close opportunity gaps for our scholars, and the data speaks for itself: In 2024, on the rigorous Illinois Assessment of Readiness, GLA had the highest percentage of students reaching proficiency in ELA and Math of all elementary schools in Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore, and South Chicago. Additionally, GLA scored in the top 20% of schools in the state in ELA growth and top 6% of schools in math growth. We are proud of our growth and achievement, but we have our sights set even higher for the 2025-26 school year, and we need your help to reach our goals. We are seeking a high-capacity, hungry, and humble 5th-8th Grade Music Teacher . Job Description The Great Lakes Academy Music Teacher will be a part of a team of game-changing teachers working to change the face of education on the Southeast Side of Chicago. Our Teachers take responsibility for the high academic achievement and character development of every child in their classrooms. Our Music Teacher will be a part of our Enrichment Team and Middle School Team and will instruct grades 5-8. This person should be committed to providing culturally relevant music instruction to our middle school students. Job Outputs Demonstrates a positive classroom culture and devotes the majority of time to instruction, minimizing discipline Instills a joy of learning in students and works to develop motivated and self-monitoring learners with the skills to set, monitor and meet academic and SEL goals Employs previous experience, best practices, and creativity to connect with students to ensure student achievement and growth in music performance and theory Establishes relationships with students and students' families, communicating frequently and partnering in student success Cultivates engaging, rigorous learning environments for our students in and out of the classroom Consistently model the Great Lakes Academy Be GREAT virtues: Gratitude, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, and Truthfulness Develops a strong relationship with, and contributes to the development of, fellow teachers; collaborates with all staff members across team, grade level and subject area Drives decisions based on student data and positive student growth Job Responsibilities Writes and delivers lesson plans that are engaging and effective per student data in grades 5-8 Implements classroom instruction that supports the academic, critical thinking and social-emotional growth of students Cultivates positive, collaborative relationships with families and consistent communication with families Assesses and evaluates student growth; action plans on class-wide, group-wide and individual basis in response to student data Creates a classroom culture that develops in students the Be GREAT virtues and independent learning skills Participates and grows tremendously during annual three-week staff orientation and training Provides meaningful feedback to colleagues and collaborates and shares ideas and lessons and best practices with colleagues Demonstrates dedication and determination for student growth and student success that is measurable Plans for and leads student musical performances at least twice a year Competencies Outstanding classroom management that relies on positive, proactive reinforcement of high behavioral standards and consistent classroom systems & procedures Strong relationship builder with students, families, and other staff members; is kind Critical thinker with ability to analyze data and adjust plans based on feedback & data to improve student achievement Growth mindset and ability to accept and implement feedback Ability to work collaboratively and without ego Willingness to place student achievement as highest goal Self-reflective, with a drive to continually grow as a teacher Willingness to work hard and flexibly in a dynamic environment, fast-changing environment Ability to quickly learn and implement technology innovations in the classroom Job Requirements Bachelor's degree is required. Teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required Valid IL State Certification Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy's core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable. Culture Fit- Do these words describe you? Commitment to social justice and equity, Fiercely positive, Hard-working, Intelligent, Team oriented, Organized, Sense of humor, Belief in the power of education, Humble, Self-reflective, Goal-oriented, Enthusiastic, Growth Oriented As an equal opportunity employer, Great Lakes Academy hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law