Special Education Co-Teacher

2025-26 Great Lakes Academy Special Education Teacher - Middle School
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 Special Education Teacher (Grades K-3).

A Great Lakes Academy Teacher will be part of a team of talented, committed 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. All teachers in grades 1-8 are departmentalized. Our Special Education
Teachers typically co-teach in core general education classes across multiple grade levels.

• Internalize and deliver lesson plans that are rigorous, relevant, and engaging, setting students up for success in high school, college, and beyond
• Lead a safe, structured, supportive classroom culture by building relationships with students, leveraging systems & routines, and consistently implementing GLA’s code of conduct
• Use academic data to inform whole-group, small-group, and individual instruction and to drive student growth and achievement
• Establish relationships with students’ families, communicating frequently and partnering in student success
• Consistently model the Great Lakes Academy Be GREAT virtues:
  Gratitude, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, and Truthfulness
• Collaborate with all staff members across team, grade level and subject area
• Actively participate in weekly 1:1 coaching and regular professional development (PD), including our three-week summer PD in July/August

• Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy’s core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable
• Growth-oriented:
  Self-reflective with a growth mindset and ability to accept and implement feedback
• Responsible:
  Willingness to work hard, be flexible, followthrough, and overcome obstacles in the pursuit of achieving challenging goals
• Kindness:
  Strong relationship builder with students, families, and other staff members
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for your academic subject
• Willingness to place student achievement as highest goal
• Committed to educational equity and serving Black and Brown students on the South Side of Chicago

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required
• Eligibility to work in the United States on a full-time basis
• Valid IL Professional Educator License (PEL) as a Learning Behavior Specialist required

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