Elementary - 5th Grade Teacher - 2026/2027 - LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE

About the Role

Deerfield Public Schools District 109 fosters challenging experiences that build confidence, collaborative relationships that create community, and creative environments that ignite curiosity. We aim to develop each student to be emotionally resilient, socially skilled, and academically prepared by embracing their uniqueness and forging connections within, across, and beyond our classrooms.

Responsibilities

• Align lesson content to common curriculum goals, content standards, and benchmark standards.
• Design lessons with authentic, real-world applications of knowledge and understanding.
• Collaborate with staff to identify and implement effective differentiation and remediation strategies.
• Plan and execute formative and summative assessments, communicating results clearly.
• Use student data to inform and adapt instruction.
• Integrate legal mandates (504 and IEP plans) effectively into the classroom.
• Maintain accurate records of student information, including allergies, behaviors, and medical conditions.
• Prepare detailed, organized lesson plans for substitute teachers, including emergency medical information.
• Maintain a safe, student-centered classroom that supports learning, collaboration, and choice.
• Develop a positive classroom culture emphasizing respect for individual differences and high achievement.
• Establish and enforce clear classroom procedures, routines, and standards of conduct.
• Communicate timely and informative updates to parents regarding curriculum and expectations.
• Respond to parent inquiries in a timely manner, adhering to district expectations.
• Engage in age-appropriate, respectful dialogue with students through various communication formats.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues, specialty, and special education staff to address student needs.
• Share classroom events, performance, and progress with community stakeholders via traditional and social media.
• Integrate prescribed technology and instructional media to enhance learning.
• Understand and apply legal, ethical, and social guidelines for responsible use of digital resources.
• Ensure safe storage and proper use of technology materials and equipment.
• Stay current with evolving technology and use adaptive/assistive devices to support all students.
• Engage in ongoing self-assessment and refinement of teaching practices.
• Attend required staff, department, mentor/mentee, and in-service meetings.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support partnerships and maintain organized student growth data.

Requirements

• Professional Educator License (PEL) or Substitute License (SUB) issued by the State of Illinois.
• Endorsement in Self-Contained General Education K-9 or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education or related field from an accredited institution.
• Completion of a teacher preparation program and successful completion of State proficiency exams.
• Successful completion of student teaching and/or internship.

Skills

• Working knowledge of curriculum, subject content, and developmental needs of students.
• Ability to align lessons with curriculum standards and integrate higher-level thinking skills.
• Proficiency in linking content with past/future learning, other subjects, and real-world experiences.
• Strong subject-matter expertise and relevant instructional skills.
• Understanding of intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of students.
• Collaborative communication with peers, parents, and community members.
• Ability to maintain records, prepare reports, and meet schedules and deadlines.
• Professional initiative and independent planning and organization.
• Student-centered approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Problem-solving in situations with limited standardization and varied variables.
• Interpretation of technical instructions in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, talk, hear, taste, and smell.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Primarily works indoors but may occasionally be outside in an educational environment with moderate noise levels.
• Directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.
• Duties may be performed in various settings, including libraries, cafeterias, parking lots, gymnasiums, auditoriums, hallways, and on field trips.

Schedule

Full-time, long-term substitute position from November 6, 2026, to March 19, 2026, following the teacher work calendar.

Pay

$300 per day.

This position is classified as at-will and non-exempt, reporting to building administration.