Middle School Math Teacher

• Type: Full-Time (10-month employee)
• Supervisor: Head of Middle School
• Location: Chicago, IL, on-site
• Starting Date: August 2026

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our dedicated faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become empowered learners and leaders.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults.  Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community.  At Cook, we commit to all community members being active learners, from our preschool students to us as adults. 

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.  

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

The Middle School Math teacher will strengthen the Cook community by bringing fresh perspectives, strong collaboration, and student-centered expertise to the Middle School division, Grade Level Teams, and the Math Department. Through engaging, problem-based instruction and active participation in ongoing curriculum development, this educator will help shape a cohesive, inclusive, and forward‑thinking learning environment. By contributing ideas, partnering with colleagues, and building meaningful relationships with students and families, they will support the continuous growth and vibrancy of the Cook community both inside and beyond the classroom.

How will I contribute and grow personally and professionally in this role?

Connecting with and caring for students and colleagues through weekly duties and administrative tasks 

Growing as a life-long learner through active participation in meetings and professional development opportunities

Applying skills as supported by training and protocols for proactive and responsive community building.  

Proactively and reflectively communicating through various platforms the vision, goals, and progress of your work with both internal and external collaborators

Growing our culture of belonging and wellness through active participation in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts 

Serving as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts

Employing Google and Outlook Applications for individual and team collaboration and communication 

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

The ideal candidate is an early to mid-career dynamic mathematics educator who believes that all students are capable of deep, meaningful mathematical thinking. They create a classroom where students reason, collaborate, question, and persevere. Grounded in the Illustrative Mathematics philosophy of problem-based learning and the Building Thinking Classrooms framework for promoting student thinking, this teacher fosters a culture where students learn with understanding rather than simply doing procedures.

They value curiosity over correctness, discourse over direction, and thinking over compliance. The ideal candidate views themselves as a designer of learning experiences, not a deliverer of content, who empowers students to take ownership of their mathematical journeys.

Key Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

Learner-Centered & Problem-Based Mindset

Creates learning experiences where students make sense of mathematics through rich problems and purposeful discourse.

Prioritizes conceptual understanding, reasoning, and student-generated strategies in alignment with the Illustrative Mathematics approach.

Encourages productive struggle and supports students in developing mathematical identities built on confidence and agency.

Builder of Thinking Classrooms

Implements practices from Building Thinking Classrooms such as:

Using rich, non-routine tasks to spark thinking from the very start of class.

Encouraging students to work at vertical, visible surfaces to increase engagement and collaboration.

Forming randomized collaborative groups to promote equity, inclusion, and shared responsibility for learning.

Shifting from answer-getting to thinking, reasoning, and explaining.

Facilitator of Mathematical Discourse

Uses questioning and discussion routines that deepen understanding rather than direct students toward predetermined methods.

Listens actively to student thinking and leverages their ideas to advance the lesson.

Cultivates norms that value risk-taking, sense-making, and multiple approaches to solving problems.

Commitment to Equity & Access

Believes that every student is a mathematical thinker with unique insights to contribute.

Designs instruction that honors diverse ways of thinking and promotes inclusive participation.

Uses formative assessment intentionally to identify and support student needs without lowering expectations.

Reflective & Growth-Oriented Educator

Engages in ongoing professional learning related to IM curriculum, BTC practices, and equitable math instruction.

Reflects on classroom structures and routines to continually increase student thinking and autonomy.

Collaborates with colleagues to refine teaching practices and ensure coherence across the program.

What is the salary range for this position?

In compliance with IL’s Equal Pay Act, this position's salary range is $58,000-$111,950 based on our fixed salary scale using years of relevant experience and degrees. When extending an offer, Catherine Cook considers factors such as (but not limited to) the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Catherine Cook School is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

What else is there to know about employment at Cook?

Catherine Cook offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and financial security of our employees. Our benefits for full-time eligible employees include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 403(b) plan
• 100% of the premium covered for Basic Life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D
• HSA, FSA, Dependent Care available
• Professional Development opportunities
• Generous paid time off
• Pet Insurance option
• Identity Theft Protection