Lower School Teacher Assistant

• Type: Full-Time, 10-month
• Supervisor: Head of Lower 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?

Catherine Cook School seeks an assistant who will work together with the lead teacher to build warm, respectful, and supportive relationships with students. The ideal candidate will help cultivate a safe and stimulating learning environment.

Teacher Assistants help create the foundation for a smoothly functioning classroom team by communicating openly and honestly with the lead teacher about the expectations of their roles, duties, and classroom routines.

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

• Participating in all classroom activities as determined by the lead teacher.
• Leading activities/lessons with groups of students as determined by the lead teacher.
• Being alert to students’ needs and responding appropriately.
• Discussing observations and insights about students and curriculum with the classroom team.
• Utilizing technology to expand learning opportunities, collaborate, and communicate with all members of the Catherine Cook community.
• Contributing to a collaborative learning environment and communicating effectively.
• Integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion practices that are developmentally appropriate, to encourage kindness, bravery, and empathy within our classrooms, school, city, and within a global community.
• Participating actively in discussions about cultural, racial, and other differences with students, colleagues, and families.
• Assisting with morning arrival, dismissal, lunchroom, and recess supervisory duties as assigned.
• Adhering to school policies – (e.g. reads and follows the Catherine Cook Faculty Handbook and contract).
• Contributing ideas and talents to the classroom and school community.
• Participating in weekly Wednesday staff meetings.
• Participating in professional development and reflective practices with supervisor.

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

• Community Builder: Skilled at building a strong and dynamic classroom community with effective management strategies, using the Responsive Classroom approach.
• Collaborative Team Player: Work effectively with the grade-level team, sharing ideas and responsibilities.
• Effective Communicator: Communicate thoughtfully, respectfully, and clearly with colleagues, parents, and caregivers, building productive partnerships.
• Community Engagement: Skilled in fostering community involvement and coordinating community-related activities.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to handle various tasks and responsibilities as needed.
• Positive School Culture: Ability to promote and develop a positive school culture.

Qualifications

• B.A. in progress or completed
• Prefer candidates preparing for a career in teaching, pursuing M.A. in Education, or looking for a year of classroom experience before taking on their own classrooms
• Willingness to learn and grow professionally

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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
• Identity Theft Protection

What is the salary range for this position?

In compliance with IL’s Pay Transparency Act, the salary for this position is $33,000 for candidates with a Bachelor's degree or $35,000 with a Master's degree.

Catherine Cook School is an equal-opportunity employer. We recognize that skills and insights are developed through a variety of professional and lived experiences. We seek to be more representative of the communities in which we live and who we teach.

We are intentionally seeking candidates who can demonstrate the core qualifications of this role through a combination of both non-traditional and traditional personal and professional experiences.