Primary Professional Function 

Educators at The Frances Xavier Warde School (FXW) are hired with the invitation and encouragement to be life-long learners. FXW will employ faculty who enjoy teaching, who are progressive and innovative in their craft, who love working with students, who are great colleagues, and who truly find joy in their profession.  We expect that an FXW faculty member possesses the necessary knowledge, teaching skills, character, and commitment to be productive members of the FXW community.  Additionally, the FXW teacher will adhere to the unique Catholic mission and interfaith values of FXW School.

At FXW, we aspire that each teacher is successful. To do so, an FXW teacher will do the following:  

• Utilize effective instructional strategies with students.  

• Be willing to grow in their profession.

• Create and manage the classroom in a positive manner, respecting the dignity of all.

• Embrace the FXW Mission and Charisms.

• Complete annual goals and seek professional development opportunities.

• Maintain a positive rapport with all members of the FXW community.

• Fulfill routine duties and expectations in a dependable manner.

Preschool Program Description

At The Frances Xavier Warde School, our preschool curriculum is composed of a series of child-initiated learning experiences.   With teacher guidance, children develop interests in many topics and investigate these topics through long-term projects and themes. Learning is inquiry-based; focusing on cognitive, linguistic, physical and social-emotional development.   Integration of these learning domains with project work provides the opportunity for children to learn from real-life experiences and their own research. Children ask questions which guide investigations and the direction of study; they make decisions about activities, the ways in which they will research the topic, and how their learning will be represented and showcased.  The children become the experts!

Duties/Responsibilities

Preschool Teacher Primary Functions

The preschool teacher is responsible for facilitating the social and emotional development of all learners through play and child-centered environments created within the classroom. The classroom teacher fosters and maintains relationships with students and families and is a part of the preschool team.

Compliance

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements. 

• Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training.

• Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.

• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.

• Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff.

Qualifications and Requirements 

• A bachelor's or master's degree in education.

• A valid, issued State of Illinois teaching certificate is preferred.  

• A master’s degree in a curriculum area is preferred.  

A candidate must demonstrate:

• The ability to establish collaborative relationships with co-teacher/teaching staff.  

• Strong interest to teach in an inclusive faith-based school and comfortable teaching a Religion Curriculum- either Catholic or Interfaith in subject matter.  

Key Relationships 

The Teacher reports to the Campus Principal and will be supervised, evaluated, and mentored by the Principal and/or Assistant Principal. Other key relationships include campus leadership, Head of School, other teachers and administrators, staff, students and parents.

Physical Requirements

Standing and Movement:

• Middle school teachers frequently stand for extended periods while teaching, and they need to be able to walk around the classroom and maneuver in tight spaces.

Clear Communication:

• Teachers must be able to speak clearly and project their voice to be heard by students, as well as understand the speech of others. 

Visual Acuity:

• They need to be able to see details of objects at various distances, including those within a few feet and those further away. 

Hearing:

• Teachers must be able to hear sounds and distinguish between them and focus on one source of sound while ignoring others. 

Fine Motor Skills:

• Teachers may need to use their fingers to grasp, move, or assemble small objects. 

Physical Stamina:

• The job can be physically demanding, requiring teachers to stay active and engaged throughout the day. 

Occasional Physical Tasks:

• Teachers may need to kneel, squat, or stoop, to interact with students or access materials. 

Adaptability:

• Teachers need to be able to adapt to different classroom environments and activities, which may involve standing, sitting, or walking. 

Work Environment

High Social Interaction:

• Middle school teachers have a high level of social interaction with students, parents, and other staff members. 

Classroom Management:

• They must be able to manage diverse student behaviors and create a positive learning environment. 

Communication:

• Teachers communicate regularly with students, parents, and colleagues via phone, email, in-person meetings, and written correspondence. 

Conflict Situations:

• Teachers may encounter conflict situations with students or parents, requiring strong communication and conflict resolution skills. 

Collaboration:

• Teachers work as part of a team with other educators and staff members. 

Physical Environment:

• Teachers work indoors in classrooms but may also work outdoors for physical education or sports activities. 

Technology:

• Teachers must be comfortable using technology for instruction, communication, and assessment. 

Travel Requirements:

• Local travel between campuses, as necessary, to fulfill student curriculum and/or program requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

FXW offers a competitive salary and robust benefits program, commensurate with experience and consistent with independent schools.

Expected compensation for this role includes a salary within the range of $54,820 - $64,696.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Medical        

• Dental

• Vision

• Life & Disability

  • Short-Term Disability

  • Long-Term Disability

  • Basic Life & AD&D

  • Voluntary Life & AD&D

• Voluntary Benefits

• Financial Wellness

  • FSA

  • Commuter Benefits

  • 403B Retirement Savings

• Wellbeing & Balance

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  • Mental Health Resources

If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. FXW is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications?  We understand. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and welcome a chance for us to review your background. We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skills, workplace experience, and backgrounds.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

FXW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and values candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We encourage individuals who may not meet 100% of the listed requirements, but who believe they could excel in this role, to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and within the workplace to support all employees in performing the essential functions of the job.

Non-Discrimination Policy                                                                                                                                                    

It is The Frances Xavier Warde School’s goal to attract, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff that are inspiring, diverse and committed to the school’s mission. We support our teachers and staff by welcoming them into an environment that encourages them to excel and by maintaining a rich benefits package that helps them flourish and grow personally and professionally.

FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to student admissions and employment.

We invite you to become a part of our community, and FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. No phone calls, please.

Mission Statement

The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students.

The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.