Who we are
The Steans Family Foundation, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools and leading North Lawndale Early Learning Centers, is working to recruit 40 passionate educators for the 2026–2027 school year.
We’re seeking educators for both Early Learning Centers and K–12 classrooms across North Lawndale. This is more than a teaching position—it’s an opportunity to be part of a community-driven movement rooted in equity, cultural responsiveness, and transformative education.
Participating Early Learning Centers include:
Participating CPS Institutions include:
North Lawndale is experiencing a renaissance. With investments in housing, commercial development, and community centers featuring technology and arts programming, the neighborhood is honoring its legacy while building toward a thriving future.
As a teacher in North Lawndale, you'll join a collaborative network that values:
Equity and cultural responsiveness in every classroom
Strong partnerships between schools, families, and community organizations
Whole-child development that nurtures academic, social, and emotional growth
Professional growth through mentorship, coaching, and collaborative learning
North Lawndale is a vibrant and historically significant neighborhood on Chicago’s west side, with deep roots in the civil rights movement and the Great Migration. Today, it’s home to award-winning schools, innovative community organizations, and families committed to building a thriving future for their children.
Join us for on-site interviews with school and program leaders. Dress for success and be ready to share your vision!
Through community partnerships, coaching, and educator-centered initiatives, we make sure you feel confident and supported as you transition into your role.
Hear from school and early learning center leaders about why they and the educators they work with chose North Lawndale—and discovered purpose, connection, and extraordinary impact.
Our goal across North Lawndale schools is to create proficient readers and writers by the second grade. Our children's futures depend on it.
With only 3 STEAM schools in the North Lawndale district, our educators are dedicated to forging new pathways to educate the youth.
How Educators Shape the Future Here. Teachers and Staff reflect on their impact and the legacy they help build for North Lawndale’s children.
North Lawndale offers teaching opportunities across both Early Learning Centers (ELCs) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). While both roles are rooted in equity, excellence, and community impact, the structure, expectations, and daily experiences differ. This breakdown helps you choose the environment that best aligns with your experience, interests, and career goals.
Early Learning Centers in North Lawndale serve children from birth through age five and focus on creating nurturing, play-based environments that support the whole child. Educators in ELCs design developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster curiosity, language development, social-emotional growth, and early academic foundations. Teaching in an ELC is highly relationship-driven. This requires close collaboration with families, site leaders, and community partners. These roles are ideal for educators who are passionate about early childhood development, culturally responsive teaching, and building strong, joyful foundations that set children up for lifelong success.
Teaching positions of the participating schools within Chicago Public Schools (CPS) serve students across elementary and middle school grade levels. They operate within a structured, standards-aligned academic environment. CPS educators deliver curriculum guided by Illinois learning standards, support academic progression, and contribute to students’ long-term educational growth. These roles emphasize instructional planning, classroom management, assessment, and collaboration with grade-level teams and school leadership. CPS positions are well-suited for educators who thrive in traditional school settings, value academic rigor, and are seeking professional growth opportunities within a large public school system.
Under the supervision of your school principal, you will:
Design and deliver high-quality, culturally responsive instruction aligned with the CPS & ELC Framework for Teaching
Foster a positive, inclusive classroom culture where students feel safe, seen, and supported
Partner with families as co-educators, honoring their expertise and cultural knowledge
Collaborate with fellow teachers and school leaders to refine your practice and drive student success
Engage in ongoing professional learning to deepen your instructional effectiveness
Teach middle school students, guiding them through engaging social studies instruction that builds historical understanding, civic awareness, and critical thinking skills.
Lead a first-grade classroom where students build foundational literacy, math, and social-emotional skills in a supportive and engaging learning environment.
Support fourth and fifth grade students in developing strong reading, writing, and social studies skills while fostering curiosity, discussion, and critical thinking.
Lead engaging math instruction for middle school students in North Lawndale, helping learners build confidence and mastery in core mathematical concepts.
Lead engaging math instruction for middle school students in North Lawndale, helping learners build confidence and mastery in core mathematical concepts.
Support diverse learners across grades K–8 by providing inclusive, individualized instruction that empowers students with diverse learning needs to succeed academically and socially.
Create a joyful kindergarten classroom where young learners build foundational academic skills, curiosity, and confidence through play-based and developmentally appropriate learning.
Support lead teachers in creating a nurturing Pre-K classroom where young children develop early learning, social-emotional, and language skills through play-based activities.
Support young learners with diverse needs in a Pre-K classroom by delivering individualized, inclusive instruction that fosters early development, social-emotional growth, and school readiness in a nurturing environment.
Work alongside lead educators to support infants and toddlers in a safe, nurturing environment focused on early development, exploration, and strong caregiver relationships.
Lead an early childhood classroom where young children engage in developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive learning experiences that support curiosity, growth, and school readiness.
