Planning Substitute

Position Type:

Support Staff

Date Posted:

6/26/2025

Location:

Washington Irving School

Date Available:

SY 25-26

Planning Substitute

Revised: June 2025

Perm/contract:

2025/2026

Department:

Core Instruction

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Reports to:

Building Principal

Primary Reporting Location:

Irving Elementary School

Level:

Elementary: Grades K-5

Compensation:

In accordance with the Oak Park Teaching Assistant Association

Date Available:

SY25-26

Bargaining Unit & Classification:

OPTAA & Classified

Supervisory Responsibilities:

N/A

Benefits:

Insurance - medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance are available

Leaves - paid sick, and personal, days provided

Retirement - pre-tax retirement plans (e.g. 403b/457) available

D97 Ideal Team Member Profile

The ideal team member in District 97 is a visionary and equity-centered leader who inspires excellence and fosters collective responsibility for student success. This individual:

Champions the district's vision and drives forward-thinking, innovative practices that anticipate future educational needs.

Stewards public trust and resources with fiscal responsibility and ethical transparency.

Demonstrates relentless commitment to student success, ensuring that every decision supports equitable opportunities and outcomes for all learners.

Organizes and empowers teams to work collaboratively toward shared goals, recognizing the interdependence of roles across departments and schools.

Fosters a culture of care, learning, and service, grounded in authentic engagement with students, families, staff, and community members.

Models integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality, serving as a role model for ethical and respectful conduct at all levels.

Thrives in a culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse environment, showing a deep passion for inclusive practices and building belonging for all team members.

Seeks and embraces feedback, especially when it challenges them to grow and improve in service of students and colleagues.

Understands the powerful intersection of leadership, learning, and equity, and aligns their work to dismantle systemic barriers.

Courageously addresses unprofessional behavior, holding self and others accountable to high standards in service to the community and students.

About the Role:

The Planning Substitute role is designed to provide planning time coverage for our Special Education teachers in instructional or RISE classrooms by delivering instruction and maintaining a structured, supportive learning environment for students receiving special education services. The Planning Substitute supports student learning by ensuring continuity of instruction and care for students with disabilities.

The Planning Sub position will ensure that equity is at the center of their interactions with students to positively impact learning and employee practices as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Provide direct instruction to students in RISE (Reaching Independence through Support and Education) or special education instructional classrooms during teacher planning periods.

Implement lesson plans and individualized education program (IEP) goals provided by the classroom teacher.

Adapt instructional materials and methods as needed to meet students’ individual needs.

Collaborate with classroom staff and teaching assistants to maintain a positive, safe, and productive learning environment.

Follow behavior support plans and utilize appropriate de-escalation techniques as necessary.

Accurately document student progress and communicate observations to classroom teachers.

Maintain confidentiality and uphold professional and ethical standards.

Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to work collaboratively with others.

Ability to work and communicate with students in an appropriate professional manner.

Awareness, interest and ability to work with a group of students with varied skill levels.

Ability to work effectively with staff, parents and students.

Candidate Qualifications:

Applicable Professional Educator License or Substitute License required.

Professional Educator License strongly preferred.

Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Previous experience, preferred.

Primary teaching experience, preferred.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the performance of light work—which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking, climbing stairs and standing, occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling, and significant fine finger dexterity. The job is performed in non-hazardous environments and a clean atmosphere. The position requires indoor and outdoor supervision during varying temperatures and climatic conditions.

Apply through Frontline:

Applications are currently being accepted for this exciting leadership position via our district website. Please reach out to our human resources department at, if you have questions about the application process.

We encourage interested applicants to apply, as we continue to uplift our equity policy. Our goal is to recruit, employ, support, and retain racially and linguistically diverse and culturally competent administrative, instructional and support personnel. Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.