Applicant Pool | Part-Time Independent Contractor | In-Person
Applicant Pool Notice
Discover Music Discover Life, Inc. (DMDL) is accepting applications to establish a pool of qualified candidates for current and future Academic Coach independent contractor assignments.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis as program needs arise. Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview, independent contractor agreement, or assignment.
Qualified candidates may be considered for available assignments based on program needs, school location, student needs, scheduling, candidate qualifications and availability, Title I funding, and other applicable program requirements.
Applicant information may remain active for up to one year from the date of application unless the posting is closed, the applicant withdraws from consideration, or DMDL requests updated application materials.
Assignments may vary by school, student population, grade level, schedule, duration, and identified need. Assignments are part-time, in-person, and contingent upon school participation, program needs, and continued Title I funding.
Qualified professionals who are committed to mentoring students and supporting academic success are encouraged to apply, even when an immediate assignment is not available.
About DMDL
Discover Music Discover Life, Inc. provides ESSA Title I supplementary educational services to eligible students attending participating nonpublic schools located within Chicago Public Schools District 299 boundaries.
DMDL services include supplemental instruction, tutoring, academic coaching, mentoring, and fine arts programming designed to support student achievement, confidence, engagement, and personal growth.
About the Role
Academic Coaches provide in-person academic, organizational, and motivational support to individual students and small groups.
The Academic Coach serves as a positive role model and mentor who helps students strengthen academic habits, executive functioning skills, confidence, engagement, and personal responsibility.
Academic coaching may address reading, mathematics, organization, time management, goal setting, study strategies, assignment completion, and school engagement. Academic Coaches support students in developing strategies for success but do not replace the role of the classroom teacher or Academic Instructor.
Academic Coaches collaborate with appropriate school personnel, families, and DMDL staff to ensure that coaching services reflect identified student needs and program requirements.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide in-person academic coaching to individual students and small groups.
- Help students develop strategies for reading, mathematics, studying, organization, planning, and assignment completion.
- Support the development of executive functioning skills, including time management, task initiation, prioritization, self-monitoring, and goal setting.
- Serve as a positive role model and establish supportive, professional relationships with students.
- Help students identify their strengths, challenges, goals, interests, and effective approaches to learning.
- Create and update individualized Student Service Plans based on identified student needs.
- Prepare appropriate coaching activities, resources, and student supports.
- Monitor student participation, engagement, and progress.
- Maintain accurate weekly service documentation and student progress notes.
- Communicate appropriate feedback and resources to teachers, families, school personnel, and DMDL staff.
- Collaborate professionally with school administrators, classroom teachers, families, and DMDL personnel.
- Participate in required orientation, meetings, training, and professional development.
- Follow applicable DMDL, school, Title I, confidentiality, documentation, and student-safety requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Education, Psychology, Youth Development, or a related field required.
- Experience working with children or adolescents in an academic, mentoring, counseling, coaching, or youth-development setting preferred.
- Classroom, tutoring, case-management, or student-support experience preferred.
- State certification or professional licensure is preferred but not required.
- Knowledge of executive functioning, student motivation, academic support strategies, and positive youth-development practices.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, documentation, time-management, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound professional judgment, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, administrators, and DMDL personnel.
- Ability to provide reliable, in-person services at an assigned school location.
Personal Characteristics and Attributes
The successful candidate will:
- Be creative and compassionate toward children and adolescents.
- Demonstrate a firm belief that all students can learn and succeed.
- Be positive, patient, encouraging, and respectful.
- Be able to establish rapport while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
- Have the ability to motivate students and foster confidence and engagement.
- Be dependable, professional, organized, and detail-oriented.
- Demonstrate strong judgment, reliability, and follow-through.
Position Details
- Position: Academic Coach
- Engagement Type: Independent Contractor
- Schedule: Part-time; varies according to the agreed assignment, school schedule, program needs, and contractor availability
- Service Delivery: In person
- Work Location: Assigned participating nonpublic school or schools located within Chicago Public Schools District 299 boundaries
Academic Coaches provide services at their assigned school locations and do not ordinarily report to the DMDL administrative office.
Contractors are responsible for providing reliable transportation to assigned service locations and maintaining professional practices consistent with their independent contractor agreement and applicable DMDL program requirements.
All services are part-time and in person.
Pay: From $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Do you currently hold a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)?
Work Location: In person
