Great Lakes Academy
Great Lakes Academy Culture Specialist
About Great Lakes Academy
Great Lakes Academy (GLA) is a high-performing, single-site charter school located in South Chicago. Our mission is to prepare all of our students with the fundamental academic skills, critical thinking ability, and strength of character to excel in high school, college, and a career of their choice. We empower all of our students with the education today that they will need to change the world tomorrow. Our staff work hard to close opportunity gaps for our scholars, and the data speaks for itself: In 2024, on the rigorous Illinois Assessment of Readiness, GLA had the highest percentage of students reaching proficiency in ELA and Math of all elementary schools in Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore, and South Chicago. Additionally, GLA scored in the top 20% of schools in the state in ELA growth and top 6% of schools in math growth. We are proud of our growth and achievement, but we have our sights set even higher for the 2025-26 school year, and we need your help to reach our goals. We are seeking a high-capacity, reliable, driven, and reflective
Culture Specialist
. Job Overview
Reporting directly to the Dean of Culture & Climate, the
Culture Specialist
works closely with GLA's Culture Team, School Social Workers, and teachers in maintaining a positive, warm, structured, and safe school culture. The Behavior Specialist provides individual support to students in need of support and growth for their self-regulation so they can thrive at school.
Job Responsibilities Maintains systems and structures for a positive, core value-driven culture that build student confidence and self determination Works with the administrative team to implement and maintain every detail of the school's student systems and procedures, including PBIS, discipline, transitions, homework, community celebrations, breakfast, lunch, and classroom culture so that GLA is structured and highly joyful with a focus on growth and character development. Implements behavior supports and interventions for students Maintain systems for tracking school culture and monitors, analyzes and defines action plans based on this data. Supports and conducts regular school culture audits Handles in-school disciplinary action and coordinates any additional consequences with the leadership team. Primary communication to families regarding discipline challenges during school Supports execution of calm, joyful breakfast, lunch, entry and dismissal Supports management and culture support for teachers Supports school-wide culture initiatives for students and staff Ensures all student behavioral data is up to date and analyzed weekly. Supports behavior plan creation and execution and data tracking for tier 2 and 3 students Competencies Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy's mission and playbook is non-negotiable Growth-oriented: Self-reflective, eager to accept and implement feedback Responsibility: Willingness to work hard, be flexible, and overcome obstacles in the pursuit of goals Kindness: Strong relationship builder with students, families, and other staff members Calm, authoritative presence that can quickly and positively redirect students back on task Able to drive cultural consistency, emotional consistency, and system and procedural consistency Highly organized and efficient, self-motivated Job Requirements Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy's core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable. Eligibility to work in the United States on a full-time basis Paraprofessional or Sustitute Teaching License preferred, but not required. 1+ year of experience teaching or leading behavior intervention in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required.
As an equal opportunity employer, Great Lakes Academy hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law.
Great Lakes Academy (GLA) is a high-performing, single-site charter school located in South Chicago. Our mission is to prepare all of our students with the fundamental academic skills, critical thinking ability, and strength of character to excel in high school, college, and a career of their choice. We empower all of our students with the education today that they will need to change the world tomorrow. Our staff work hard to close opportunity gaps for our scholars, and the data speaks for itself: In 2024, on the rigorous Illinois Assessment of Readiness, GLA had the highest percentage of students reaching proficiency in ELA and Math of all elementary schools in Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore, and South Chicago. Additionally, GLA scored in the top 20% of schools in the state in ELA growth and top 6% of schools in math growth. We are proud of our growth and achievement, but we have our sights set even higher for the 2025-26 school year, and we need your help to reach our goals. We are seeking a high-capacity, reliable, driven, and reflective
Culture Specialist
. Job Overview
Reporting directly to the Dean of Culture & Climate, the
Culture Specialist
works closely with GLA's Culture Team, School Social Workers, and teachers in maintaining a positive, warm, structured, and safe school culture. The Behavior Specialist provides individual support to students in need of support and growth for their self-regulation so they can thrive at school.
Job Responsibilities Maintains systems and structures for a positive, core value-driven culture that build student confidence and self determination Works with the administrative team to implement and maintain every detail of the school's student systems and procedures, including PBIS, discipline, transitions, homework, community celebrations, breakfast, lunch, and classroom culture so that GLA is structured and highly joyful with a focus on growth and character development. Implements behavior supports and interventions for students Maintain systems for tracking school culture and monitors, analyzes and defines action plans based on this data. Supports and conducts regular school culture audits Handles in-school disciplinary action and coordinates any additional consequences with the leadership team. Primary communication to families regarding discipline challenges during school Supports execution of calm, joyful breakfast, lunch, entry and dismissal Supports management and culture support for teachers Supports school-wide culture initiatives for students and staff Ensures all student behavioral data is up to date and analyzed weekly. Supports behavior plan creation and execution and data tracking for tier 2 and 3 students Competencies Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy's mission and playbook is non-negotiable Growth-oriented: Self-reflective, eager to accept and implement feedback Responsibility: Willingness to work hard, be flexible, and overcome obstacles in the pursuit of goals Kindness: Strong relationship builder with students, families, and other staff members Calm, authoritative presence that can quickly and positively redirect students back on task Able to drive cultural consistency, emotional consistency, and system and procedural consistency Highly organized and efficient, self-motivated Job Requirements Belief in and alignment with Great Lakes Academy's core beliefs and educational philosophy is non-negotiable. Eligibility to work in the United States on a full-time basis Paraprofessional or Sustitute Teaching License preferred, but not required. 1+ year of experience teaching or leading behavior intervention in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required.
As an equal opportunity employer, Great Lakes Academy hires without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other category protected by applicable law.