What are the responsibilities and job description for the Boys Basketball Varsity Coach position at Oak Park Elementary School District 97?
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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.
- Encourages participation among students
- Promotes positive character and citizenship in student-athletes.
- Develops and implements clear standards and expectations in alignment with our D97 Family Handbook.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately with all students, parents, and stakeholders.
- Plans team events and activities in conjunction with school administrators.
- Promotes their sport in the school community.
- Provides appropriate supervision before, during, and after all team activities.
- Maintains current safety certifications. ie; concussion certification.
- Compiles and maintains an accurate inventory and collection of equipment and uniforms.
- Commands respect by demonstrating appropriate conduct and behavior at all times.
- Interacts appropriately with the head coach and/or assistant coaches.
- Ensures all necessary paperwork and forms are accurate and complete prior to deadlines.
- Knowledge of the sport's rules, regulations, skills, and strategies.
- Knowledge of effective coaching techniques and instructional methods for student-athletes.
- Knowledge of safety expectations and procedures to effectively inform parents/guardians.
- Skilled in providing effective instruction and guidance to student-athletes.
- Skilled in assessing the progress of student-athletes and teams.
- Skilled in analyzing performance results and making appropriate adjustments.
- Skilled in maintaining and recording individual and team statistics.
- Ability to provide appropriate guidance and support to student-athletes during the try-out process.
- Ability to communicate effectively with parents/guardians regarding safety expectations.
- Ability to make appropriate accommodations to improve individual and team achievement.
- Ability to provide frequent and timely feedback on team and individual performance.
- IESA coaching education completed, preferred
- Past experience coaching middle school students, ideally in the sport related to this application.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the sport including skills and strategies.
- Maintains current safety certifications (ie; concussion certification)
JobID: 3175
Position Type:
Athletics/Activities/Coaching
Athletics/Activities/Coaching
Date Posted:
6/2/2026
6/2/2026
Location:
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Date Available:
SY26-27
SY26-27
Boys Basketball Varsity Coach
Revised: August 2025
Perm/contract:
2026-2027 Season
Department:
Co-Curriculars and Athletics
FSLA Status:
Non-Exempt
Reports to:
Building Administration &
Chief Learning Innovation Officer
Primary Reporting Location:
Brooks Middle School
Level:
6-8 grades
Compensation:
Stipend - See the OPTA contract
Half stipend due to second half of season
Date Available:
SY-26-27
Bargaining Unit & Classification:
OPTA
Supervisory Responsibilities:
N/A
Benefits:
N/A
D97 Ideal Team Member Profile
About This Role
District 97 seeks a dedicated and dynamic individual to coach for basketball The ideal candidate will have a passion for working with middle school students, have past experience coaching students in the sport, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the skills and strategies to develop students in the sport and have the ability to create an inclusive and supportive team environment for students from diverse backgrounds. The ideal candidate will work in support of the district's equity commitments as expressed in Board Policy 7:12: Ensuring Racial and Educational Equity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Coaches are committed to their student-athletes and their team.
Coaches effectively manage their program and build positive relationships with all stakeholders.
Coaches are committed to continuous improvement and professional development.
Coaches exhibit a high degree of professionalism.
Content Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Skilled in:
Ability to:
Candidate Qualifications:
Physical Requirements:
This position requires the performance of light workwhich requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. The position includes close visual acuity, frequent talking, hearing, walking 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 position via our district website. Please reach out to our human resources department at district97hr@op97.org, 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.