© 2023 Big Shoulders Fund. All rights reserved.
Big Shoulders Fund is an independent charitable organization that serves high-need schools which provide a quality, values-based education for children in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, thereby contributing to stronger communities. One hundred percent of funds currently raised support four major areas – scholarships and enrichment, operational improvements, academic programs, and leadership development – with the goal of not just strengthening schools, but whole communities, and preparing students for life-long success.
ABOUT BIG SHOULDERS FUND
Our schools are staffed by principals and teachers who embrace and carry out our shared missions of providing a quality, valuesbased education for Chicago and Northwest Indiana's children.
Mission-Driven
Our teachers are mentored not only by experienced teachers and leaders in their schools, but through specialized Big Shoulders programs as well.
Mentorship
Customized Coaching
When you teach in a Big Shoulders Fund network school, you get so much more than just a salary. You get the opportunity to work with like-minded colleagues who care deeply about the school community and whole-heartedly support the mission. You get to know the parents and local neighborhood businesses and organizations, and work together in support of education for children. You get professional and leadership development sessions, as well as tuition assistance and mentorship opportunities. And you get to work with the best students around!
Check out this video of our Data Driven Instruction Initiative which provides support to principals and teachers to harness the power of data to improve outcomes for students.
A Community of Educators
Community
The Big Shoulders network includes 92 values-based, high-need schools in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana regions.
Our schools have strong missions and values, and long histories of delivering educational excellence to historically under-resourced communities.
Big Shoulders provides professional and leadership development opportunities for teachers in our schools as well as tuition assistance and mentorship opportunities.
Excellence
Leadership
Big Shoulders Fund teachers are driven by a deep mission to serve Chicago and Northwest Indiana's students in the greatest need, striving to make a difference in children’s lives every day.
Interested in teaching at a
Big Shoulders Fund school?
Big Shoulders Fund has talented education coaches who have experience as teacher and school leaders. These coaches work with our principals and teachers who desire to improve their professional skills.
Why a Big Shoulders Fund school?
Professional Development
Big Shoulders provides professional development opportunities for teachers in our schools to help ensure that our faculty are educated in the latest trends in curriculum delivery, classroom management, pedagogical developments, and more.
Accelerated Leadership Track
Teachers in our schools who want to develop leadership skills or become principals have the opportunity to do so at a more rapid pace.
Although principals at our network schools are responsible for hiring their own teachers, Big Shoulders Fund assists by creating a pool of highly qualified teacher candidates.
We are always seeking excellent teachers who have a heart for service, and are interested in working in communities that are historically under-resourced. Typically, the hiring process runs from early April through August.
If you’re interested in teaching in a Big Shoulders Fund network school, please complete our information form.
Testimonials
"In my years at St. Ann, Big Shoulders Fund has been essential in helping develop my pedagogical skills through professional development. I have been able to build a community of educators who I can rely on for support. Big Shoulders Fund also supports my students by providing programs such as the Brush Creek Ranch Enrichment Program, Stock Market Program, and Entrepreneurship Competition. These programs have allowed my students to take content from the classroom and bring it to life in real-world scenarios."
Kathleen Fox
St. Ann School
"Big Shoulders Fund, helps to make all schools vibrant and impactful in the communities in which they serve. So, we get to do that! How incredible is that?"
Mariagnes Menden, Ed.D.
St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Questions?
Contact Caitlin Lee at clee@bigshouldersfund.org.