Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments – high-quality, rigorous instruction, talented and empowered educators, safety and support, financial stability and collective impact. Recently, CPS announced a record-high graduation rate of 77.5% and boasts some of the fastest learning growth in the nation among large cities.
A Lead Coach position is now available at a subset of CPS schools. While the detailed responsibilities of a Lead Coach will vary from school to school, these are teacher roles with 80%-100% release time to provide coaching and support to teachers within that school community in support of the local instructional areas of need.
The primary objective of the Lead Coach role is to build the capacity of peers to improve practice and improve student outcomes. Lead Coaches serve as critical members of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) meeting regularly with the principal to discuss progress, strategize next steps, align support, and grow as a leader. As an instructional leader, the Lead Coach shares responsibility for the learning and development of all students taught by teachers on her/his team.
Responsibilities:
Lead an assigned portfolio of teachers to build their skills in pursuit of goals for improved practice and improved student outcomes.
Facilitate regular meetings and conduct classroom observations for portfolio teachers
Meet weekly with the principal and/or AP to keep them updated on work with teachers and students.
Participate in bi-weekly professional development sessions led by the CPS Office of Teaching and Learning
Model or co-teach lessons to aid teacher development, provide small group instruction as needed to help students progress
Solicit feedback from supervisor and team members to improve professional skills
Support/Design instructional process elements (lesson planning, large-group instruction, small-group instruction, individual interventions, data analysis, grading, etc.) among team of teachers based on teacher strengths, content knowledge, and professional development goal
Performing other related duties as assigned
Qualifications
Deep knowledge of pedagogical best practices
Exceptional organizational skills
Motivates others to improve practice and impact student learning
Skilled in objectively understanding and interpreting others’ concerns, motives, feelings, and behaviors
Actively builds and sustains positive, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
Experience leading adults preferred
Experience mentoring or coaching educators preferred
Advanced certification and endorsements preferred
Commitment to CPS Instructional Core Vision
Education and Professional Experience:
Valid Illinois Teaching License
4 years of service or commensurate experience
If CPS Candidate: Most recent REACH Professional Practice rating of 3.4 or above or most recent REACH Summative score as Proficient
Expertise in the school community's stated areas of instructional need
Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:
Establish or Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.
Be Fully Vaccinated or Submit to Weekly COVID-19 Testing - Employees are required to be fully vaccinated within 30 days of their hire date. Full vaccination is defined as at least two weeks after your second shot of a two-shot vaccination course, or at least two weeks after a one-shot vaccination course. Unvaccinated staff must submit to weekly testing.
Chicago Public Schools is looking for teachers, leaders, and non-instructional staff to transform the face of urban education. We are a team of passionate, committed, and talented professionals who believe that every CPS student will graduate prepared for success in college, career, and life. Come join us in making CPS a model for public school districts throughout the nation. CPS is the third largest school district in the United States with more than 600 schools providing education to over 340,000 children.
