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K-5 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOCIAL SCIENCE SPECIALIST

Employer
Chicago Public Schools - CPS
Location
Chicago, IL, US
Salary
Competitive

Job Details

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 350,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set 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. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Elementary Social Science Specialist provides district-wide support and guidance on social science curriculum, instruction, assessment and intervention for all students in grades PreK-5. Candidates should have experience in teaching; designing and building curriculum; developing assessments and analyzing student performance data; creating, organizing, and leading professional learning experiences for instructional leaders and teachers and is accountable for driving student outcomes. The specialist must be able to develop and maintain relationships with vital external partner organizations to enhance learning opportunities for instructional leaders and teachers.

The K-5 ES Social Science Specialist will be expected to collaborate with the 6-8 ES Specialist, HS Social Science Specialists, and the Civic Engagement team to support various projects and ensure articulation in high quality, culturally relevant, inquiry based social science teaching and learning from elementary through high school.

Key Responsibilities:

Advance the district-wide Social Science Vision for K-8 elementary schools through:

  • Developing, supporting and informing the development of curriculum and assessments, that are aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science and the Common Core State Standards

  • Strengthening teacher practice via professional learning, curriculum supports, programmatic supports, and partnerships with the goal of improving student outcomes

  • Designing and facilitating professional learning for elementary school teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators based on network needs and recommendations from district leaders

  • Developing tools and resources that demonstrate instructional best practices around the inquiry arc and social science disciplinary concepts with an anti-racist, culturally responsive lens

  • Fostering teacher-leadership throughout the district by creating a K-5 social science network, facilitating professional learning communities, and developing pathways for teachers to lead, coach, and present

  • Collect, review and utilize internal and external data to monitor, measure, and inform our strategic goals, vision and overall effectiveness.

  • Research, evaluate, and prepare recommendations on instructional materials, effective pedagogy, technology use, and other relevant policy guidance for all ES social science students

  • Support school teams in implementing strategies from their Continuous Improvement Work Plans (CIWPs) to drive student growth and achievement

  • Develop, coordinate, and maintain relationships with external partners associated with social science teaching and learning and ensure completion of communication dashboard/portal

  • Collaborate within the Office of Teaching and Learning and across Central and Network Offices and schools to ensure alignment and coherence of district priorities

  • Perform related duties as required to support the priorities of the Department of Social Science & Civic Engagement and the strategic plan of the Chief of Schools



In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the K-5 ES Social Science Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required :

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study required.

  • Master's degree or National Board Certification is preferred.



Type of Experience and Number of Years :

  • 5+ years' experience teaching social science in a K-5 classroom

  • 5+ years experience working in social justice education and culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy preferred

  • A minimum of 2 years working with adult learners, including, designing, facilitating and evaluating professional learning needs of teachers

  • Experience leading teams, including planning and executing professional development preferred

  • Evidenced success in collaborating with culturally and educationally-diverse teams.

  • Rich experience attending professional learning workshops, conferences, professional learning



Certification:

  • Valid Standards teaching certificate (Type 03, Type 09, Type 10) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education with appropriate grade level and content level endorsement.



Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

  • Is passionate about social science instruction and has expertise in the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science, research-based social science instructional practices and pedagogy

  • Deep knowledge of culturally relevant and sustaining, anti-racist education and is dedicated to the development of high quality opportunities in this field for K-5 CPS teachers and students.

  • Experience with curriculum mapping, unit planning, using the Understanding By Design framework

  • Knowledge of NWEA and Continuous Improvement Work Plans (CIWPs)

  • Experience in data collection, data-driven decision-making, and using scholarly research to inform programming and strategic decision-making.

  • Organized, flexible and able to work in fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks as well as adapt to priorities that change quickly

  • Demonstrates a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives.

  • Is a strong communicator; speaking, listening, and writing.

  • Proficient technology skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Google Docs, etc.)

  • Is invested in and committed to being part of a team.



Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.

Company

Chicago Public Schools is truly a district on the rise. The last five years have been an unprecedented success for CPS, and during that time, our district has emerged as a beacon of what is achievable for large urban school districts across the country. Our mission is to provide a high-quality public education for every child, in every neighborhood, that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.

Company info
Telephone
773-553-1000
Location
42 W Madison St
Chicago
IL
60602
US

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