Instructional Support Specialist, High School Computer Science (Build Connections Grant)

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third-largest school district in the United States, serving over 340,000 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.

Build Connections (BC) is a National Science Foundation-supported research initiative co-led by the Office of Computer Science and the Chicago Alliance for Equity in Computer Science (CAFÉCS) that is focused on improving outcomes for Latinx students and English Language Learners in Exploring Computer Science (ECS) and AP CS Principles (CSP), the foundational computer science courses taken by tens of thousands of CPS students each year. At the heart of ECS is the goal of building connections between course material and students' personal experiences, which is particularly important for the success of Latinx students. In order to best support students in making those connections and developing culturally sustaining pedagogies in their CS classrooms, we've partnered with a program called "Build Connections", which is designed to help students draw explicit links between course content and their own lives. Research on Build Connections shows that it helps students succeed in subject areas like science and math, and we're excited to be the first national pilot for CS.

The Office of Computer Science (OCS) within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS) supports over 200 high school educators tasked with implementing Computer Science (CS) content and meeting the ambitious goals set by the department and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Most of these educators come from other core subject areas and require various levels of support to implement CS curricula with fidelity for all learners, including diverse-learners and non-traditional students. Under the direction of the Manager of Instructional Supports, the High School Computer Science Instructional Support Specialist will serve as an instructional expert, providing leadership in Computer Science. This position will work closely with the Curriculum Team to implement the Build Connections program into CS curriculum, expand the adoption of CS, and support educators with instruction, professional development, coaching, and other resources in alignment with Build Connections and CPS priorities. This position is supported by a grant and is for a term of one year, subject to renewal pending funding.

The Instructional Support Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Review, iterate, and implement Coaching Manual on yearly basis.
• Work with teachers, administrators and other CS staff to identify CS coaching candidates with CS high school team; select at least 15 candidates to receive coaching support guided by Build Connections.
• Support Diverse Learners in gaining access and achievement in the CS coursework by providing research-based support through Build Connections implementation
• Articulate curriculum and instructional objectives by providing individualized support, such as observation and reflection, to teachers who are implementing CS curriculum.
• Use formal and informal data to identify and provide feedback and support teachers.
• Establish and maintain strong positive relationships with participating teachers, members of school, Network, and District Staff.
• Provide support around Build Connections implementation.
• Collect, organize and report data relevant to the Build Connections program.
• Design and manage an online coaching community to promote effective, streamlined, and continued communication between coaches and educators.
• In consultation with the Build Connections team, support Build Connections Professional Development (PD).
• Monitor training records, including schedules, attendance, and completion information along with measures of success;
• Coordinate activities within District, network and school priorities and in line with allocated resources;
• Schedule PDs, facilitate execution and maintain accurate records of educator participation.
• Assist in the identification, selection, and training of Facilitators in Development to assume ongoing facilitation responsibilities for specific CS content.
• Assist with implementation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
• Assist with mapping of CS content to department approved standards.
• Assist in analysis of course descriptions and correlation to Build Connections standards.
• Assist with establishing a rubric to evaluate new course applications.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Instructional Support Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university required
• Master's Degree preferred.

Type of Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of K-12 classroom teaching experience required.
• Three or more years of experience working with adult learners, including coaching or creation & facilitation of K-12 professional development strongly preferred.
• Experience teaching diverse learners and non-traditional students preferred.
• Experience with inquiry-, design-, and challenge-based teaching and learning preferred.
• Experience observing classroom teaching using a teaching rubric or framework, and using data to provide tailored coaching and drive positive student outcomes preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of the urban school system environment
• Capable of challenging biases; committed to improving student achievement and promoting the belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Broad knowledge of instructional strategies, as well as how and when to apply them
• Understanding of adult learning theories, and ability to apply them to designing and delivering professional development.
• Willing and able to have difficult conversations, build consensus and resolve conflicts
• Strong leadership skills; able to foster collaboration & inquiry, elicit innovative ideas, and recognize and leverage the talents and experiences of each individual.
• Excellent verbal and written communicator with strong listening skills, able to interpret the perceptions and motivations of others
• Motivated self-starter with a can-do attitude that promotes kindness, respect, and courtesy.
• A continuous learner who is aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and continually seeks opportunities for growth
• Strives to remain data-informed, mission-driven.
• Able to travel to various schools in the CPS district on a daily basis, including occasional weekend availability.

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.