STEM Support Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 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 STEM School Support Specialist provides support and guidance on STE(A)M integration, curriculum, instruction, assessment and intervention for all students in grades K-12 in our STEM and STEAM schools. and is accountable for driving student outcomes.

Under the direction of the STEM Schools Program Manager, the STEM Support Specialist will collaborate with the school-based STE(A)M Integration Specialists in addition to supporting STE(A)M schools' learning. This position will provide project support and work collaboratively to drive student outcomes by ensuring articulation in STE(A)M teaching and learning from elementary through high school.

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

• Contribute to the district-wide vision for STE(A)M learning in our STE(A)M schools
• Support and inform the development of resources, including curriculum and assessments aligned to the CPS STE(A)M Standards for Success that will result in student growth and school-wide improvement on the CPS STEM Certification ratings.
• Support school-based STE(A)M Integration Specialist and teacher practice via professional learning, curriculum supports, programmatic supports, and partnerships with the goal of improving student outcomes
• Design and facilitate professional learning for teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators based on school needs
• Create tools and resources that demonstrate instructional best practices in STE(A)M learning
• Research, evaluate, and prepare recommendations on instructional materials, effective pedagogy, technology use, and other relevant policy guidance for all STE(A)M school students
• Support school teams in implementing STE(A)M strategies from their Continuous Improvement Work Plans (CIWPs) to drive student growth and achievement
• Provide individualized instructional support in a portfolio of schools through efforts including:
  • Working directly with school-based STE(A)M Integration Specialists to model and support the use of effective, research-based instructional practices that are guided by data/evidence
  • Collaborating with teams (Departments, ILTs, etc.) to drive data-informed instructional planning and be accountable for targeted outcomes
  • Collaborating with school-based leadership teams to meet school, network, and district goals
• Develop, coordinate, and maintain relationships with external partners associated with STEM teaching and learning
• 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 STEM and the strategic plan of the Chief of Schools
• Clearly communicate the agreed upon strategies and norms for supporting networks and schools
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with vital external partner organizations to enhance learning opportunities for instructional leaders and teachers.

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

Type of Education Required :

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required
• Valid standard teaching certificate (Type 03, Type 09, Type 10) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education with appropriate grade level and content level endorsement is required.
• Master's degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, education, or a related field preferred.

Type of Experience and Number of Years :

• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience, including teacher leadership experience, is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years working with adult learners, including, designing, organizing, facilitating and evaluating professional learning experiences for instructional leaders and teachers, required.
• Experience designing and building curriculum, developing assessments and analyzing student performance data, preferred
• Experience managing a portfolio of projects simultaneously while meeting associated deadlines
• Experience with curriculum mapping, unit planning, and formative progress monitoring

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Expertise in the CCSS for math, NGSS for science, ISTE standards for technology
• Expertise in research-based STEM instructional practices and pedagogy
• Ability to define problems, analyze data and develop action plans as part of a continuous improvement cycle
• Strong leadership skills
• Committed to continuous improvement and high standards of performance
• Understanding of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and a strong knowledge of critical issues in education and research-based school improvement models
• Proven track record of success and a clear focus on results
• Excellent facilitation, written, and oral communication skills
• Excellent technology skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Google Docs, etc.)
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders

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.