STEM Technology Specialist

Description

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student in every neighborhood is engaged in a rigorous, well-rounded instructional program and graduates prepared for success in college, career and life. CPS offers an environment that allows growth, encourages innovation, supports teamwork and fosters the belief that all students, given a positive experience, can learn.

STEM schools serve as an additional school model to offer a pathway for students to be better prepared for college, career and life. Progressively, more jobs across various fields and levels will require some knowledge of STEM. A STEM-literate workforce will attract investment and jobs to Illinois, while good jobs and economic opportunity will attract world-class talent to the city of Chicago. The goal of the STEM strategy is to triple the number of students prepared for jobs in STEM fields by 2020.

Technology is integral in today's society. It is important that students develop skills and understanding around different kinds of technology, understand how to use technology to enhance their learning and know how technology can help them be more productive in doing a task. The STEM Technology Specialist will be expected to enrich and support teaching and learning while strengthening the technology skills of students, teachers and staff and assist classroom teachers in the incorporation of technological hardware and software into the lesson plan.

The faculty within the STEM Initiative Schools will be expected to be members of multiple school-based Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) that will focus on sharing practices, analyzing data, targeting interventions and creating a culture of collaboration to ensure professional growth and student learning.

The STEM Technology Specialist will be housed in a STEM Initiative Elementary School, and act as a member of the school's team. This is a 39.6 week teacher position, which will report to and be evaluated by the School principal and the Office of Teaching and Learning.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities of the STEM Technology Specialist

School-wide PD and Coaching Support

• Intensive collaboration with the Math/Science Specialist to provide input on alignment of resources and activities to support STEM implementation plan

• Plan, design, and lead differentiated PD sessions to build capacity of teachers, students, and the school overall

• Conduct non-evaluative targeted coaching cycles with teachers with a focus on feedback aligned to the CPS Framework for teaching

• Collaborate with teachers and leadership to develop and/or improve tech integration and knowledge of digital literacy

• Participate in monthly STEM Specialist PLC - focus on building capacity as instructional leaders, sharing practices, analyzing data, prioritizing interventions, and creating a culture of collaboration

Technology Integration Lead & Innovation Lab Facilitator

• Integrate the use of different technologies, as articulated by the NET standards, into students' everyday experiences. Demonstrate the ability to use multiple kinds of technologies (Smart Board, digital cameras, ipads), software and other technologies in daily teaching. Work with teachers to understand core content and the conceptual challenges students encounter with math and science

• Model and co-teach to deepen the implementation of core concepts and mathematical or scientific "ways of thinking"

• Support classroom teachers in infusing STEM related experiences into lessons

• Collaborate with Math/Science Specialists to determine appropriate technology tools, software, apps, etc...to enhance student learning and integration of technology

• Teach 8-12 periods per week in the STEM Innovation Lab (Creative Learning System)

Enrichment & Community Engagement

• Provide engaging, enriching STEM related enrichment to increase interest, experience, and develop STEM habits of mind (e.g. Science or Anime clubs)

• Support school partnerships and activities with families and community members that enhance academic achievement across the curriculum

• Promote STEM awareness and engagement through targeted partnerships and activities (STEM Exploration Family Nights, Future Cities Competition)

• Collaborate with Math/Science Specialist to capture STEM video portfolio

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience . Minimum of three to five years teaching experience with knowledge and experience in curriculum mapping and integration of educational technology. Experience working with adult learners and knowledge of various coaching models is a plus.

License Requirements: Specialists must possess at least one of the following valid teaching license issued by the Illinois State Board of Education: Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) plus ISBE-issued endorsements as appropriate to the position (Technology, preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Have clear goals and strategies for integrating technology into instruction; Familiarity with methods for integrating technology into the curriculum such as Vernier probes, online resources, digital portfolios and other forms of assessment

• Ability to coach, mentor, and teach adults to support their use of technology in delivery of curricula through a variety of instructional methods (hardware, software and Internet resources in support of student learning).

• Willingness to participate in PLC's and plan with colleagues around new and innovative approaches for implementing instructional activities

• Willingness to collaborate with area universities and organizations on instructionally linked student activities and projects

• Demonstrated ability and/or willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse school community to promote STEM awareness and engagement through targeted partnerships and activities

• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills which include both oral and written communication

• Predisposition to be proactive and a self-starter; comfort with ambiguity and ability to troubleshoot and to devise targeted, ad hoc solutions

• Willingness to be a life-long learner; faculty will be expected to participate in summer, before, during and after school professional development activities throughout the year (a minimum of 10 hours/year)

• Willingness to complete additional tasks assigned by the principal