Middle School Social Science Specialist

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every childin every school and every neighborhood - has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college and career-ready, and informed and engaged civic actors.

The Middle Social Science Specialist provides district-wide supports and guidance on social science curriculum, instruction, assessment and intervention for all students in grades PreK-8. 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 Middle Social Science Specialist will be expected to collaborate with ES Specialist, HS Social Science Specialists, and the Civic Engagement team in addition to supporting high school learning. This will include supporting projects and working collaboratively to ensure articulation in social science teaching and learning from elementary through high school.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the district-wide vision for elementary school Social Science and Civic Engagement teaching and learning

• Support and inform the development of resources, including curriculum and assessments, aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science and the Common Core State Standards, that will result in student growth in NWEA

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

• Design and facilitate professional learning for elementary school teachers, instructional leaders, and administrators based on network needs and recommendations from Chief

• Create tools and resources that demonstrate instructional best practices in ES social science • 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

• Provide differentiated instructional support in a portfolio of schools through working:

o Directly with teachers to model and support the use of effective, research-based instructional practices that is guided by data/evidence

o Collaboratively with teams (Departments, ILTs, etc.) to drive data-informed instructional planning and be accountable for targeted outcomes

o With school-based leadership teams to meet school, network, and district goals

• 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

• Communicate with clarity the agreed upon strategies and norms for supporting networks and schools

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the HS 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-12 classroom

• Experience teaching in a grade 6-8 classroom is preferred

• Leadership experience required

• A minimum of 3 years working with adult learners, including, designing, facilitating and evaluating professional learning needs of teachers

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

• Expertise in the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Science, research-based social science instructional practices and pedagogy

• Knowledge of critical issues in education

• Experience designing and leading adult professional learning experiences

• Experience in or passion for civic engagement and civic learning

• Experience with curriculum mapping, unit planning, and formative progress monitoring using the Understanding By Design framework

• Experience leading and/or coaching teacher teams (ILT, grade level teams, department, content teams)

• Ability to define problems, analyze data and develop action plans as part of a continuous improvement cycle and knowledge of NWEA

• Strong leadership skills; driven and self-motivated with high standards for performance

• Understanding of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

• Commitment to continuous improvement with evidence of impact

• Excellent facilitation, written, and oral communication skills

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

• Experience managing a portfolio of projects simultaneously while meeting associated deadlines

• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders