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Distributed Leadership Specialist

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

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Job Details

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 students at more than 600 schools. CPS employs more than 34,000 people, more than half of whom are teachers, and has set ambitious goals to ensure that every childin every school and every neighborhoodhas access to a world-class learning experience, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready. CPS students are making incredible progress. Recently, CPS announced a record-high graduation rate of 77.5% and boasts some of the fastest learning growth in the nation among large cities.

In September 2017, CPS was awarded a federal grant of more than $12 million over five years to implement a project called: Distributed Leadership in Opportunity Schools (DLOS). This project expands teacher leadership - both formally and informally - in CPS' 62 hardest-to-staff schools (Opportunity Schools). Two Empowered Schools cohorts (totaling 16 schools) are currently in full implementation, with 15 more to be onboarded in spring 2020

The Distributed Leadership Specialist (DLS) will play a critical role in supporting the teachers and principals as they implement this new distributed leadership model. The DLS will ensure the success of the teacher leaders, spending a significant amount of time in schools directly coaching principals and teacher leaders. The DLS will work closely with senior stakeholders across two offices inCPS, including the Director of Teacher Leader Development in Innovation in the Office of Teaching and Learning and Project Director in the Talent Office, as well as external partner organizations and vendors.

The Distributed Leadership Specialists (DLS) will join several cross-functional teams, including the Teacher Leadership Big Team and the steering committee that manages the federal grant. One DLS will report to the Talent Office, and one will report to the Office of Teaching and Learning.

Position Summary

The primary objective of the Distributed Leadership Specialist is to ensure the successful implementation of new teacher leadership models in the first Empowered Schools Cohort, while simultaneously supporting selection and training of the second cohort. More specifically, the DLS will:

  • Manage a portfolio of schools implementing new distributed leadership models as a strategy for improving student performance and teacher practice.

  • Design and deliver monthly professional learning opportunities for teacher leaders;

  • Design and deliver quarterly professional learning for the principals of Opportunity Schools;

  • Plan and execute annual Distributed Leadership Summer Institute each summer;

  • Organize application process, conduct info session, and manage selection process for third cohort of schools (to be selected annually in January);

  • Serve as a member of the District Design Team, charged with ensuring a cohesive and supportive experience for all Empowered Schools;

  • Participate in planning meetings and lead follow up on efforts to expand distributed leadership across CPS; and

  • Perform other duties as assigned.



Qualifications :

  • Unmatched organizational skills, and able to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously;

  • Actively builds and sustains positive, productive relationships with stakeholders;

  • Excellent listening skills, empathetic and able to infer meaning and read people;

  • Strong strategic thinker, able to weigh competing priorities quickly to determine the appropriate path to success;

  • Outcome-focused, skilled at using data to draw inferences and meaning to make recommendations and/or decisions;

  • Comfort with ambiguity and establishing a direction on one's own, with frequent support but minimal direct supervision;

  • Strong interpersonal, relational, and presentation skills and comfortable leading discussions;

  • Comfort collaborating and communicating across a diverse range of audiences, including executive leaders, principals, teachers and support staff;

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; and

  • Commitment to CPS leadership's vision for success, including support and respect of colleagues and the communities CPS serves.



Education and Professional Experience:

  • Bachelor's Degree required, Master's preferred, preferably in education or policy fields of study

  • Experience as a teacher required, teacher leadership or administrative experience required

  • Experience leading adults and knowledgeable of adult learning theory

  • Practice in leading change; knowledgeable of change management practices

  • 5+ years of relevant professional experience



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 his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the distric t.

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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