Financial Education Manager

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 are 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. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments - high quality, rigorous instruction, talented and empowered educators, safety and support, financial stability and collective impact.

The Financial Education Manager will be responsible for managing, measuring, advancing, and communicating the CPS Financial Education strategy to disrupt cycles of poverty through youth and adult financial education and community-based learning, and prepare all young people for college, career, and civic life.

This position oversees the Financial Education strategic plan within the Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement, refining and advancing the Financial Education pedagogical approach for K-12, managing individuals within the department, working towards alignment within SSCE on inquiry-based and project-based learning, and directly working with Network Chiefs and ISLs, school principals, teachers, students, and partners both internally in CPS and externally.

The ideal candidate will have rich experience in curriculum, assessment, and instructional design, adult professional development design, and a strong background in team development, project management, and partner engagement. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for financial education as a means for socio-economic justice, pedagogy and research, and a mission-driven spirit that will enhance and continue to develop the existing strategy for CPS Civic Life, and support the department in fully realizing our strategic plan.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the development and management of the Financial Education (FE) strategic plan.

• Develop and promote a financial education instructional vision aimed at disrupting cycles of poverty and empowering individuals, communities, and organizations as disruptors of cycles of poverty in Chicago.

• Establish a new standards-aligned classroom curricular, instructional, and professional development foundation for financial education in elementary school.

• Develop a financial education curriculum and instruction quality measurement system.

• In partnership with SSCE Director, manage FE Team operational and budgetary responsibilities, including grant commitments, and ensure expenditures and activities are aligned to our strategic plan.

• Collect, review and utilize internal and external data to monitor, measure, and inform our strategic goals, vision and overall effectiveness.

• Provide oversight and direction to FE team that is consistent with and promotes SSCE's overall mission, vision, guiding principles, and values for CPS Civic Life

• Lead employees using the CPS performance management and development process that provides a framework for goal setting, feedback, and performance development planning.

• Coach, mentor, and develop staff, including providing staff professional development planning and opportunities, and overseeing new employee onboarding.

• Empower staff agency and ownership for their work and goals. Delegate responsibility, expect accountability, and provide regular feedback. Oversee individual schedules: professional development, meetings, conferences, vacations and paid time off.

• Foster a spirit of teamwork and collaboration among team members that allows for critical and creative thinking, appreciation for diversity of ideas and perspectives, and the support each individual needs for the department to fully realize our vision for financial education in CPS.

• Maintain transparent and effective communication and collaboration amongst the CE team. Schedule and plan regular team meetings and occasional retreats when necessary. Appropriately communicate District and SSCE strategic information through department meetings, one-on-one meetings, email, and regular interpersonal communication.

• Communicate and collaborate with Social Science and Civic Engagement Director daily. Provide timely status reports on progress, needs, concerns, and considerations to SSCE Director

• Manage the preparation and maintenance of reports necessary to promote and advance the goals of the department. Prepare periodic reports for the leadership team, funders, partners, and schools as necessary or requested, to track strategic goals and progress.

• Proactively support Financial Education Partnerships Specialist with external partners and partnerships, organizations, non-profits, and other providers that support the strategic direction of our vision for CPS Civic Life.

The Financial Education Manager should have the following knowledge and capacities:

• A passion and love for Chicago and Chicago Public Schools.

• Interest and passion for economics and financial literacy, and knowledge of the systems and structures that contribute to the socioeconomic health of individuals and communities.

• A belief that student voice and democratic learning experiences are a critical component of a quality public school education.

• Experience in and knowledge of anti-bias, anti-racist, and anti-adultist pedagogy.

• Skilled in leading professional development for teachers, administrators, and/or external partners

• A deep commitment to providing access to high-quality curriculum and transformative learning experiences for all students and teachers.

• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with: • Inquiry-driven teaching and learning

• Culturally sustaining pedagogies • Community-based learning • Student-centered formative and summative assessment • Standards-based curriculum and instruction • Illinois State Social Science Standards In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Financial Education Manager should possess the following qualifications:

Type of Education Required:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Education, Economics, Political Science, Youth Development or Leadership, Non-profit Management or related disciplines.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• 3+ years teaching experience (elementary experience preferred, not required)

• 5+ years experience in CPS or other urban education setting preferred

• Experience leading teams, including planning and executing professional development preferred

• 5+ years experience working in social justice education and culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy

• Evidenced success in collaborating with a variety of stakeholders with varied backgrounds and experiences

• Evidenced experience and knowledge in working with young people living and learning in economically challenged communities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Is passionate about civic education and dedicated to the development of high quality opportunities in this field for CPS teachers and students.

• Possesses excellent analytical and organizational skills.

• Proficient in data collection and analysis using Google sheets or Excel

• Is a strong communicator; speaking, listening, and writing.

• Self-motivated and able to self-direct.

• Able to independently seek out and develop new partnerships and opportunities for students and teachers.

• Organized, able to work in fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks as well as adapt to priorities that change quickly.

• Demonstrates a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives.

• Is invested in and committed to being part of a team.

• Skilled writer and orator

Residency Requirement :

As a condition of employment with 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 district.