Curriculum and Instruction Specialist (Unit Based)

Curriculum and Instruction Specialist

Position Title: Curriculum & Instruction Specialist, Unit-Based (Professional IV), Office of School Improvement
Organization: Chicago Public Schools
Department: Office of School Improvement
Supervisor's Title: Manager of Curriculum & Instruction, Office of School Improvement
 
Position Summary:
In support of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) mission to create a system of schools that prepares all students for college and career success, the Office of School Improvement (OSI) is at the cutting edge of school reform efforts across the nation.  Working in close collaboration with Principals and Network Chiefs of Schools, OSI supports struggling CPS schools to re-position themselves on a path toward sustainable success through a combination of leadership, educational, operational, and data strategy supports.
 
The unit-based OSI Curriculum & Instruction Specialist is responsible for supporting the OSI Curriculum & Instruction Manager in ensuring that best practice curriculum and instructional supports are provided to schools served by OSI, working to transform classroom learning environments into models of student learning, and resulting in strengthened and sustainable instructional practice in every school and in turn significantly increased student achievement.  This includes professional development and capacity building based on targeted needs of schools served, with a focus on strengthening the capacity of school-based instructional coaches, and guiding them in areas such as common planning, data driven instructional practice, effective creation and implementation of curriculum and assessments, and coaching teachers through observations and post conferences.  This work will require close collaboration with other CPS education departments as well as ongoing research of cutting edge educational best practices, particularly in serving under-performing schools, in order to ensure high-impact, research-based strategies are consistently brought to bear in supporting schools.  The Specialist will support team efforts to regularly codify best practices into tools that schools can leverage to support sustainable success. 
 
Primary Accountabilities:

1. Support ongoing deployment of research-based instructional best practices in supports offered to OSI-served schools. This includes supports related to curriculum and assessment development, data driven instruction, effective use of common planning time, and coaching teachers through observation. 
2. Participate in school "quality reviews" to diagnose school's strengths and priority improvement areas and inform school instructional support needs.
3. Monitor and drive continuous improvement in impact of instructional supports, observing delivery of professional development and coaching as well as day-to-day implementation of recommended practices in schools.
4. Support delivery of professional development to Principals, school leadership teams, and coaches as needed.
5. Codify best practices into products that can be shared across CPS schools.
6. Perform other tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position as assigned by the OSI Curriculum & Instruction Manager. 
7. Serve as active member of OSI Education Support team, engaging in efforts such as strategy setting, performance management, and team building.  Support efforts to drive cross-departmental collaboration.

Qualifications: 

1. Demonstrated mastery of research-based curriculum and instruction best practices.  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret student assessment data to inform classroom instruction efforts.
2. Skilled in developing and implementing curriculum and professional learning activities, with proven results driving student achievement gains. 
3. Cognitive coaching experience and Instructional Leadership experience
4. Documented experience and proficiency in "Understanding by Design"
5. Skilled in building positive, collaborative coaching relationships to drive impact at the school level.  Exhibits interpersonal skills to work as an effective team member.
6. Authentic commitment to pre-planned and strategic professional learning both individually and in groups.
7. Project planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and the ability to align and manage activities toward execution of identified goals.
8. Self-starter with ability to conduct multiple projects concurrently, both independently and as a member of a collaborative team.
9. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
10. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
11. Attention to detail and exceptionally strong organization skills.
12. Demonstrates initiative in identifying potential problems or opportunities for improvement.
13. Demonstrates sound judgment and ethical practice.
14. Receptive to feedback and committed to ongoing growth.
15. Comfort level with transparent and public sharing of data.
16. Willingness to learn and adapt in the midst of new and shifting priorities with a "can-do" solutions-oriented approach to problem solving.
17. Proficient in MS Office Suite and comfortable learning new software.
18. Possess a track record of success as demonstrated by superior academic and professional achievement.
19. Bachelors in education required.  Masters or Doctorate in curriculum and instruction or related field with a strong emphasis on data-informed instruction that raises student achievement preferred.
20. Teaching Certification AND 5+ years classroom, coaching or similar experience.  Certification in English Language Arts or Reading Specialist highly preferred.
21. Experience in urban education and specifically serving underperforming schools preferred. 

Interested candidates please visit http://www.cpsosi.org/careers