Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 330,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them 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. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Department of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) supports inclusive and innovative learning experiences in math, science, computer science, and whole-school integrated STEM & STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programming across the district. It is our commitment that every day, in every STEM classroom in CPS, all students will: actively make sense of and construct solutions to complex questions; productively contribute to the learning community to support a culture of collaboration, risk-taking, and innovation; and regularly reflect on and communicate their understanding of disciplinary ideas. Through these experiences and purposeful opportunities to face transdisciplinary challenges, students will graduate from CPS with advanced STEM literacies prepared to make the world a better place.

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the Department of STEM, the Manager of STEM Implementation and Supports will contribute to the effective implementation of STEM programming as it relates to school site conditions, cross-disciplinary curriculum, instruction, assessment, and intervention for all students with a specific focus on the district’s STEM schools. Additionally, this position will provide direct leadership and oversight to direct reports within the department.

The Manager of STEM Implementation & Supports will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Provide vision and direction for district-wide PreK-12 STEM programming, teaching, and learning, with a focus on school-wide shifts in practice
• Manage a high-functioning and collaborative team that is able to execute effectively, meet deadlines, and improve the student experience in STEM and STEAM schools
• Lead the annual STEM/STEAM program continuous improvement cycle by collaborating with STEM and STEAM School Administrators to identify areas of growth, develop priorities, and implement strategies for program improvement
• Lead the STEM Program Support Specialists in providing guidance, professional learning, and leadership to the school-based STEM Specialists in their work as instructional coaches and champions of STEM practices in their schools
• Develop and model effective coaching relationships
• Provide guidance and resources to support Specialists in implementing meaningful learning cycles
• Monitor and provide feedback to Specialists to support continuous improvement
• Design, coordinate, and facilitate ongoing, responsive professional learning for:
• School-based STEM Specialists
• STEM School Administrators
• STEM School Teachers
• Collaborate on the revision and implementation of the Academic Programs Application and Certification Processes
• Collaborate regularly with the Citywide STEM Initiatives Manager and other departments such as the Department of Arts Education, Advanced Learning and Specialty Programs, and Early College and Career Education to ensure alignment of priorities and initiatives
• Provide subject matter expertise on district-wide initiatives including cross-departmental programs, RFPs, professional learning, and resource development
• Perform other related duties as required

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Manager of STEM Implementation & Supports must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university
• Valid teaching certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate grade level and content level endorsement, is required. (Candidates with a valid out-of-state, reciprocal license will be considered but must obtain ISBE licensure within 6 months of hire.)
• Master’s degree in STEM field, Education, or related field preferred

Education Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in PreK-12 education, including the following, is required:
  • Minimum of five (5) years of classroom teaching experience in a STEM-related field. (Three (3) years of teaching experience will be considered in combination with two (2) years in an elevated, content specialist-type position.)
  • Minimum of three (3) years of teacher leadership experience, such as leading school teams in the development of curriculum and assessments, analyzing student performance data, etc.
  • Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with adult learners, including creating, organizing, and facilitating professional learning experiences to meet the needs of participants
  • Experience leading a high-functioning team within the content area focus
  • Experience with program management, providing professional coaching or managing others
  • Experience with strategic planning and adult learning to shape the cross-content district-wide professional learning strategy

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and the Next Generation Science Standards
• Expertise in research-based instructional practices and strategies
• Understanding of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• High standards for performance; ability to articulate a vision, set high standards, and effectively guide team members in the realization of expectations set
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Proven track record of success and a clear focus on results
• Excellent facilitation, written, and oral communication skills
• Knowledge of critical issues in education
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.