School Improvement Specialist

Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced School Improvement Specialist to work alongside the Regional Offices of Education and Chicago Public Schools. As a School Improvement Specialist, you will be responsible for implementing strategies and initiatives in Chicago Public Schools to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for students and staff. This position requires a strong background in school improvement and leadership. This role will involve collaborating with teachers and administrative staff to develop and implement effective school improvement plans, provide professional learning, and ensure compliance with educational standards and policies. The specialist also analyzes data to identify areas for improvement and monitors the progress of implemented strategies.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Education preferred; Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in school or district leadership, coaching, or consultancy with an emphasis on school improvement.
• Demonstrated success in implementing effective educational improvement strategies with measurable results.
• Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal education laws and regulations to ensure compliance in school improvement efforts.

Skills and Competencies:

Continuous Improvement:

• In-depth understanding of the challenges and needs of schools requiring intensive improvement efforts.
• Ability to use systems thinking for holistic educational problem-solving.
• Expertise in analyzing internal and external influences on school performance.
• Strong knowledge and facilitation skills in continuous improvement processes.
• Ability to disaggregate and analyze measures of progress of schools, staff, and students.

Robust Coaching Skills:

• Effective leadership in team settings and collaborative efforts, with a focus on engaging and productive team dynamics.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, suitable for a diverse educational environment.
• Skills in enhancing the capabilities of school leaders to drive improvement initiatives.
• Strong capabilities in establishing trust and effective communication channels among teachers, staff, students, and the community.

Educational Research and Best Practices:

• Knowledge of current curriculum standards, teaching methodologies, and innovations in education.
• Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting educational data to assess program effectiveness and student outcomes.

Professionalism:

• Strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to motivate people.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, maintaining high ethical standards.
• Adaptability to change, with skills in adjusting strategies based on situational needs and feedback.
• Excellent organizational skills Ability to coordinate, plan, meet deadlines, and accomplish specific tasks.
• Sensitivity and awareness to diverse cultural backgrounds and the ability to engage effectively across cultural boundaries.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized support (both on-site and virtual) to schools in Chicago Public Schools (CPS), focusing on specific needs and challenges in implementing their School Improvement Plan (SIP) and effective school improvement processes and practices.
• Review and interpret local and state data regularly to monitor progress on key performance indicators and the effectiveness of the SIP.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant ISBE requirements and deadlines.
• Create and present evidence-based resources and professional learning opportunities, including coaching, webinars, workshops, academies, and conferences.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of improvement initiatives on student achievement and school performance.
• Work closely with school leadership teams (SLT) to align improvement initiatives with the school's overall vision and SIP goals. Develop and communicate timelines for all SLT meetings and coaching sessions.
• Attend weekly meetings with the IARSS CPS School Improvement Team.
• Provide direct coaching to SLTs in the development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of the SIP
• Lead job-embedded leadership coaching to build the capacity of leaders to sustain continuous improvement initiatives (both on-site and virtual).
• Prepare and submit detailed monthly progress reports and expenditure reports.
• Stay informed about the latest educational research and best practices, and implement innovative strategies to enhance school outcomes.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits:
- Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience

We are an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience. Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Weekdays

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a minimum 5 years of experience in school or district leadership, coaching, or consultancy with an emphasis on school improvement?

Education:

• Master's (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Chicago, IL (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Chicago, IL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person