JOB DESCRIPTION -
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 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 Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) provides support, strategic alignment, and partnership development to schools within CPS’s 13 elementary school networks while also driving critical support that helps to boost student learning for our youngest learners. OECE provides school administrators and teachers with the professional learning and resources needed to engage students in rich and rewarding early grades learning experiences.
The Early Childhood Classroom Coach will provide classroom-level coaching to early childhood teachers within an assigned caseload of new teachers and other teachers identified as benefiting from coaching each school year. The Early Childhood Classroom Coach will use a relationship-based approach to develop an individual coaching plan for each teacher and to design effective learning practices that help them achieve their professional goals. This position will report to the Manager of Curriculum and Instruction.
The Early Childhood Classroom Coach will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
- Provide coaching and professional development for early childhood teachers focused on instructional quality in early childhood education
- Develop a continuous improvement cycle in partnership with assigned classroom teachers to support high-quality child outcomes
- Partner with the Early Childhood Specialists and Professional Development Specialists to align coaching support with professional development strategy and opportunities
- Use the CLASS Observation tool to help teachers identify areas for improvement and prepare for annual observations
- Ensure curriculum and assessment supports individualized instruction for children.
- Collaborate with other Early Childhood and district staff to ensure the quality of early childhood programs
- Provide support to teachers and principals on Office of Early Childhood strategy, guidance, and approaches
- Work to support the implementation of district initiatives, such as Skyline Curriculum
- Support alignment of practice and structure from preschool through second grade
- Other duties as assigned
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Early Childhood Classroom Coach must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, required
- Master’s Degree in Early Childhood or related field with a focus on curriculum and instruction, preferred
- Valid Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate grade and/or content endorsement(s), including early childhood endorsement (or out-of-state licensure and endorsement equivalent) is required.
Experience Required:
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience working in early childhood classrooms, required
- Chicago Public School experience preferred
Other Requirements:
- Access to reliable transportation to transport materials and travel between worksites is required
- Valid driver’s license and vehicle access, preferred
- Knowledge of The Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies GOLD, and Teachstone CLASS, preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build positive and responsive professional relationships with teachers and colleagues across CPS
- Knowledge of adult learning theory and effective methods for training, coaching, or supporting adults
- Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate early childhood practice in school settings
- Capable of working independently as well as functioning effectively and collaboratively and maintaining high levels of productivity in a variety of work locations, settings and environments (ex: a designated office setting, school locations without an available office space, and/or other nontraditional work settings)
- Excellent organization and project management skills
- Ability to analyze and use data to monitor, assess, and improve program quality, and complete reports, projects, and other tasks in a professional and timely manner
- Ability to use a range of technology and tools, including computer proficiency with programs such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
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.