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 Language and Cultural Education (OLCE) exists to guide CPS in providing a high-quality education for all language learners that is attentive to a culturally and linguistically diverse community of students, families, and educators. OLCE aims to achieve its mission through strategic planning, collaborative partnerships, professional development, and the production of tools and resources to improve instruction.
Job Summary:
The EL Instructional Specialist: Dual Language is a key member of our educational team responsible for enhancing and supporting dual language programs within our school district. This role plays a pivotal role in promoting bilingualism and biliteracy among students, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and ensuring the effectiveness of dual language programs. The EL Instructional Specialist: Dual Language will support schools to ensure high-quality education in the district's dual language programs. Reporting to the Dual Language Program Manager and the Deputy Chief of OLCE, the specialist will play a pivotal role in dual language best practices in schools. This position requires a deep understanding of bilingual education, curriculum development, program expansion, and a commitment to promoting multilingualism and cultural competence.
The EL Instructional Specialist: Dual Language will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:
- Conduct classroom observations and data analysis to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
- Provide teachers and staff with targeted support and professional development to enhance instructional practices and ensure program alignment with educational standards.
- Support curriculum specialists to develop and refine dual language curriculum aligned with district standards, state frameworks, and best practices in bilingual education.
- Ensure the curriculum integrates culturally relevant content and diverse perspectives to foster inclusivity and equity.
- Utilize student performance data, language proficiency assessments, and program evaluation results to inform decisions related to program modifications, interventions, and improvements.
- In coordination with the EL Instructional Practice team, design and facilitate professional development opportunities for dual language teachers, administrators, and support staff, focusing on bilingual teaching strategies, language acquisition, and cultural competence.
- Collaborate with school administrators, teachers, and instructional leaders to establish and maintain high program quality standards in our dual language initiatives.
- Collaborates across departments to ensure alignment and coherence for instruction
In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the EL Instructional Specialist: Dual Language must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, bilingual and/or dual language education, or related field
- Master's Degree preferred
- Illinois Professional Educator Licensure, Bilingual and/or ESL endorsement.
Experience Required:
- Five (5) years of teaching and/or leadership experience in dual-language education
- Previous experience with coordinating and/or providing professional development required
- Bilingual, or multilingual preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders; establish efficient working relationships with colleagues, district and school staff, and community-based organizations
- Ability to manage, problem-solve, and delegate as situations dictate
- Ability to recognize failures and learn from mistakes to improve conditions for working and learning as a team
- Ability to travel to schools and other locations throughout the district
- Ability to be a self-learner and demonstrate excellent organizational skills
- Demonstrate proficiency in a range of technology tools and software: Google docs, Microsoft Office, and Mac applications
- Bilingual/multilingual preferred
- Able to improve conditions for working and learning as a team
- Demonstrate effective organizational skills
- Demonstrate exceptional written, verbal, and oral skills
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.