Chicago Public Schools
Gifted Program Support Specialist
Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Posting Date
Apr 25, 2025, 3:30:21 PM
Primary Location Central-42 West Madison Street (Adv Learning and Specialty Prg)
Job Grade CPS Non-Union Job Grade : SG1
Position Type Non-Union Position
Overtime Status Exempt
Job Overview Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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 Advanced Learning and Specialty Programs (ALSP) serves as a catalyst to empower learners to be successful and positive contributors in their school community, post‑secondary pathways, and life. Through programmatic support and collaborative partnerships, ALSP provides equitable access to high‑quality, student‑centered programs (Advanced Placement, Gifted, International Baccalaureate, Magnet, and Personalized Learning) that develop the interests, strengths, and talents of our learners.
Job Summary Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Gifted Program Support Specialist will collaborate closely with other Program Support Specialists to ensure a coherent vision for PreK‑12 teaching and learning is scaled throughout all program focus schools. The primary objective of the Gifted Program Support Specialist is to ensure that the support provided by the Office of Teaching and Learning improves both the school‑level conditions and the student experience and outcomes aligned to the CPS Instructional Core Vision through the lens of the programmatic focus area.
The Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs challenges gifted and talented students through either whole‑school models or programs and services within existing schools. Students may apply and test into selective enrollment elementary schools. The Gifted Program Support Specialist will be charged with supporting district gifted schools (e.g., Regional Gifted Centers, Regional Gifted Centers for English Learners, Classical Schools, Academic Centers) as well as schools that provide services in neighborhood gifted programs, in the implementation of their respective programs, including Comprehensive Gifted Programs and the Specific Aptitude Program. This is a full‑time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
Responsibilities
Design and facilitate professional learning for a variety of internal and external stakeholders that deepens their understanding of CPS Instructional Core and program‑specific practices to support it
Ensure that professional learning content for CPS Network Chiefs/Deputies, Instructional Support Leaders (ISLs), school leaders, central office instructional leaders, external partners, and other educators successfully achieves the following:
Leads educators in developing, implementing, and refining network‑specific professional learning plans that ensure district‑wide learning is prioritized and supported within each programmatic focus area
Builds their capacity in supporting school leaders and teacher leaders with program‑specific learning
Prepares them to lead school‑based learning through coaching, team meetings, workshops, etc.
Ensure that professional learning for Teachers and Teacher Leaders fulfills the following:
Supports them in effectively contributing to their schools’ Instructional Leadership Teams
Builds their capacity for leading their colleagues in program‑specific learning and reflection grounded in student learning
Collaborate with classroom teachers, school‑based instructional teams, school leaders, and external partners to design and execute a school‑based vision, CIWP, and a robust plan for implementing the school’s program model
Monitor the fidelity of school‑wide implementation of the program focus model
Consult with school leaders on problem‑solving, change management, and the design of school‑wide systems and structures that enable the adoption of the school’s specialty program
Identify trends and common needs across schools to inform the district‑wide strategy for the specialty program’s support and adoption
Assist teachers and school leaders in aligning their school’s program model with the instructional core and other district‑wide priorities
Support schools in preparation for successfully completing their respective certification processes
Contribute to program‑specific guidance, resources, and policy to ensure a consistent instructional vision is promoted within and across all schools within the programmatic focus area
Collaborate with other Program Support Specialists to support shared initiatives
Maintain program area expertise through staying abreast of current research, practices, and innovations in the field
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications Education Required
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university, required
Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate content and/or grade level endorsement(s) is required.
LBSI, ESL, or Bilingual Endorsement, preferred
Master’s degree in a relevant field of study, preferred
Experience Required
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience, including the following, is required:
Minimum of five (5) years of classroom teaching experience. Three (3) years as a classroom teacher will be considered in combination with two (2) years in a similar program support specialist‑level 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 working with adult learners, including creating, organizing, and facilitating professional learning experiences to meet the needs of participants
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Expertise in planning, designing, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning
Deep knowledge and understanding of Gifted Program instructional best practices
Exceptional organizational skills; ability to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously
Capable of building and sustaining positive, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable collaborating and communicating across a diverse range of audiences, including network teams, principals, teachers, and support staff
Comfort collaborating and communicating across a diverse range of audiences, including network teams, principals, teachers, and support staff
Commitment to CPS Instructional Core Vision
Ability to build consensus and leverage expertise with educators across the district
Excellent technology skills (Google Suite)
Conditions of Employment
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.
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life Keep in touch to hear about our organization.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Primary Location Central-42 West Madison Street (Adv Learning and Specialty Prg)
Job Grade CPS Non-Union Job Grade : SG1
Position Type Non-Union Position
Overtime Status Exempt
Job Overview Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 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 Advanced Learning and Specialty Programs (ALSP) serves as a catalyst to empower learners to be successful and positive contributors in their school community, post‑secondary pathways, and life. Through programmatic support and collaborative partnerships, ALSP provides equitable access to high‑quality, student‑centered programs (Advanced Placement, Gifted, International Baccalaureate, Magnet, and Personalized Learning) that develop the interests, strengths, and talents of our learners.
Job Summary Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Gifted Program Support Specialist will collaborate closely with other Program Support Specialists to ensure a coherent vision for PreK‑12 teaching and learning is scaled throughout all program focus schools. The primary objective of the Gifted Program Support Specialist is to ensure that the support provided by the Office of Teaching and Learning improves both the school‑level conditions and the student experience and outcomes aligned to the CPS Instructional Core Vision through the lens of the programmatic focus area.
The Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs challenges gifted and talented students through either whole‑school models or programs and services within existing schools. Students may apply and test into selective enrollment elementary schools. The Gifted Program Support Specialist will be charged with supporting district gifted schools (e.g., Regional Gifted Centers, Regional Gifted Centers for English Learners, Classical Schools, Academic Centers) as well as schools that provide services in neighborhood gifted programs, in the implementation of their respective programs, including Comprehensive Gifted Programs and the Specific Aptitude Program. This is a full‑time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.
Responsibilities
Design and facilitate professional learning for a variety of internal and external stakeholders that deepens their understanding of CPS Instructional Core and program‑specific practices to support it
Ensure that professional learning content for CPS Network Chiefs/Deputies, Instructional Support Leaders (ISLs), school leaders, central office instructional leaders, external partners, and other educators successfully achieves the following:
Leads educators in developing, implementing, and refining network‑specific professional learning plans that ensure district‑wide learning is prioritized and supported within each programmatic focus area
Builds their capacity in supporting school leaders and teacher leaders with program‑specific learning
Prepares them to lead school‑based learning through coaching, team meetings, workshops, etc.
Ensure that professional learning for Teachers and Teacher Leaders fulfills the following:
Supports them in effectively contributing to their schools’ Instructional Leadership Teams
Builds their capacity for leading their colleagues in program‑specific learning and reflection grounded in student learning
Collaborate with classroom teachers, school‑based instructional teams, school leaders, and external partners to design and execute a school‑based vision, CIWP, and a robust plan for implementing the school’s program model
Monitor the fidelity of school‑wide implementation of the program focus model
Consult with school leaders on problem‑solving, change management, and the design of school‑wide systems and structures that enable the adoption of the school’s specialty program
Identify trends and common needs across schools to inform the district‑wide strategy for the specialty program’s support and adoption
Assist teachers and school leaders in aligning their school’s program model with the instructional core and other district‑wide priorities
Support schools in preparation for successfully completing their respective certification processes
Contribute to program‑specific guidance, resources, and policy to ensure a consistent instructional vision is promoted within and across all schools within the programmatic focus area
Collaborate with other Program Support Specialists to support shared initiatives
Maintain program area expertise through staying abreast of current research, practices, and innovations in the field
Other duties as assigned
Qualifications Education Required
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study from an accredited college or university, required
Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate content and/or grade level endorsement(s) is required.
LBSI, ESL, or Bilingual Endorsement, preferred
Master’s degree in a relevant field of study, preferred
Experience Required
Minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience, including the following, is required:
Minimum of five (5) years of classroom teaching experience. Three (3) years as a classroom teacher will be considered in combination with two (2) years in a similar program support specialist‑level 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 working with adult learners, including creating, organizing, and facilitating professional learning experiences to meet the needs of participants
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Expertise in planning, designing, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning
Deep knowledge and understanding of Gifted Program instructional best practices
Exceptional organizational skills; ability to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously
Capable of building and sustaining positive, productive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable collaborating and communicating across a diverse range of audiences, including network teams, principals, teachers, and support staff
Comfort collaborating and communicating across a diverse range of audiences, including network teams, principals, teachers, and support staff
Commitment to CPS Instructional Core Vision
Ability to build consensus and leverage expertise with educators across the district
Excellent technology skills (Google Suite)
Conditions of Employment
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.
Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice
Medical Plan Options
Pharmacy
Vision
Behavioral Health & EAP
Employee Wellness Program
Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
Basic Life Insurance
Life and Disability Insurance
Pension Plans
Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Spot Pet Insurance
Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life Keep in touch to hear about our organization.
#J-18808-Ljbffr