Chicago Public Schools
Student Voice and Leadership Specialist
Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60601
Student Voice And Leadership Specialist
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students
student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience. The Chicago Public School's Instructional Core Vision centers identity, community, and relationships, which is called the "Inner Core." Located within the Office of Teaching and Learning, the Department of Student Voice & Engagement (DSVE) leads the district's inclusive and responsive education strategy that aims to ensure all aspects of schooling in CPS are inclusive of and responsive to the lived experiences of students, and includes young people as key stakeholders in making decisions that impact them. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will support the strategic expansion and improvement of Student Voice Committees in CPS. This position will work directly with adult stakeholders advancing the Student Voice Committee program at their schools as a coach and professional learning provider. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will also support the district's student voice infrastructure initiative, and help identify and advance opportunities for expanding youth-adult partnerships in decision-making across CPS. In order to ensure a coherent vision for a student voice infrastructure scaled throughout CPS, this role will be responsible for training teachers, principals, as well as youth in nurturing productive relationships that foster an inclusive, democratic culture. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will report to the Manager of Student Voice & Leadership and will collaborate closely with colleagues in the department as well as across the central office. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities: Supervise and support Student Voice Committees (SVCs) across CPS Expand opportunities for Student Voice Committees across schools Co-design and facilitate varied professional learning opportunities for SVC students, facilitators, and administrators Lead continuous improvement in SVC strategy, ensuring SVCs are well supported and have the guidance and parameters conducive to a productive and trusting school community Plan and deliver student and educator-facing events that model inclusive partnerships and civic engagement Support DSVE in advancing District-wide student voice and leadership initiatives Represent Chicago Public Schools and the Department of Student Voice and Engagement through internal and external collaborative relationships Maintain expertise in the fields of culturally responsive pedagogy, equity and inclusion, and student voice and leadership Other duties as assigned In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Student Voice and Leadership Specialist must possess the following qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, required Master's degree, preferred Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience and/or relevant full-time professional experience leading programming that supports youth in school improvement, school culture and climate, and/or civic engagement contexts, including the following: Minimum of three (3) years working with educators and students in a school setting Minimum of three (3) years working with adult learners, including creating, organizing, and facilitating professional learning experiences to meet the needs of participants. Experience working with schools and community groups on Chicago's south and west sides, preferred Experience working within school improvement systems and structures, such as culture and climate Teams and/or Student Voice committees, preferred Spanish language proficiency, preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of anti-bias, anti-racist, and anti-adultist pedagogy; commitment to providing an educational environment free of discrimination and bias that uplifts Black and Brown students, celebrating their impact on our communities and world Capable of creating high-quality opportunities for teachers and students in youth voice, civic education, and democratic learning Act collaboratively and with integrity to build bridges and consensus within socially, racially, and politically diverse groups Expertise in planning, designing, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning Exceptional organizational skills; ability to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously; able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks as well as adapt to priorities that change quickly. Superior analytical and critical thinking skills - analyze data to inform daily decisions, define problems, and take action 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 Solution-oriented - ability to address and solve challenges collaboratively with multiple interests/parties involved; strong sense of urgency for accomplishing goals and objectives. Excellent technology skills (Google Suite, Student Information Systems, etc.) 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.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students
student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience. The Chicago Public School's Instructional Core Vision centers identity, community, and relationships, which is called the "Inner Core." Located within the Office of Teaching and Learning, the Department of Student Voice & Engagement (DSVE) leads the district's inclusive and responsive education strategy that aims to ensure all aspects of schooling in CPS are inclusive of and responsive to the lived experiences of students, and includes young people as key stakeholders in making decisions that impact them. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will support the strategic expansion and improvement of Student Voice Committees in CPS. This position will work directly with adult stakeholders advancing the Student Voice Committee program at their schools as a coach and professional learning provider. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will also support the district's student voice infrastructure initiative, and help identify and advance opportunities for expanding youth-adult partnerships in decision-making across CPS. In order to ensure a coherent vision for a student voice infrastructure scaled throughout CPS, this role will be responsible for training teachers, principals, as well as youth in nurturing productive relationships that foster an inclusive, democratic culture. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will report to the Manager of Student Voice & Leadership and will collaborate closely with colleagues in the department as well as across the central office. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis. The Student Voice and Leadership Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities: Supervise and support Student Voice Committees (SVCs) across CPS Expand opportunities for Student Voice Committees across schools Co-design and facilitate varied professional learning opportunities for SVC students, facilitators, and administrators Lead continuous improvement in SVC strategy, ensuring SVCs are well supported and have the guidance and parameters conducive to a productive and trusting school community Plan and deliver student and educator-facing events that model inclusive partnerships and civic engagement Support DSVE in advancing District-wide student voice and leadership initiatives Represent Chicago Public Schools and the Department of Student Voice and Engagement through internal and external collaborative relationships Maintain expertise in the fields of culturally responsive pedagogy, equity and inclusion, and student voice and leadership Other duties as assigned In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Student Voice and Leadership Specialist must possess the following qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, required Master's degree, preferred Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience and/or relevant full-time professional experience leading programming that supports youth in school improvement, school culture and climate, and/or civic engagement contexts, including the following: Minimum of three (3) years working with educators and students in a school setting Minimum of three (3) years working with adult learners, including creating, organizing, and facilitating professional learning experiences to meet the needs of participants. Experience working with schools and community groups on Chicago's south and west sides, preferred Experience working within school improvement systems and structures, such as culture and climate Teams and/or Student Voice committees, preferred Spanish language proficiency, preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of anti-bias, anti-racist, and anti-adultist pedagogy; commitment to providing an educational environment free of discrimination and bias that uplifts Black and Brown students, celebrating their impact on our communities and world Capable of creating high-quality opportunities for teachers and students in youth voice, civic education, and democratic learning Act collaboratively and with integrity to build bridges and consensus within socially, racially, and politically diverse groups Expertise in planning, designing, facilitating, and evaluating professional learning Exceptional organizational skills; ability to effectively manage several work streams simultaneously; able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks as well as adapt to priorities that change quickly. Superior analytical and critical thinking skills - analyze data to inform daily decisions, define problems, and take action 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 Solution-oriented - ability to address and solve challenges collaboratively with multiple interests/parties involved; strong sense of urgency for accomplishing goals and objectives. Excellent technology skills (Google Suite, Student Information Systems, etc.) 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.