Executive Director, STEM

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.

Located within the Office of Teaching and Learning, the CPS Department of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Programs supports inclusive and innovative learning experiences in math, science, computer science, and whole-school integrated STEM & STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) programming across the district. It is our commitment that every day, in every STEM classroom at CPS, all students will: actively make sense of and construct solutions to complex questions; productively contribute to the learning community to support a culture of collaboration, risk-taking, and innovation; and regularly reflect on and communicate their understanding of disciplinary ideas. Through these experiences and purposeful opportunities to face transdisciplinary challenges, students will graduate from CPS with advanced STEM literacies prepared to make the world a better place.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Deputy Chief, Teaching & Learning, the Executive Director of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) provides the vision and direction for district-wide K-12 STEM expectations, guidance, and ongoing support for curriculum, instruction, assessment and intervention impacting all students. This is a full-time [exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Executive Director, STEM will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Lead strategic planning around STEM initiatives to support a district-wide vision for mathematics and science teaching and learning
• Collaborate with universities/external institutions and foundations to secure funding and build partnerships that support STEM improvement efforts
• Lead the Department of STEM to improve student outcomes via professional learning, curriculum supports, programmatic supports, and partnerships
• Supervise, develop, and manage the performance of a high functioning and collaborative team that is able to execute effectively, meet deadlines, and produce quality work to further the visions of the district, office, and department
• Collaborate with relevant offices and departments to support a coherent vision for teaching and learning across content areas
• Provide subject matter expertise on district-wide initiatives including cross-departmental programs, RFPs, professional learning, and resource development

• Other duties and workstreams as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Executive Director, STEM must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, required
• Master's degree in a relevant field of study, preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of seven (7) years managing STEM programs and initiatives
• Minimum of five (5) years supervising a team
• Minimum of five (5) years of teaching experience in a STEM-related field

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, the Next Generation Science Standards, and 21st Century Learning Framework
• Expertise in research-based instructional practices and strategies
• Strong leadership skills
• High standards for performance
• Understanding of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Proven track record of success and a clear focus on results
• Excellent facilitation, written, and oral communication skills
• Excellent technology skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Google Docs, etc.)
• Knowledge of critical issues in education
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders

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.