Program Manager, Magnet Schools Assistance Program (Msap)

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 nearly 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 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.
The Program Manager will oversee and direct all teaching & learning experiences at STEM and STEAM (collectively STE(A)M - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Schools with programming funded by the Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP). In collaboration with department leadership, this position will ensure that the support provided by the Department of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs improves both the school-level conditions and the student experience and outcomes aligned to the CPS Instructional Core Vision through the lens of the STEAM Standards for Success. The Program Manager will report to the Senior Program Manager, MSAP (assigned as the MSAP grant "Project Director") and will collaborate closely with the Executive Director of Advanced Learning & Specialty Programs and ALSP colleagues to ensure a coherent vision for the implementation of the 2017 and 2023 MSAP grants.
Note: This is a grant-funded role through SY27. Employment beyond SY27 is contingent upon successfully receiving additional MSAP grant funding.
The Program Manager will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Support the Department of ALSP and the Senior Program Manager in the successful administration of MSAP grant-funded programs across CPS Schools
• Ensure the MSAP program vision is clearly and regularly communicated as the school's priority
• Manage and professionally develop direct reporting ALSP curriculum specialists, facilitating a professional learning community, providing oversight, ongoing coaching and performance management (including evaluations) to ensure achievement of performance and development goals
• Provide leadership and guidance to school-based STE(A)M Specialists, including bi-monthly shadowing of individual Specialists to provide coaching and feedback
• Collaborate to create professional learning communities (PLCs) among district Instructional Support Leaders, STE(A)M Specialists, Curriculum Specialists, Principals, and Teacher Leaders
• Develop and facilitate bi-weekly PLCs for STE(A)M Specialists
• Develop tools and structures to support schools implementing the department's STE(A)M programs, such as:
• Tools that identify and address common needs across schools
• Tools to accurately assess schools' implementation
• Lead the development and enhancement of the K-8 STE(A)M instructional programs and collaborate with district leaders for science and math, curriculum specialists and/or designers, STE(A)M specialists, teachers, and principals on the development and maintenance of the STE(A)M curriculum
• Promote effective instructional practices and communication that support high levels of instruction through the use of research-based, data-driven best practices, effective classroom consultation, and program evaluation
• Ensure effective program implementation through regular coaching of school-based STE(A)M Specialists
• In collaboration with the Senior Program Manager, ensure the collection of accurate data regarding program implementation and success, such as:
• Progress toward key grant milestones and team goals
• Student program performance data
• Engage with professional learning partners to ensure alignment of external professional development (PD) to program goals and district priorities
• Provide feedback to professional development partners to ensure high-quality learning experiences for all stakeholders
• Provide advisory support to school leaders in change management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability planning
• Oversee curriculum development and staff training
• Support with the development of content for monthly leadership-focused PLCs for Principals
• On a monthly basis, provide detailed reports to the Senior Program Manager to ensure program goals are on track
• Provide some administrative support for all MSAP program activities, such as:
• Regular communication with participating schools
• Assisting with the development of reports on grant progress and program success
• Manage the logistics and tracking of all professional development activities
• Remain up-to-date on new pedagogical tools and practices related to STE(A)M programming
• Support other projects, workstreams, or duties as required to achieve departmental success

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Program Manager must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Mathematics, Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.
• Valid teaching certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate content and grade-level endorsement is required. (Candidates with a valid out-of-state, reciprocal license will be considered but must obtain ISBE licensure within 6 months of hire.)
• LBSI, ESL, or Bilingual endorsement, preferred
• Master's degree in a relevant field, preferred.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in educational program/project management, including the following, is required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of classroom teaching experience
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in a supervisory role with responsibility for leading a team of direct reports
• Experience working in STEM school programming
• Grant management experience
• Three (3) years of instructional coaching, school- or district-level leadership experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expertise in STEM school programming
• Highly effective, organized, instructional leader capable of designing and delivering high-quality professional development, coaching, and working with adult learners
• Strong leadership and team building skills (i.e., ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success)
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholder groups, including internal and external partners, educators, school leaders, and district leadership
• Ability to to define problems, analyze data, and use data to inform decision-making at both district- and school-level
• Self-motivated with strong initiative to identify and address project/program barriers and opportunities
• Team player; ability to take on new projects and responsibilities as needs arise
• Skilled multi-tasker and excellent time manager; ability to effectively achieve multiple goals and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Committed to the mission of schools to improve the lives of students and families through the department's program offerings

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.