The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every child-in every school and every neighborhood-has access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school and college- and career-ready.
The Department of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) 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 in 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.
OVERVIEW
The STE(A)M School Specialist role will plan and take the steps necessary to continually improve and expand STE(A)M integration within their assigned school, thereby enriching the lives of more students in Chicago Public Schools. Each school that receives district investments in the form of FTE will designate at least one of the centrally funded positions as the primary "STEM Specialist" or "STEAM Specialist".
STE(A)M Specialist Job Description
The STE(A)M Specialist will play an integral part in supporting teachers in the development of instructional materials and implementation of all STE(A)M instructional approaches (specifically alignment and integration of CCSS-Mathematics, and NGSS). The STE(A)M Specialist will ensure science, technology, engineering, and mathematics core content and practices are key components within units of instruction. In addition, STE(A)M Specialists will provide professional learning opportunities for all staff and coordinate community engagement events that promote sustainable integration of a whole school STE(A)M approach. While the work of the STE(A)M Specialist will influence all components of the STE(A)M Standards for Success, direct impact will be measured in the following components: Instructional Approach, STE(A)M Career Pathways, External Partnerships, and the integration of engineering and computer science across non-STE(A)M courses/disciplines.
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
Academic Support
The Department of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) 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 in 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.
OVERVIEW
The STE(A)M School Specialist role will plan and take the steps necessary to continually improve and expand STE(A)M integration within their assigned school, thereby enriching the lives of more students in Chicago Public Schools. Each school that receives district investments in the form of FTE will designate at least one of the centrally funded positions as the primary "STEM Specialist" or "STEAM Specialist".
STE(A)M Specialist Job Description
The STE(A)M Specialist will play an integral part in supporting teachers in the development of instructional materials and implementation of all STE(A)M instructional approaches (specifically alignment and integration of CCSS-Mathematics, and NGSS). The STE(A)M Specialist will ensure science, technology, engineering, and mathematics core content and practices are key components within units of instruction. In addition, STE(A)M Specialists will provide professional learning opportunities for all staff and coordinate community engagement events that promote sustainable integration of a whole school STE(A)M approach. While the work of the STE(A)M Specialist will influence all components of the STE(A)M Standards for Success, direct impact will be measured in the following components: Instructional Approach, STE(A)M Career Pathways, External Partnerships, and the integration of engineering and computer science across non-STE(A)M courses/disciplines.
Summary of Roles and Responsibilities
Academic Support
- Support Tier 1 learning experiences that prepares students for access and success in advanced and enriched coursework in the STEM disciplines (science, math, computer science)
- Develop, monitor, and implement a Professional Learning Plan (PLP) to ensure whole school implementation of instructional practices reflective of the STE(A)M approach
- Support integration of practices aligned to the STE(A)M approach by serving as subject matter expert, consultant, and instructional coach to teachers
- Ensure all teachers have access to necessary resources to support implementation of STE(A)M practices within their classrooms and throughout the building
- Promote STE(A)M awareness and engagement through partnerships and activities with families and community members that enhance academic achievement.
- Support STEM-related enrichment opportunities for students to generate interest in and provide exposure to STEM fields/careers
- Participate in STEM Specialist PLCs, check-ins, and PL focused on refining capacity as instructional leaders, sharing practices, analyzing data, differentiating interventions, and sustaining a culture of collaboration