Central & Network Offices
Lead Citywide is CPS’ strategy for professional, career and leadership development services for Central and Network Office team members.
Lead Citywide is building leaders within CPS Central and Network Offices through a robust set of professional growth experiences. This new initiative is an investment in the development of CPS staff, offering free professional learning opportunities (and credits) to all team members, from emerging staff to the c-suite, through a variety of learning formats: in-person, virtually and online.
Explore current programs and opportunities below:
Our tiered approach is a curated set of cohorts, programs, and learning opportunities designed to build leadership effectiveness for all levels of CPS Central and Network Office staff. Interested in participating? Talk to your manager today. Note: Participation is currently limited as this new program scales up to serve all Central/Network Office staff. More space and cohort experiences will be offered throughout 2023 and 2024.
| Tier 1 |
All Central Office/Network Team Members
|
| Tier 2 |
Managers and Directors (typically pay grades S08-S10) Cohort experiences that teach specific skills to support operational leaders.
|
| Tier 3 |
Directors, Executive Directors and Above (typically pay grades S11 Above)
|
Fall 2023 Courses available for all Central and Network Office employees:
You can also explore the tabs below for LinkedIn Learning, External Partnerships and Programs, and Self-Paced Resources.
A robust list of learning opportunities in-person, virtual and e-learning that take place each year.
Fall Courses:
- Leading Difficult Conversations
- Leading with Trust
- LEAP: Leadership Essentials, Actions, and Practices
- Leading with Your Strengths
Spring Courses:
Spring Cohort Experiences:
You can also explore the tabs below for LinkedIn Learning, External Partnerships and Programs, and Self-Paced Resources.
Fall Courses:
Spring Courses:
You can also explore the tabs below for LinkedIn Learning, External Partnerships and Programs, and Self-Paced Resources.
LinkedIn Learning is a premier online learning provider offering thousands of free video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. CPS Central Office and Network Employees have free access to the platform.
What would you like to learn today? Whether you want to brush up on your Project Management skills, prepare for a presentation, learn how to engage your teams or update your resume and sharpen your interviewing skills, LinkedIn Learning can help you get there.
Check out our new 2023 Playlists. Learn more and get started through the Job Aid to Access Portal.
- Tier 1: Developing Yourself at Work
- Tier 2: Foundations for a New Leader
- Tiers 1-3: Improving Leadership Presence
Need a hand? Send us an email at leaderdevelopment@cps.edu we can consult with you to build a playlist that is customized for your development, or to help you play an active role in developing your employees’ leadership.
While we are proud of our new and expanded investments in professional development offered through CPS, we also have long-standing partnerships with leading external institutions to help grow your professional skillsets and connections. These programs have recently expanded eligibility, making it easier to participate. Plus, staff can apply for sponsorships to fund your participation.
Explore these programs below to find one that’s a great fit for you.
CPS program partners include:
- Bonfire for Women in Leadership
- Cambiar Catalyst Fellowship
- Civic Leadership Academy hosted by the University of Chicago
- Executive Leadership Program hosted by the Allstate Foundation
- Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)
- Mujeres de HACE
- IMPACT hosted by the Chicago Urban League
- Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) for Senior Leadership
- Surge Institute developing leaders of Color
Sponsorships are available, but to be considered for funding, your sponsorship request must be received internally before your external application is submitted.
Questions? Send us an email at leaderdevelopment@cps.edu
Included below are additional resources to explore and access at your own pace:
- Book Reads: Shopping for a great leadership book or wondering what CPS’ top leaders are reading? Visit our Book Recommendations every month to see what’s new!
- Free Self Assessments: A variety of online assessments are available to staff for free. To gain a better understanding of yourself, your strengths and skills, take more than one and compare results.
- Strengths Assessment (Leadership Strengths)
- Motivational Assessment of Personal Potential (Skills & Abilities)
- Find Your Ideal Career (Career Planning)
- MBTI (Personality)
- Plus, explore additional opportunities (programs, fellowships, mentorships, and more) offered through the Opportunity cards below.
Chicago Leadership Collaborative – Pathway 1 (CLC P1)
This program prepares teacher leaders in their current role to develop the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics required to be successful and effective future participants in a school leadership preparation program (prior to principal internship/endorsement or residency).
TIMELINE TO SCHOOL LEADER ROLE (after program): Anytime within 3-4 years of program completion
Ready for: Principal Prep Program; CLC Pathway 2*
*Requires candidate to be enrolled in Principal Endorsement program.
DURATION~15 professional learning hours; plus 10 hours of 1:1 coaching (over the course of the school year Sept – May)
APPLICATION WINDOW
March – April 2024
Eligibility– at least 3 years previous teaching experience;
– some previous teacher leader experience;
– access to lead teacher teams in current role;
– review New Leaders – Emerging Leaders program description & materials;
– approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate in yearlong program and impact change through leadership project
ORGANIZATIONCPS – DPQ/School Leader Pipeline
Chicago Leadership Collaborative – Pathway 2 (CLC P2)
The CLC Pathway 2 will provide leadership development and aligned professional learning that provides preparation for a school leader role, supported by coaching and in-role stretch assignments, opportunities to observe, participate and demonstrate leadership while completing the Illinois State Board of Education) (ISBE) internship program or administrator endorsement requirements.
TIMELINE TO SCHOOL LEADER ROLE (after program): Immediate to 2 years following program completion
Ready for: Assistant Principal or Resident Principal
DURATION~25 professional learning hours; plus 20 hours of 1:1 coaching (over the course of the school year Sept – May)
APPLICATION WINDOW
March-April 2024
Eligibility– active CPS employee with at least 4 years teaching experience;
– have an Illinois Professional Educator License AND be pursuing a Principal Endorsement*;
– access to lead teacher teams in current school-based role;
– desire and commitment to become a CPS assistant principal within the next 2-3 years;
– approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate.
* If you are not yet pursuing an endorsement, this pathway allows you the opportunity to participate if you apply and are selected for the endorsement program through National Louis University
ORGANIZATIONCPS – DPQ/School Leader Pipeline
Tier 3 – Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute (AAPI T3)
The Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute (AAPI) Tier 3 is an intensive year-long professional development program for aspiring assistant principals who identify and complete a specified change project to impact a school-wide initiative around student achievement. Participants are tasked with building teachers’ capacity and practice and aim to be AP ready upon completion of AAPI.
Tier 3 Focus:
Building leadership skills through implementing change to increase school improvement
Applying distributive leadership practices
Utilize systems and practices of school leadership
Themes:
Strengthening your leadership impact
Leading change
DURATION10+ sessions over the course of the school year
APPLICATION WINDOW
March – April 2024
Eligibility– at least 2 years team leadership experience
– at least 4 years previous teaching experience
– possess an active Illinois State Board of Education PEL AND Administrative Endorsement (or Type 75 equivalent)
– possess ISBE certification to evaluate teachers (REACH) *must be complete before the start of the Tier 3 program
– current leader of adult teams and active membership on a school-level leadership team (like ILT)
– desire and commitment to become a CPS assistant principal upon completion of the AAPI Tier 3 program
– approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate in yearlong program and impact change through leadership project
ORGANIZATIONCPS Dept. of Principal Quality (Engagement Team) and The Chicago Public Education Fund
Affinity Groups (DPQ & The Fund)
The Department of Principal Quality, in partnership with the Fund, is launching Affinity Groups for aspiring leaders. These groups will support participants in building their personal and professional cultural identity and community. There will be monthly touch points for participants to connect with colleagues who share their affinity. The groups offered will be: Black, Latino/a/e, Asian-American Pacific Islander, White and LGBTQIA+. The Affinity Groups aim to provide safe spaces for aspiring leaders to discuss topics related to their cultural backgrounds and experiences. Participants will be able to bring their authentic selves and find community as they navigate their leadership journeys.
DURATIONYear Long Program
APPLICATION WINDOW
Opens in March but is on-going throughout the year
EligibilityAffinity Groups: Black, Latino/a/e, Asian-American Pacific Islander, White and LGBTQIA+.
Current CPS employees aspiring to grow into future leadership roles.
ORGANIZATIONThe Chicago Public Education Fund
Design Coaching to Implement
Design Coaching to Implement is a full year of implementation support — one on one coaching and cohort learning. School teams will create a new project for their school, or get support on an existing initiative. We offer additional design studios throughout the school year, which teach school-based teams how to conduct empathy interviews and use those insights to design responsive programming with students and in communities. Participating teams are eligible for CPDU credits and a $1,000 stipend.
DURATION1 academic year.
APPLICATION WINDOW
Opens March 2024-August 2024
EligibilityTeams can be lead by Principals, Assistant Principals, or Teacher Leaders.
ORGANIZATIONVOCEL
Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL)
Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) is a cohort-based program designed for school leaders and administrators to strengthen their leadership of early learning (P-2) programs in their schools by identifying and implementing strong early learning practices. Expert early learning leadership coaches from VOCEL partner closely with you to determine the most pressing challenges in your early grades and develop a tailored action plan. Through cohort discussions and customized coaching, VOCEL supports you and your team to improve outcomes for your earliest learners and strengthen learning in the early years that will pay off through 8th grade and beyond.
DURATIONYear long program, with opportunity to engage in differentiated second year
APPLICATION WINDOW
Opens March 2024
Eligibility– Highly preferred: Lead an elementary school with Title I designation
– Have at least one Pre-K classroom
– Preferred: ability to commit to two-year program model
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality (Engagement Team)
School Leaders Communications Committee
School Leaders Communications Team will help us streamline communication for school leaders, and create systems of support to ensure school leaders have the information they need to be successful and lead their schools.
DURATION1 year
APPLICATION WINDOW
March-April
Eligibility3 or more years a school leader (Principal or AP)
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality (Engagement Team)
School Leaders Celebration and Appreciation Committee
This team will focus on celebrations and appreciation for School Leaders. They will plan for School Leader Summit (July), Principal Appreciation Month (Oct), AP Appreciation Month (April) and the end of the year School Leaders Party.
DURATION1 year
APPLICATION WINDOW
March-April
EligibilityPrincipal or AP with at least 1 year of experience
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department Principal Quality (Engagement Team)
School Leaders Care Team
The School Leaders Care team is a cross-collaboration between district leaders and school leaders that will create safe, nurturing, supportive environments for Principals and Assistant Principals.
DURATION1 year
APPLICATION WINDOW
April-June
Eligibility1 or more years as a sitting principal
ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality
Assistant Principal Peer Professional Developer
Assistant Principal Peer Professional Developers are experienced assistant principals who have demonstrated high performance in skill areas aligned to the CPS School Leader Competencies and the daily work of CPS assistant principals. Assistant Principal Peer Professional Developers have experience delivering professional learning in small group and large group settings and are interested in further developing their skills as leaders of adult learning. Assistant Principal Peer Professional Developers work in partnership with the DPQ School Leader Development team to plan, organize, and facilitate professional learning for CPS assistant principals.
DURATION1 school year
APPLICATION WINDOW
March 2024-May 2024
Eligibility– At least three years as a CPS assistant principal
– Identified expertise in content or context areas
– Proficient or Distinguished ratings on assistant principal practice evaluation for the most recent two school years
– Approval from supervisor and additional CPS Leadership
ORGANIZATIONCPS – DPQ/School Leader Pipeline
Tier 1 – Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute (AAPI T1)
The Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute (AAPI) Tier 1 is a short-series leadership professional development program aimed at providing information and guidance for those interested in learning about the assistant principal role and responsibilities.
Tier 1 Focus:
Building leadership profile
Leveraging informal leadership to impact change
Examining systems and practices of school leadership
Themes:
Activating your potential to lead
Leading self
DURATION4-5 sessions
APPLICATION WINDOW
March – April 2024
EligibilityThe following are pre-requisites to applying for the AAPI Tier 1 program:
– at least 3 years previous teaching experience
– some previous teacher leader experience
– interest in obtaining Administrative Endorsement
– commit to approximately 10 hours of informational PD
NextGen Mentorship Program
The Talent Office is developing a new mentorship program for Central and Network Office employees, Lead with CPS, that will launch in 2024. With a specific focus on diversity and inclusion, this program will be a pivotal part of our strategy to ensure that the next generation of CPS administrative leaders are most representative of the students, families and communities they serve.
DURATION7 months
APPLICATION WINDOW
Applications are now open.
EligibilityMENTEE ELIGIBILITY: Staff who are managers of self and don’t have any record of professional misconduct. Priority will be given to applicants who have received exemplary in one area of their most recent RISE evaluation. Mentors will be nominated and details forthcoming.
Questions or need to get in touch?
Please email: leaderdevelopment@cps.edu
