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

  • In-person and online training including on-the-job training, online courses, professional development opportunities, LinkedIn Learning access, Lunch and Learn events, and career planning.
  • Professional Development SY2024 Catalog (see below)
  • LinkedIn Learning Online Classes and Resources- Instructions to access the platform
Tier 2

Managers and Directors (typically pay grades S08-S10)

Cohort experiences that teach specific skills to support operational leaders.

  • Professional Development SY2024 Catalog (see below)
  • Take the Lead – Director Cohort
  • LEAP (Leadership Essentials, Actions and Practices)- New Leader Cohort- Registration opens late summer 2024
Tier 3

Directors, Executive Directors and Above (typically pay grades S11 Above)

  • Professional Development SY2024 Catalog – (see below)
  • Center for Effective Government (CEG)- Coming in winter/spring 2024
  • LinkedIn Learning Online Classes and Resources- Instructions to access the platform

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:

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.

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:

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.
  • Plus, explore additional opportunities (programs, fellowships, mentorships, and more) offered through the Opportunity cards below.

Implict Bias Training at CPS

Our Implicit Bias Training 101 creates awareness of unconscious bias and moves to implement inclusive behaviors for leaders to use in their daily work at CPS. Implicit Bias awareness is important, but on its own does not lead to behavior change. This unique leadership training incorporates interactivity and exercises that lead to greater awareness and culture shifts required to improve employee engagement, leadership outcomes, and innovation.
DURATION2 hours
APPLICATION WINDOW

Leaders who fit the eligibility criteria will be emailed with registration instructions.

Class Offerings: Feb-March 2024

EligibilityCentral office or network leader (manager and above) new to CPS (mandatory) Central office or network leader (manager and above) that has accepted a new leadership role overseeing the work of others (mandatory) Central office or network leader that has an open position they are recruiting for (optional)
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Building Trust and Leading with Trust

"In this course you will learn behaviors that allow you to build trust with new teams and partnerships, accelerate the speed of trust with established clients, employees, and constituents, and restore trust back to a broken relationship."
DURATION1 day
APPLICATION WINDOW

Building Trust (for individual contributors) – Sept 19, 2023, 9am-3pm, held at 42 W. Madison
Leading with Trust (for managers and up) – Nov 1, 2023, 9am-3pm, held at 42 W. Madison

EligibilityBuilding Trust – Individual contributors; Leading with Trust – Managers and up
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Navigating and Leading Difficult Conversations

"This course teaches dialogue skills that lead to results when stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong. It empowers leaders to create safe spaces to discuss difficult topics and workplace issues, helping reach alignment and agreement on important matters. The skills turn into behaviors that improve decision-making, commitment to action, productivity, and relationships. As these behaviors become consistent, they empower organizations, teams, and individuals to develop high-performance cultures based on trust and respect."
DURATION1 day
APPLICATION WINDOW

Navigating Difficult Conversations (for individual contributors) – Oct. 16, 2023 (option 1) OR Nov. 30, 2023 (option 2)

Leading Difficult Conversations (for managers and up) – Oct, 3, 2023 (option 1)
OR Nov. 6, 2023 (option 2)

All options are 9am-3pm at 42 W. Madison

EligibilityNavigating Difficult Conversations (for individual contributors); Leading Difficult Conversations (for managers and up)
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ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality

Common Program Application SY25

The Common Program Application provides an opportunity for current and aspiring leaders to apply to programs and opportunities that best fit their professional growth needs in one place, and which are offered through the Department of Principal Quality, the Office of Equity, and The Chicago Public Education Fund.
APPLICATION WINDOW

March 18 – April 15, 2024

EligibilityCurrent and aspiring leaders in CPS!
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ORGANIZATIONCPS – Department of Principal Quality

Principal Eligibility Assessor

Principal Eligibility Assessors participate in the CPS Principal Eligibility process by utilizing school leader experience and competency knowledge through reading and/or interviewing future school leader candidates.
DURATIONVaries
APPLICATION WINDOW

Ongoing; Pre-Eligibility Cycle

Eligibility– Member of the CPS Principal Candidate Pool – Approval from Network Chief and CPS Leadership – Improved Student Outcomes* for the Last 2 Years (SY23, SY24 to date) *as determined by the applicant with supporting evidence – Be able to attend initial assessor training and calibration sessions once every two years
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ORGANIZATIONChicago Women in Philanthropy

Women’s Leadership Mentorship Program (Chicago Women in Philanthropy)

1 year program that pairs emerging, mid-career and established women leaders in the nonprofit sector.
DURATIONOne year
APPLICATION WINDOW

Deadline: Friday, September 3, 2022

EligibilityWomen who are at or reaching the mid-career stage of their professional development, seven to ten years of work experience, must be CWIP members.
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ORGANIZATIONTeachers Supporting Teachers

Teachers Supporting Teachers Liaison

The Teacher Liaisons collaborate with an administrator to identify a school specific need and establish a goal for their Impact Team.
DURATIONOne year
APPLICATION WINDOW

May 2024

EligibilitySuggested two-plus years in the classroom.
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ORGANIZATIONTeachers Supporting Teachers

Teachers Supporting Teachers Coach

A TST Coach supports two Teacher Liaisons as the Teacher Liaisons build an Impact Team at their individual school sites.
DURATIONOne year
APPLICATION WINDOW

April 2024

EligibilitySuggested four-plus years in the classroom and required previous leadership experience (eg. leading a grade-level team, department team).
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ORGANIZATIONAllstate Foundation, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

The Allstate Foundation – Executive Leadership Program

7 month program designed to help nonprofit leaders accelerate their careers and transform their organizations and communities through academic instruction, executive coaching and interaction with an 30-person exclusive cohort.
DURATION7 months
APPLICATION WINDOW

Thank you for your interest in the The Allstate Foundation’s Executive Leadership Program. The application window for the current cohort has closed. Please complete this form to be notified when applications open for the 2024-2025 cohort during the summer of 2024.

Eligibility– More than 10 years of professional experience. – More than three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. – More than five years of experience in a leadership role, whether that’s formally leading a team or leading a project, workstream, associate board, etc. -Priority consideration will be given to leaders who’ve demonstrated a commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. – Your supervisor should support your participation (i.e., time to attend programming, alignment with your professional goals, etc.). – No active discipline issues (e.g., CAP, PIP, Warning Resolution, etc.).
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ORGANIZATIONAccelerate Institute

Accelerate Membership

The Accelerate Membership is a unique membership-based program for school leaders that will give leaders access to an ever-growing bank of resources, online courses, supports, and programming options.
DURATIONOne year
APPLICATION WINDOW

N/A

EligibilityCurrent CPS Principal, Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach
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ORGANIZATIONTeach Plus

Teach Plus Policy Fellow

Fellows deepen their knowledge of education policy and gain a voice in decisions that affect students and the teaching profession.
DURATIONOne year
APPLICATION WINDOW

April 21, 2024

EligibilityTwo years of teaching experience required.
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ORGANIZATIONTeach Plus

Teach Plus Change Agent

DURATIONOne year
APPLICATION WINDOW

Deadline: April 29, 2024

EligibilityAll applicants must be current classroom teachers with a minimum of two years of teaching experience in a Chicago school (charter or district), with a student population of at least 70% free or reduced lunch.
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Tiffany TaylorExecutive Director of HR Partnership, Talent
 
Evangelina (Eva) CovarrubiasExecutive Director, Office of Equity
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Questions or need to get in touch?

Please email:

Chicago Public Schools
42 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60602
773-553-1000
LeadwithCPS@cps.edu

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