Teachers
Teachers Lead Chicago is a first-of-its-kind teacher leadership initiative in CPS, in which the district is supporting, defining, and compensating formal teacher leadership opportunities in nearly every school.
Teachers Lead Chicago
One of the cornerstones of CPS’ recommitment to strengthening the district’s instructional core is investing in empowered and supported educators. CPS continues to deepen our supports to ensure all schools have strong cultures of distributed leadership that include:
Academically-Focused ILTs:
Strong, academically-focused instructional leadership teams (ILTs) made up of Teacher Leaders
Collaboratively-Engaged Teams:
Teachers actively participating in Teacher Leader-led learning cycles
Embedded Connected Coaching:
Providing individualized feedback and support to all teachers embedded within their learning cycle
In 2022, CPS launched Teachers Lead Chicago — our strategy to define school-based leadership roles so teachers can “lead without having to leave” the classroom.
Our message to teachers is simple and direct: We see you and we value you. We heard which aspects of the job are most important to you – and we know it’s not always a straight line from the classroom to the principal’s office or your next opportunity. Many say you’d rather assume leadership roles that allow you to stay in the classroom, where you can continue to grow while contributing to student achievement.
Under Teachers Lead Chicago, all CPS teachers can join teacher leader-led teams to support professional growth and development. Find your right fit by exploring the list and opportunity cards below.
Teachers Lead Chicago Opportunities:
Connect with your school leaders to learn more and apply.
- New Teacher Mentor
- High School Department Chair
- Resident Mentor
- Team Lead
- Team Director
- Lead Coach
These are expanded and new school-based teacher leadership roles. In spring 2023, we will publish a list of opportunities available for SY24. Connect with your school leader to learn more, identify which leadership role is the best fit for you, and to apply.
Filter Teacher Opportunities
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.
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
Questions or need to get in touch?
Please email: distributedleadership@cps.edu
