Training Specialist, Teacher Residency Program

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 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. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

About the role

The CPS Teacher Residency Program is an accelerated two-year program, in partnership with multiple universities, that trains new teachers in high-needs content areas while allowing them to work toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree. As part of the Teach Chicago 2025 initiative, this role supports schools in expanding teacher pipelines, improving new teacher readiness, ensuring equitable access to high-quality teachers, and building diversity for long-term change.

Reporting to the Training Manager, the Training Specialist supports the Teacher Residency Program by creating and delivering professional development and learning experiences that develop knowledge and theory in educational equity and best practices for pre-service teachers.

Responsibilities

• Curate and coordinate existing professional development content in partnership with subject matter experts internally and externally, as well as facilitating quarterly resident checkpoints
• Support Residents facing programmatic challenges by meeting 1:1 and developing and implementing support and improvement plans
• Partner with training sites to ensure positive and supportive learning experiences for Resident Teachers, including visiting schools to resolve on-site problems or concerns
• Contribute to the design of a professional development scope and sequence for pre-service teachers and paraprofessionals
• Provide support to the Training Manager throughout the training site selection process, including conducting interviews with prospective Mentor teachers
• Build strong relationships with residency candidates, training sites, university partners, internal CPS departments, and other professional learning organizations
• Deploy a wide variety of training methods to support diverse learning and processing styles
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience, including experience as a classroom teacher
• Must be able to travel to various locations around the city and work flexible hours, including evening hours and occasional weekends

Skills

• Substantial experience in urban education environments with a proven track record of student achievement
• Experience designing and/or leading professional development for teachers
• Experience coaching, observing, and/or providing formal feedback to teachers, including peers
• Strong service and support orientation towards schools and school communities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with a positive demeanor, growth mindset, and collaborative orientation
• Excellent coordination and time management skills
• Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment
• Ability to transform educational research into deliverable content and support and practice tools
• A high degree of cultural competence and experience in cross-cultural communication
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Google Suite, specifically Excel/Sheets, PowerPoint, Word/Docs

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents, including medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision options
• Behavioral health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security

• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance

• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for full details.

Pay

Estimated annual salary range: $54,000.00

Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position paid on a salary basis. Work hours may include evenings and occasional weekends.

Conditions of Employment

• Employees must establish and maintain Chicago residency within six months of hire and throughout employment (excludes temporary/part-time positions).
• All employees must be residents of Illinois.