Temporary STE(A)M Coordinator

NOTE: The notation “STE(A)M” indicates the information applies to a STEM school and a STEAM school. 

The STE(A)M Coordinator 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 Coordinator will ensure science, technology, engineering, and mathematics core content and practices are key components within units of instruction. In addition, STE(A)M Coordinators 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 Coordinator 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. 

The STE(A)M Coordinator will be housed in a STEM or STEAM School and act as a member of the school’s STE(A)M Leadership Team. This is a 43.6 week Curriculum & Instructional Coach position, which will report to and be evaluated by the School Principal and supported by the Office of Teaching and Learning. 

List of Qualifications

 Education and Experience: 

● Minimum of three to five years teaching experience with knowledge and experience in curriculum mapping and integration of educational technology. Experience working with adult learners and knowledge of various coaching models is a plus. 

License Requirements: 

● Coordinators must possess at least one of the following valid teaching licenses issued by the Illinois State Board of Education: Professional Educator License (PEL) or Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) plus ISBE-issued endorsements in Science, Technology, Computer Science, Math (and Arts in STEAM schools). 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

● Have clear goals and strategies for integrating technology into instruction 

● Ability to coach, mentor, and teach adults to support their use of technology in delivery of curricula through a variety of instructional methods (hardware, software and Internet resources in support of student learning) 

● Willingness to participate in PLCs and plan with colleagues around new and innovative approaches for implementing instructional activities

● Willingness to collaborate with area universities and organizations on instructionally linked student activities and projects 

● Demonstrated ability and/or willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse school community to promote STE(A)M awareness and engagement through targeted partnerships and activities 

● Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills which include both oral and written communication

 ● Predisposition to be proactive and a self-starter; comfort with ambiguity and ability to troubleshoot and to devise targeted, ad hoc solutions 

● Willingness to be a lifelong learner; faculty will be expected to participate in summer, before, during and after school professional development activities throughout the year 

● Willingness to complete additional tasks assigned by the principal 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities of the STE(A)M Coordinator 

Professional Development and Instructional Coaching 

● Assess the skill level and work products (e.g., plans, assessments) of teachers in areas related to STE(A)M instructional approach priorities including cooperative learning strategies, authentic assessments, technology integration, and problem-based learning 

● Work with school leadership and Instructional Leadership Team to design a comprehensive professional learning and support plan based on teacher needs 

● Plan, design, and lead differentiated professional learning sessions aligned to CPS STE(A)M Standards for Success 

● Conduct non-evaluative observations of teachers and provide high-quality coaching to teachers using strategies that align to their development needs 

● Coordinate external professional development opportunities for teachers, including CPS-required PD, as well as other self-arranged partnerships, as needed

 ● Participate in the STE(A)M Coordinator Professional Learning Community, focusing on sharing practices, analyzing data, targeting interventions, and creating a culture of collaboration across STE(A)M Schools 

Curriculum Support and Development 

● Collaborate with teachers and teacher teams in curriculum development to plan problem based units, performance assessments, opportunities for authentic technology integration, and meaningful cross-curricular connections 

● Participate in grade-level and department meetings to coordinate curricular projects and provide targeted support toward STE(A)M instructional approaches 

● Facilitate involvement of external partners in classrooms across the curriculum (i.e., authentic experiences, audiences, and assessments)

 ● Support non-STE(A)M subject teachers in understanding and infusing STE(A)M-related experiences in meaningful and appropriate ways 

Academic Support, Enrichment, and Community Engagement

● Identify gaps in student performance to plan strategic academic interventions for targeted
students, to increase participation in advanced STE(A)M coursework
● Provide access to engaging STE(A)M related enrichment to increase student interest, experience,
and development of STE(A)M habits of mind (e.g., robotics, science club, etc.)
● Promote STE(A)M awareness and engagement through targeted partnerships and activities
(STE(A)M Exploration Nights, Student Competitions, etc.) that enhance academic achievement
across the curriculum