Manager of Coaching and Improvement, Middle Grades Network at University of Chicago
University of Chicago · Chicago, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Professional
- Office in Chicago
Department
UEI To&Through - Middle Grades Network
About the Department
The To&Through Project is one of five units at the Kersten Institute for Urban Education Institute that collectively work toward a shared mission of improving educational outcomes & promoting equity in schools & communities. At the To&Through Project, we believe that schools should be places where all students have access to equitable learning experiences and pathways from the middle grades through college graduation. We strive to create equitable education outcomes for Chicago Public Schools students by helping educators use data for inquiry and impact:
● Data: We analyze and share quantitative and qualitative data on the educational journeys of Chicago Public Schools students
● Inquiry: We work alongside education stakeholders from across the system to make meaning of data in ways that support and shift practice
● Impact: We help realize equitable learning experiences, pathways, and outcomes for CPS students from the middle grades through college graduation
The To&Through team is a small, close-knit group of analysts and practitioners who are deeply committed to make schools in Chicago more equitable for marginalized students. We strive to create a highly personable, collaborative, and reflective culture that encourages people to bring their whole selves to work. We try to live out our values (care for each other, practice anti-racism, have integrity, be creative and curious, and respect all forms of expertise) not only in the work we produce, but also in the rituals and routines that hold our team together: monthly equity team meetings, feedback sessions, book groups, retreats, coffee chats, and regular supervisor/supervisee feedback. For more information visit: https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/
Job Summary
The Manager of Coaching and Improvement (MCI) directly supports school partners via ongoing coaching as well as co-designs and facilitates professional learning for MGN partner schools and other education stakeholders aiming to redefine the middle grades experience. The MCI work will primarily focus on coaching partner school teams to increase Elementary On-Track rates through a meaningful increase in students' sense of belonging. This includes coaching schools around the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data; developing teaming and communication structures; supporting the design and implementation of changes to student experiences, implementing cycles of continuous improvement to refine practice, and supporting the MGN Student Fellowship. In addition, the MCI will help chart the next phase of the MGN work by partnering with the rest of the To&Through team, researchers, and partners to codify and disseminate best practices and strategies gleaned from the MGN work to drive middle grades success locally and nationally.
A successful candidate is someone who is deeply committed to educational equity, understands the importance of adolescent development and research to improve practice, and believes that data and research play a critical role in informing systemic change. They have experience working in K-12 schools or non-profits as a leader, teacher, coach, or counselor and are skilled at building educator capacity, with a foundational understanding of improvement science and adult learning. They are also adept at co-designing educational experiences with students based on and responsive to their needs. While a successful candidate possesses an entrepreneurial spirit, they also love working in a highly collaborative, small team environment and finding opportunities to learn from and laugh alongside their colleagues. The MCI will report directly to the Deputy Director of the To&Through Project.
For more information on the To&Through Middle Grades Network, visit https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/middle-grades-network-improvement-community
Categories for job responsibilities are as follows:
Coaching and Professional Learning - 70%
Collaboration + Partnerships - 15%
Knowledge Creation and Field Building - 15%
This is a grant funded position that will expire at the end of the grant term, if additional funding is not secured.
Responsibilities
Provide direct coaching to teams of educators and schools leaders around: the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data; defining problems of practice; developing effective teaming and communication structures; supporting the design and implementation of changes to student experiences; and implementing cycles of continuous improvement to refine practice
Co-design and facilitate adult learning for MGN partner schools grounded in a culture of trust, collaboration, and reflection. This includes regular network sessions and our annual three-day MGN Summer Institute each July/August.
Serve as the liaison for the MGN Student Fellows at their designated partner schools. This includes supporting/co-facilitating Student Fellowship sessions and serving as a chaperone for in-person events on campus.
Build and maintain positive relationships and regular communications with CPS educators, district staff, and other partners relevant to our work.
Plan, design, and facilitate middle grades related professional learning for non-MGN education stakeholders aligned to strategic priorities
Leverage research, data, and resources produced by the To&Through Data and Research (DART) and Storytelling and Engagement (SET) teams, as well as other units at the Kersten Institute for Urban Education, to inform network and practitioner learning
Work with the DART analysts to develop and design data tools to enable network practitioners to more easily pull, visualize, and understand data while engaging in cycles of continuous improvement
Provide a practice-based perspective to the DART team and the UChicago Consortium on current and future research and data projects
Contribute to communication vehicles designed to elevate the work of To&Through and MGN via newsletters, social media, blogs posts, etc.
Support the logistics and operations of To&Through public events including Data Collaboratives, Tool Workshops, Spotlights, and our bi-annual To&Through Summit
Contribute to the intellectual capacity and culture of the To&Through Project.
Contribute to the refinement of the MGN scope and sequence focused on network learning, data use, coaching, student-adult partnerships, and continuous improvement
Help codify tools and key learnings refined at MGN schools to share with Chicago Public Schools and the field aimed, at improving the middle grades experiences that support postsecondary success
Stay abreast of the latest trends, research, and best practices in the field to ensure ongoing relevance and identify opportunities to align to our work (i.e research on adolescent development & early warning indicators; best practices for student success from the middle grades through college completion, equity practices, continuous improvement, adult learning + development; etc.)
Attend and/or represent MGN at conferences and similar events to share learning and practices to improve the field, as needed
Under the direction of senior leadership, develops programs and relationships to advance program initiatives
Coordinates program initiatives, ensuring unity of focus and purpose
Perform other related work as needed
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree
Experience:
5-7 years related experience as a classroom teacher or working in educational settings serving historically underrepresented Black and Latine student populations; CPS
Experience and/or interest in working with young people to co-design design learning experiences that improve their educational outcomes
Preferred Competencies
Belief in the potential of all students and public schools, and the mission of The To&Through Project
A commitment to educational equity, particularly to improving outcomes for historically underrepresented Black and Latinx student populations from middle grades through college
Comfort collaborating with, facilitating, and coaching school-based practitioners and students
A passion for centering student voice and creating opportunities that allow them to authentically co-design their educational experiences
Comfort organizing and analyzing school- and district-level data for school improvement
Ability to interpret and present data and research to different audiences and in a manner that challenges mindsets and drives changes in practice
Ability to effectively build and manage relationships across difference
Experience with project management and influencing others to achieve outcomes
Commitment to ongoing self-reflection, professional learning, and growth
Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently, with supervision, or in collaboration as a team member
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
Proficiency in Google Suites and Microsoft Office
Working Conditions
Hybrid work schedule, on-site at the Hyde Park campus in Chicago (subject to change)
Regular attendance; problem solving, reasoning, and critical thinking skills; handling multiple concurrent tasks; some periods of high stress; constant interruptions with work environment; must assimilate and incorporate newly acquired information in a timely manner; relatively sedentary position; frequent keyboarding and reading on-screen and printed text; extended time working at a computer; regular travel in Chicago, Illinois, and occasional travel across the country to facilitate professional learning and attend conferences
Application Documents
Resume (required)
Cover Letter (required)
References (preferred)
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Role Impact
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Drug Test Required
Health Screen Required
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
Pay Rate Type
FLSA Status
Pay Range
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
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All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
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