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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 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.  In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Five core principles are embedded within these commitments – high quality, rigorous instruction, talented and empowered educators, safety and support, financial stability and collective impact.

This is a high school teaching position in Game Programming, which is a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.  Game Programming offers a series of prescribed courses for grades 10-12 that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the Information Technology industry.  Game Programming will deliver industry-based instruction that develops student competencies leading to post-secondary education and employment. Students explore the essentials of information technology with varied emphases in networking, database development cloud management, web development, and programming.  Students may be eligible to obtain certifications, internships and dual college credit through participation Game Programming.

CTE teachers are responsible to:

• Provide rigorous and relevant instruction on pre-approved hands-on curriculum in the content area and general workplace readiness.

• Integrate soft-skill instruction into competency-based content area activities.

• Support students in industry relevant competitions, industry exploration activities, professional organizations and post-secondary initiatives.  

• Show evidence of project-based learning (e.g., competitions, capstone events, etc.)

• Collaborate with core content teachers on common course planning, integration and alignment.

• Collaborate with school-based staff (college and career coach, counselor, etc.) and CTE Partnership Development Liaisons and Program Coordinators to identify and recommend work-ready students.

• Attend all relevant professional development set by the Department of College and Career Preparation in order to provide the best educational experience possible for students.  Examples include:

  • Quarterly industry-focused PD sessions.

  • Industry advisory council meetings.

  • Instructional PD sessions.

  • Summer Institute sessions.

  • New teacher supports (e.g., New Teacher Center PD, CTE teacher coaching)

• Maintain and update industry certifications as required by Illinois State Board of Education and Chicago Public Schools.

• Attend CPS CTE professional development sessions if working under an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Educator License with Stipulations/Career and Technical Education (ELS(CTE)) or a newly hired teacher.

QUALIFICATIONS-

REQUIRED (non-negotiable):

• Eligible to receive an ISBE Professional Education License (PEL) in Business, Marketing, and Computer Education/Computer Programming with coursework in Computer Programming (certificate must be in place prior to teaching), or

• Eligible to receive an ISBE Educator License with Stipulations in Computer Programming ( CPS/CTE will assist with securing the certificate and certificate must be in place prior to teaching)

• Minimum Associate ’ s Degree in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or Related Field from an accredited college or university

• Minimum 4,000 hours (2 years full-time) of paid industry experience from the past 5 years

• MOS Certification or must be obtained within 12 months from date of hire.

• Photoshop Certification or must be obtained within 12 months from date of hire.

PREFERRED

• College Degree consistent with offering dual credit for post-secondary coursework to high school students

• Additional experience working in Information Technology in at least one or more of the following fields:

  • Software development or engineering,

  • Networking

  • Database development

  • Web development

• Computer literacy and excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites 2007 or higher and knowledge of competitive equivalents.

• Experience or training in various web development tools

• Prior teaching experience, specifically project-based learning, student-centered approach

• Excellent planning, organization, written and verbal communication skills

• High-level problem solving skills

• Team and detail oriented