Explore various resources such as LinkedIn Learning, External Partnerships and Programs, and Self-Paced Professional Learning.
Teacher Leader Responsibilities Crosswalk
Role: Teachers
This resource describes the teacher leader role, the core responsibilities of the role, and the criteria for earning stipend compensation, if applicable. There are five (5) teacher leadership opportunities on the Teachers Lead Chicago career pathway.
The five teacher leader roles are:
Teacher Leader Responsibilities Crosswalk document differentiates the responsibilities of each of the teacher leader roles.
At-A-Glance: Team Lead
Role: Teachers
The Team Lead supports schools in impacting the instructional core through instructional development, change management, and school-level continuous improvement to drive success for all students. The Team Lead will plan and take the steps necessary to continually improve and expand the instructional core within their school, thereby enriching the lives of more students in Chicago Public Schools.
At-A-Glance: Team Director
Role: Teachers
A Team Director is a partially released teacher leader who leads a team(s) of teachers through learning cycles and provides connective coaching to members of their team(s).
At-A-Glance: Lead Coach
Role: Teachers
A Lead Coach is a school-based teacher position with 80%-100% released time to provide coaching and support to teachers within that school community in support of the local instructional areas of need. While the detailed responsibilities of a Lead Coach will vary from school to school, the primary objective of the Lead Coach role is to build the capacity of peers to improve practice and student outcomes.
CPS Coaching Handbook
Role: Teachers School Leaders
This handbook was created in collaboration with many school leaders and teacher leaders over the course of 3 years, and is a collection of resources intended to assist anyone in CPS who is in a position to provide coaching to their colleagues.
It is not meant to be a definitive training for how to coach, but a collection of concepts, practices, and tools that represent a coherent vision of an approach to coaching that empowers the recipients of coaching support in impactful, capacity-building ways.
Teachers Lead Chicago SY25 Handbook: HR & Management Policies
Role: Teachers School Leaders
This handbook provides principals, teachers, teacher leaders, and Central Off program administrators with a clear set of parameters, expectations, and supports to ensure equity and transparency in role access, implementation, and support for schools implementing Teachers Lead Chicago (TLC) teacher leader roles.
Self Development through LinkedIn Learning
Role: Central & Network Offices
LinkedIn Learning is a premier online learning provider offering thousands of free video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative, and business skills. CPS Central Office and Network Employees have free access to the platform.
What would you like to learn today? Whether you want to brush up on your project management skills, prepare for a presentation, learn how to engage your teams, update your resume, or sharpen your interviewing skills, LinkedIn Learning can help you get there.
- Tier 1: Developing Yourself at Work
- Tier 2: Foundations for a New Leader
- Tier 1-3: Improving Leadership Presence
Need a hand? Send us an email at leadwithcps@cps.edu we can consult with you to build a playlist customized for your development or to help you play an active role in developing your employees’ leadership.
External Partnerships & Programs
Role: Central & Network Offices
While we are proud of our new and expanded investments in professional development offered through CPS, we also have long-standing partnerships with leading external institutions to help grow your professional skillsets and connections. These programs have recently expanded eligibility, making it easier to participate. Plus, staff can apply for sponsorships to fund your participation.
Explore these programs below to find a great fit for you.
CPS Program Partners Include:
- Bonfire for Women in Leadership
- Civic Leadership Academy hosted by the University of Chicago
- Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)
- IMPACT hosted by the Chicago Urban League
- Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) for Senior Leadership
- Surge Institute developing leaders of Color
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are available, but to be considered for funding, your sponsorship request must be received internally before your external application is submitted.
Questions?
Send us an email at leadwithcps@cps.edu
Self-Paced Resources
Role: Teachers School Leaders Central & Network Offices
Book Reads
Included below are additional resources to explore and access at your own pace. Shopping for a great leadership book or wondering what CPS’ top leaders are reading?
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey.
- Emotional Intelligence. Why It Can Matter than IQ by Daniel Goleman.
- StandOut 2.0: Assess Your Strengths, Find Your Edge, Win at Work by Marcus Buckingham.
Visit our Book Recommendations every month to see what’s new!
Free Self-Assessments
Various online assessments are available to staff for free. To better understand yourself, your strengths, and your skills, take more than one and compare results.
- Motivational Assessment of Personal Potential (Skills & Abilities)
- Find Your Ideal Career (Career Planning)
- MBTI (Personality)
Explore Additional Opportunities
Find programs, fellowships, mentorships, and more.
Explore Additional Opportunities
Find programs, fellowships, mentorships, and more.
Contact Us
Lead With CPS
773-553-1000
LeadwithCPS@cps.edu
Chicago Public Schools
42 W. Madison St, 14th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602