Curriculum Designer, Spanish Language Arts

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. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Digital Learning is implementing the Curriculum Equity Initiative : a comprehensive support system for teachers with a modern, digital curriculum at its core. Once implemented, this digital curriculum will provide CPS students and teachers with access to high-quality, engaging, and culturally-responsive learning materials.

Job Summary :

Under the direction of the Manager of Digital Curriculum, the Curriculum Designer will work collaboratively with stakeholders, including subject matter experts (SMEs) and contracted partners, to inform the initial development of the curriculum and continuous improvement of the curriculum thereafter. This position will utilize a strong background in Spanish Language Arts (SLA) and a deep knowledge of academic standards in their focus on the development of SLA Curriculum. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Curriculum Designer will be held accountable for the following responsibilities :

Collaborate effectively and extensively with internal and external partners, including content and specialty teams across CPS’ Academic Offices, to ensure Chicago’s curriculum is developed in accordance with all articulated quality standards.

Oversee the review / feedback process for the SLA Curriculum, including coordination of teacher review teams, consensus building, conflict resolution, planning, and decision-making.

Coordinate the development and distribution of formal curriculum development and evaluation guidance, including the SLA Rubric.

Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in the design and continuous improvement of the curriculum.

Train stakeholders on the curriculum evaluation processes and utilization of rubrics and other guidance / evaluative tools.

Effectively engage with stakeholders to prioritize and communicate feedback to external partners for curriculum updates / revisions.

Advise the teams supporting systems integration and UX to ensure a seamless, useful experience for teachers, students, and parents.

Ensure contractual partners accurately customize the SLA curriculum and effectively integrate SLA themes, inquiry skills, and an interdisciplinary approach to instruction.

Model the routine, intentional and effective use of technology in daily work, including communications, organization and management tasks.

Keep abreast of the current trends and best practices in pedagogy with digital curriculum and represent the district as an expert on these and other (related) topics.

Manage multiple projects / sub-projects concurrently; monitor activity, progress, and time-related to project development requirements.

Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Curriculum Designer must possess the following qualifications :

Education Required :

Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish or Education (with Bilingual Endorsement) from an accredited college or university

Master’s degree preferred.

Valid teaching certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (or reciprocal license) with Bilingual Endorsement is required

Experience Required :

Minimum of five (5) years of professional instructional experience in K-12 Education, including the following, is required :

Experience in curriculum design / development (writing).

Experience with Spanish Language Arts curriculum

Experience working with educational technology, digital media, and / or the effective integration of technology in instruction.

Experience collaborating with culturally and educationally-diverse teams.

Experience in a large urban setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is required

Deep knowledge and background in Spanish Language Arts and academic standards

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish and English

Ability to lead and effectively communicate with development teams to focus effort and resources toward the achievement of expected results.

Strong project management and problem-solving skills / strategies

Deep knowledge of equity issues in education and a deep commitment to providing access to high-quality digital curriculum for all students.

Strong knowledge of :

ELA Common Core Standards

SLA Standards

WIDA ELD Standards

Understanding by Design principles for curriculum design

Universal Design for Learning principles for instructional design

MTSS and SEL best practices

High levels of instructional expertise, integrity, honesty, and credibility

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to :

Establish / Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary / part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.