Director of Professional Learning

Position / Title: Director of Professional Learning

Bargaining Unit: ADM Department/Location: Teaching & Learning

Calendar Days: 260 Reports To: Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning

JD Revision Date: 01/24/2024 Supervises: Lead Instructional Coach, Teacher Leader of Learning Design, Teacher Leader for TAP/PAR, Teacher Leader for TMP

Function / Position Summary

Leads all aspects of professional learning and instructional coaching system-wide.Collaborates with district and site-leadership to ensure that U-46 retains, develops, and recognizes a high quality and diverse workforce that can manage ongoing change successfully while meeting the diverse needs of students, parents, and the community. Advises the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning regarding current and future professional development and coaching needs. Provides leadership for professional development of employees relating to human talent development.

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Provide direct oversight for professional development, planning and execution related to district priorities and moral imperative in alignment or as specified within U-46 Rising and the Instructional Clarity Framework.
• Observes and monitors progress on the effectiveness of professional learning, providing reports and recommendations to Cabinet members and/or the Board of Education as requested.
• Leads the planning and development of the district-wide professional learning plan, ensuring alignment and cohesion across schools, teams, departments, and networks.
• Develops and leads a team to plan and implement New Teacher Orientation (NTO) and NTO Extension.
• Collaborates with departments to ensure all first- and second-year teachers are matched with an instructional coach and that all Peer Assistance Review requests are matched appropriately.
• Works between and among departments to ensure that professional learning is in alignment with our instructional priorities.
• Primary conduit between site and district with regard to questions and challenges related to professional development.
• Provides oversight and coordination of professional development compliance within our learning management system and the Elgin Agreement specified in the Professional Credit Tracking System.
• Creates and supports the implementation of the district-wide professional development/training calendar in alignment with District Initiatives and Priorities.
• Lead the development and implementation of all coaching strategies in alignment with District Initiatives and Priorities.
• Provides direction and leadership for instructional coaching support, system-wide, including the on-boarding and continuous development of all instructional coaches.
• Works directly with district and site-based administrators to monitor the effectiveness of coaching supports.
• Makes recommendations for enhancements to coaching strategy based on qualitative and qualitative data.
• Responsible for the supervision and appraisal of certified staff.
• Directs the development and/or coordination of programs and policies.
• Responsible for staying abreast of current research and best practices in professional development and instructional coaching models.

Advises the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning on the formulation and implementation of Professional Development Initiatives, policies, programs and procedures.

• Explores and initiates innovative solutions to organizational, fiscal and management problems.
• Prepares and administers the departmental budget and ensures efficient and effective use of fiscal material and human resources to accomplish department goals and objectives.
• Participates in interdepartmental teams to address complex district issues. Creates and maintains a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement among assigned staff
• Prepares and maintains a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned activities, including monthly reports as appropriate.
• Maintains and enhances professional learning communication via multiple modalities, both internally and externally
• Serves on various district-wide oversight committees that impact teacher effectiveness

Qualifications

Education

• At least 10 years of successful teaching or administrative experience, preferably in U-46.
• Evidence of work in each of the areas outlined in the essential functions.
• Professional Educator License (PEL) with General Administrative or Principal endorsement.
• Performance Evaluation Qualifications (Teacher) required.
• Extensive knowledge of the Canvas Learning Management System.

Experience / Knowledge

• Experience leading and coordinating district wide professional learning for multiple employee groups in a large school district.
• Ability to maintain high expectations for the work performed by teachers, administrators, and colleagues.
• Ability to multi-task and demonstrate excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to show professionalism, including integrity, ethics, and confidentiality.
• Ability to establish a cooperative working relationship with administrators and teachers.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with technology and computer programs/usage.
• Ability to design programs, lead training workshops, manage budgets, and prepare reports.
• Ability to successfully facilitate committee work and meetings.
• Ability to problem solve when confronted with complex challenges.

Salary/Benefits

The salary range for this position is $118,483.00 - $177,725.00. Our typical practice is to hire in between the minimum and midpoint $148,104.00.