The Instructional Support Leader (ISL) will support the Executive Director of Options Schools instructional development / change management and school-level continuous improvement to drive academic achievement for all students. Specific content expertise and requirements for the ISL will vary based upon the needs of the schools in the network but it is expected that all ISLs will be instructional experts with proven content expertise in at least one core subject (eg, Literacy, Mathematics, Science) and/or with priority student groups (eg, Diverse Learners, English Language Learners). The preferred area of content expertise for this position is Literacy.

The following describes the role and responsibilities for an Instructional Support Leader:

• Under direction and guidance of the Executive Director , implement aschool strategic action plan and continuous improvement strategies to drive academic improvement in a portfolio of schools by working with classroom teachers, school-based Instructional Leadership Teams, and school administrators.

• Build day to day instructional capacity of classroom teachers and school administrators in a portfolio of schools to deliver core district and network priorities. These priorities currently include (but are not limited to): implementation of Common Core State Standards, implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports, implementation of the Framework for Teaching and College and Career Readiness.

• Provide differentiated instructional support by working directly with administrators, teachers leaders and teachers in the classroom, as appropriate, to model effective, research-based instructional practices, by working collaboratively with teacher teams to drive data-informed instructional planning, and by working with school-based leadership teams to actualize CCSS implementation at the classroom level.

• Consult and collaborate with Principals, Assistant Principals, school-based Instructional Leadership Teams, and fellow Network staff as needed to develop data-informed strategies to support development and implementation of CIWP. These strategies include (but are not limited to): curriculum development, professional development plans, direct support to classroom teachers, student outcome progress monitoring, and student intervention plans.

• Design and lead professional development around Common Core implementation in ELA and Social Science content areas for network teacher leaders and network administrators;

In order to be successful, the Instructional Support Leader must possess the following:

• A minimum of 5 years of classroom teaching experience

A minimum of 3 years of experience working with adult learners, including coaching, and designing and facilitating professional development to classroom teachers and school leaders

• Ability to use multiple data sources to set measurable goals and strategically plan to complete the goals

• Ability to define problems, analyze data and develop action plans as part of a continuous improvement cycle

• Excellent communication skills: writing, speaking and listening

• Endorsement in special education,and/or literacy, strongly preferred

• Experience with curriculum mapping, unit planning, and formative progress monitoring

• Knowledge of research-based school improvement models and strategies

• Experience and knowledge of RtI / MTSS

Type of Education Required: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or Educational Leadership preferred.

Certification: Type 75 Certificate issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (or equivalent certificate from outside Illinois), preferred. Valid standard teaching certificate (Type 03, Type 09, or Type 10) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education with appropriate grade level and content level endorsements (Reading, Language Artsor Special Education).Additional certifications, experience, and expertise may be required.