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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 40,000 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. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning

The Department of Arts Education (DAE) champions high-quality arts education by providing arts learning opportunities for students, strengthening teacher and administrator capacity, and promoting policies that expand equitable access to the arts for all students.

The CPS Department of Arts Education and Wells Community Academy High School partner to present RE:ALIZE, the premier early college arts program in Chicago. Drawing Juniors and Seniors without robust arts access at their home schools to Columbia College Chicago and the Wells campus, RE:ALIZE provides a two-year sequence of standards-based, culturally relevant, rigorous coursework and currently offers pathways in Theatre or Visual Arts. In addition to completing 12 college credits in their artistic discipline through Dual Enrollment courses, RE:ALIZE students will participate in weekly workshops facilitated by a Teaching Artist, and complete work-based learning opportunities within their field. Each student graduates as an artistically-minded, analytical lifelong learner whose RE:ALIZE experience culminates in the presentation of a Senior Portfolio.

Job Summary: 

RE:ALIZE program Assistant Teaching Artists will support program Teaching Artists focused in either theatre arts or visual arts with the facilitation of weekly workshops, supervision of workshop spaces, and completion of program-related tasks. This part-time/temporary position will be compensated for time worked on an hourly basis. The work schedule for this role will consist of an estimated 9-15 hours per week for an anticipated period beginning in July 2024 and ending in June 2025. Due to the part-time/temporary nature of this work, this is not a benefit-eligible position. This role will report to the RE:ALIZE Program Manager.

The part-time/temporary RE:ALIZE Assistant Teaching Artist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Assist the Teaching Artists with managing weekly workshops, including setting up and breaking down workshops, providing students with direct support, and other tasks
• Ensure workshop materials are prepped daily, organized in the classroom and easily accessible
• Supervise workshop spaces while students complete independent projects in order to support student-specific projects, safety, and adherence to general school expectations
• Provide support to students during workshops while fostering positive relationships, and modeling community-minded behaviors with students
• Communicate effectively with students and other staff members 
• Supervise students during transitions between workshop spaces with respect to the security and safety protocols of Wells H.S
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, workshop activities, and documentation of incident and/or accident reports, as needed
• Provide soft technical support for workshop technology and assist students with digital tools, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the part-time/temporary RE:ALIZE Assistant Teaching Artist must possess the following qualifications: 

Education Required: 

• High school diploma or GED equivalent and active enrollment in Junior or Senior year of an undergraduate degree program in Education or an Arts-related field from an accredited college or university, required. 
• Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Education or an Arts-related field from an accredited college or university will also be considered

Experience Required: 

• Minimum of one (1) year of professional experience, including the following, is required:
• • Experience in a position involving customer service, relationship management, and entry-level administrative duties is required. 
  • Experience working within student programming, whether through after-school or summer programs
  • Professional-level internships in an arts or education-related field may be considered

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Capable of consistently demonstrating a professional and positive demeanor while ensuring confidentiality in matters related to both students and the RE:ALIZE program.
• Background knowledge in theatre or visual arts, or a connected interdisciplinary art
• An unwavering belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
• Strong communication skills (speaking, listening, and writing), including prompt communication with program administrators
• Strong team-building skills, including the ability to lead a group of students in the completion of assignments and projects
• Capable of leading, working and interacting with high school-aged students
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to multitask, and maintain focus on multiple, concurrent priorities
• Basic technical skills, including the ability to use a computer and assist with basic technical troubleshooting 
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred 

Program Timeline Working Hours:

Training:Teaching Artist Supports can anticipate training beginning mid August 2024. Additional details will be provided.

During the CPS School year (according to CPS calendar):  9-15 hours of onsite responsibilities per week, as described below.

The RE:ALIZE program will run Monday - Friday at Wells Community Academy (according to the CPS school year calendar) for two hours each afternoon (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm). The Assistant Teaching Artists will be scheduled to work between 9-15 hours per week onsite at Wells to support the needs of the Teaching Artist and student cohorts during program hours.

• Weekly program support schedules may include the following:
• • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm twice per week (depending on workshop assignment and Columbia College’s class schedule)
  • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm on Fridays to assist with workshop facilitation, support the completion of challenging Columbia College assignments, provide mentorship, and/or supervise guest lecturers or field trips for RE:ALIZE students, dependent upon need.
• An additional 1-6 hours of work time per week may be scheduled to support the preparation of materials, act as a substitute for another Assistant Teaching Artist, prepare for performances and exhibitions, and supervise field trip. Scheduling of this time will be determined in collaboration with the Teaching Artist and Program Manager. 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to frequently move/transport supplies, boxes, or other objects weighing up to 25 lbs between office locations for various needs.

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.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. “Up-to-date” on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.