Description:

The Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute Tier 1 (AAPI T1) is a semester-long series of professional learning sessions managed by the DPQ School Leader Pipeline Team in partnership with Teach Plus, aimed at providing information and guidance for those interested in learning about the assistant principal role and responsibilities and preparing high-potential aspiring assistant principals to activate their own potential and consider themselves as leaders while in their current school-based or district role (teacher, coach, counselor, case managers/social worker, etc.). In partnership with Teach Plus, this initiative has proven to be a crucial step in cultivating capable participants in the school leader pipeline who are on the journey towards school leadership. 

Tier 1 Focus: Leading Self and Activating your potential to lead others

• Building leadership profile

• Leveraging informal leadership to impact change

• Examining systems and practices of school leadership

Objective: Gain general understanding of the AP role; self-assess readiness for school leadership

Eligibility Criteria/ Prerequisites:

• at least 2 years previous teaching experience

• some previous teacher leader experience

• interest in obtaining Administrative Endorsement

• commitment to approximately 10 hours of virtual informational PD

Overall Commitment:

This program requires a one-semester commitment, totaling 8–10 hours (one 2-hour virtual session per month). To ensure a collaborative learning environment, active participation with cameras on is required for all sessions.

Program Duration:

4-5 sessions (over the course of one semester; choose one)

• Semester 1: September - December OR

• Semester 2: January - April

Time Commitment: 2 hours per month

NOTE: Prompt arrival to sessions and active engagement is required. Sessions will be held via Zoom from 4:30-6:30pm, and participants should be on camera.
If you cannot commit to the session times and norms, please do not apply at this time. 

Description:
The Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute Tier 2 (AAPI T2) is a year-long leadership development initiative managed by the DPQ School Leader Pipeline Team in partnership with Teach Plus. Designed specifically for high-potential leaders who have successfully completed Tier 1, this program strengthens the leadership bridge for teacher leaders, counselors, and staff on their journey toward the assistant principalship.
Tier 2 builds upon the foundational learning of Tier 1 by focusing on the complexities of adult team leadership within school-based or district roles. Additionally, AAPI provides participants the opportunity to complete the Illinois course and certification requirements to evaluate teachers (REACH), ensuring they are fully equipped for the transition into formal school administration.

Tier 2 Focus: Growing your leadership potential and Leading others

• Building leadership skills through coaching others

• Leading teams to influence change

• Understanding the systems and practices of school leadership

Objective: Work to be an Effective (Adult) Team Leader; Work on a School-Level Continuous Improvement Team and Complete a Self-Assessment of Readiness for School Leadership

Eligibility Criteria/ Prerequisites:

• successful completion of AAPI Tier 1 (within the last 3 years)

• possess an active Illinois State Board of Education PEL (Administrative Endorsement or Type 75 preferred, but not required)

• access to lead teacher teams in current role

• desire and commitment to become a CPS assistant principal within the next 2-3 years

• approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate

Overall Commitment: 

This program runs for the full school year (September–May) with a monthly 2-hour commitment, totaling 12–15 hours. Sessions are delivered in a hybrid format, including both virtual and in-person meetings. In-person sessions are held at the Garfield Park CPS Building (2651 W. Washington Blvd.). Before applying, please ensure you have reliable transportation and have factored the commute time into your schedule to ensure consistent, timely attendance. 

Program Duration: 6-8 sessions (over the course of the school year)

Time Commitment: 2 hours per month

NOTE: Prompt arrival to sessions and active engagement is required. In-person sessions will be held at the CPS Garfield Park office from 4:30-6:30pm. Virtual sessions will be held via Zoom from 4:30-6:30pm, and participants should be on camera.
If you cannot commit to these session times, locations, and norms, please do not apply at this time. 

Description:
The new Aspiring Leader Essentials (ALE) Series is a collection of standalone virtual professional development sessions managed by the DPQ School Leader Pipeline Team. ALE offers a flexible "menu" of learning opportunities aligned with the CPS School Leadership Framework—allowing aspiring leaders to target specific development needs without the commitment of a full-year program.

The ALE Approach

• Assessment First: Participants begin with the Self-Reflection Tool to evaluate their current leadership practices against the CPS School Leadership Framework.

• Targeted Selection: Based on their assessment, aspirants can self-select the specific session(s) that will most impact their growth as an aspiring school leader.

• Practical Application: Each session is designed to provide actionable insights that participants can implement immediately within their current roles as well as prepare them for their next role.

Objective To meet the unique development needs of aspiring leaders through high-impact, individual learning sessions.
Time Commitment: 60 to 120 minutes per virtual session.
Flexibility: No application required—simply sign up for the sessions that interest you!

Description:
The Chicago Leadership Collaborative (CLC) is a cornerstone of the district’s leadership pipeline, designed to recruit and develop talented educators through year-long immersive residency and development programs. By focusing on the CPS Principal Competencies, the CLC ensures that future leaders are proficient in all aspects of school administration.

CLC Pathway 1 (P1) serves as a foundational step for teacher leaders who are not yet in an endorsement or residency program. In Pathway 1, participants remain in their current school roles while building the essential skills and characteristics required for future school leadership. This pathway allows teacher leaders to assess their leadership readiness through rigorous professional learning and the completion of a School-Based Leadership Impact Project.

Participating CLC Pathway 1 Programs:

• Emerging Leaders (New Leaders)

• Aspire Fellowship (UIC & TFA)

Objective: Teacher leaders will gain understanding of, and experience in, transitioning from teacher leader to school-wide leader. Participants identify and nurture the essential knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics required for a successful transition through the aspiring leadership pipeline, into a leadership preparation program, and/or ultimately leading to leadership roles in CPS schools. 

Timeline to School Leader Role (after program): Anytime after 3-4 years of program completion

Eligibility Criteria/ Prerequisites:

• at least 3 years previous teaching experience

• some previous teacher leader experience

• access to lead teacher teams in current role

• review New Leaders - Emerging Leaders program description & materials

• approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate in yearlong program and impact change through leadership project

Overall Commitment: ~15-20 professional learning hours; plus 10 hours of 1:1 coaching (over the course of the school year Sept - May)

Program Duration: 7 professional learning sessions, and 7 coaching 1:1 sessions (over the course of the school year, September - May)

Time Commitment: 3-5 hours per month (including 1:1 coaching sessions)

Contact the DPQ Engagement Team (chthomas@cps.edu) for more information.

Description:
The Aspiring Assistant Principal Institute (AAPI) Tier 3 is an intensive, year-long residency-style experience for leaders ready to transition immediately into the assistant principalship. Managed by the DPQ School Leader Pipeline Team in partnership with Teach Plus, Tier 3 focuses on large-scale capacity building and instructional leadership.
Participants lead a School-Wide Change Project specifically designed to impact student achievement by developing the instructional practice of adult teams. This elite pathway includes monthly professional learning and 1:1 leadership coaching. To be considered for this small cohort, applicants must undergo a rigorous selection process, including an interview, to demonstrate they exemplify the leadership readiness and passion required to move into an AP role upon program completion.

Tier 3 Focus: Strengthening your leadership impact & Leading change

• Building leadership skills through implementing change to increase school improvement

• Applying distributive leadership practices 

• Utilize systems and practices of school leadership

Objective: Plan, implement, and progress monitor an equitable and transformative response to a problem of practice to institute change in their school community through a change project; Initiate and execute adult learning experiences, and leverage their leadership identity to influence school-wide decision making through distributive leadership opportunities to be AP ready after program completion

Eligibility Criteria/ Prerequisites

• at least 2 years team leadership experience

• at least 4 years previous teaching experience

• possess an active Illinois State Board of Education PEL AND Administrative Endorsement (or Type 75 equivalent)

• possess ISBE certification to evaluate teachers (REACH) *must be complete before the start of the Tier 3 program

• current leader of adult teams and active membership on a school-level leadership team (like ILT)

• desire and commitment to become a CPS assistant principal upon completion of the AAPI Tier 3 program

• approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate in yearlong program and impact change through leadership project

Overall Commitment: Requires a monthly time commitment of 4-6 hours (totaling 25+ PD hours; plus 10+ hours of 1:1 coaching from experienced former school leader (over the course of the school year, September - May)

Potential PD Sessions/Offerings:

• AAPI Orientation and Framing, Expectations, AP Panel and Resume Review

• Systems Thinking & Backwards Planning Problem Solving 

• Vision/Goal Setting & Action Planning for Cycles of Inquiry

• Coaching for Capacity & Leading Adult Learning

• Planning for Resistance, Crucial Conversations & Common Team Dysfunctions 

• Stakeholder & Community Engagement

• Progress Monitoring & Implementation Challenges

• Unconscious Bias, “Culture of Nice,” & Culturally Responsive Leadership (Equity in Education & Coaching Teachers)

• Strategic Planning and Resource Allocations/Budget

• AP Panel: 1st Year Reflection

• Sustaining & Systematizing Change through Distributed Leadership

• Impact/Change Effort Showcase

Program Duration: 10+ sessions (over the course of the school year)

Time Commitment: 4-6 hours per month (including 1:1 coaching sessions); leading additional team meetings monthly is also expected

Description:

In partnership with our preparation programs, CLC Pathway 2 offers an opportunity for aspiring school leaders to prepare for their future roles through a structured curriculum, in-role stretch assignments, and opportunities to observe, participate, and demonstrate leadership skills while fulfilling the ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) internship program or administrator endorsement requirements.

CLC Pathway 2 provides leadership development and Domain-aligned professional learning that provides preparation for a school leader role, supported by coaching and in-role stretch assignments, opportunities to observe, participate and demonstrate leadership while completing the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) internship program or administrator endorsement requirements. The CLC is a major component of the district’s school leader preparation pipeline designed to recruit, develop, and support talented educators pursuing leadership in Chicago’s public schools, through yearlong development programming or an immersive residency leadership experience and exposure to all aspects of leading a school. Participants learn all aspects of school leadership, with a focus on developing proficiency in the CPS Principal Competencies.

Objective: In Pathway 2, aspiring leaders stay in their current schools and receive coaching as they complete requirements for obtaining their ISBE administrative endorsement.

Timeline to school leader role (after program): Immediate to 2 years following program completion; Ready for Assistant Principal or Resident Principal 

PLEASE BE ADVISED there are necessary pre-requisites to applying for CLC P2. If you do not meet ALL of the following minimum qualifications, please do not apply at this time:

Eligibility Criteria/ Prerequisites:

• active CPS employee with at least 4 years teaching experience

• possess an active Illinois State Board of Education PEL AND Administrative Endorsement (or pursuing)*
  * If you are not yet pursuing an endorsement, you may still participate in this pathway if you apply and are selected for the endorsement program through either National Louis University or University of Illinois

• access to lead teacher teams in current school-based role 

• desire and commitment to become a CPS assistant principal within the next 2-3 years

• approval of current principal (supervisor) to participate

Overall Commitment: ~25 professional learning hours; plus 20 hours of 1:1 coaching (over the course of the school year)

Program Components:

• Application of learned leadership skills in real-world situations

• Foster growth and development through practical experience

• Opportunities for participants to observe experienced school leaders in action

• Reflection and discussion on observed leadership practices

• Opportunities for participants to actively engage in leadership roles

• Collaboration and teamwork in leadership projects

• Guidance and support throughout the participatory experiences

• Provide feedback and coaching to enhance leadership effectiveness

• Alignment with ISBE internship program and administrator endorsement requirements

Program Duration: (over the course of the full school year)

• 6-8 professional learning sessions and 

• 6-8 coaching 1:1 sessions 

• 3-4 triad meetings with participant, principal, and coach 

Time Commitment: 4-6 hours per month (including 1:1 coaching sessions)

Description:
The Chicago Leadership Collaborative (CLC) Principal Residency is a cornerstone of the district’s leadership pipeline, dedicated to recruiting, developing, and supporting high-caliber educators for school leadership roles. Through a combination of year-long development programming and immersive residency experiences, the CLC P3 provides participants with deep exposure to every facet of school administration.

Central to the CLC experience is a focus on mastering the CPS Framework for School Leaders through the lens of a principal. In partnership with approved preparation programs, the CLC offers pathways to advanced educational degrees (if desired) and provides intensive coaching throughout the residency year to ensure participants are fully prepared to lead, (within a salaried administrative school leader position).

Objective: CLC Pathway 3 provides a rigorous, year-long leadership practice experience that engages highly experienced and near-ready aspiring principals in authentic, real-time experiences designed to accelerate the participant’s exposure to learning opportunities essential to the role of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) principal.

Timeline to school leader role (after program): Immediately following program completion; Ready for Principal 

PLEASE BE ADVISED there are necessary pre-requisites to applying for the CLC P3 Principal Residency. If you do not meet ALL of the following minimum qualifications, please do not apply at this time:

Eligibility Criteria/ Prerequisites:

• 5+ years teaching/in-school experience 

• 2+ years Assistant Principal or district leader experience preferred (non-principal)
  at least 2 years experience leading teams/others in a District- and/or school-level capacity (including, but not limited to: Instructional Support Leader, MTSS Coordinator, Lead Coach, Assistant Principal, or similar role)

• 2+ years leading at least one teacher team to impact school goals 

• IL Principal endorsement preferred or earned by end of program 

• Possess an active ISBE PEL (Professional Educator License) or Educator License with Stipulations (out of state) required 

• possess an Administrative Endorsement (or Type 75) *Must be obtained before the end of the residency program

• possess a certification to evaluate teachers (REACH) *Must be obtained before the start of the residency program

• desire and commitment to become a CPS principal upon completion of the residency program

• enrollment in, or selection of, one of the three partner programs (National Louis University, New Leaders, University of Illinois Chicago)

Overall Commitment:

• 52-week; full time employee- administrator’s schedule

• Program commitments vary (National Louis, New Leaders, UIC) 

• DPQ provides 10+ district-related workshops throughout the year; typically within the work day. 

• Full time commitment to immersive experience in principal residency program - relocate to administrative leadership position in a new CPS school placement aligned to your needs.

• Active engagement in coursework with the program of choice, leveraging opportunities both in the Residency and program to take on challenges, stretch, and learn. Full engagement in the 360-degree style of the school leadership residency may include extended hours, evening/morning meetings, and weekend events.

• Attendance at all scheduled Residency, Program, and school based experiences to ensure maximum exposure and learning. 

Program Components:

• Yearlong programming focused on developing essential leadership skills and competencies

• Immersive residency experience providing hands-on exposure to various aspects of school leadership

• Emphasis on developing proficiency in the Framework for School Leaders 

• Collaboration with approved principal preparation programs to support participants

• Leadership coaching throughout the residency year

• Coverage of all aspects of school leadership, including instructional leadership, organizational management, and community engagement

• Blend of theoretical learning and practical application opportunities

• Tailored content to address the unique challenges and opportunities in Chicago's public schools

• Ongoing guidance and mentoring from experienced school leaders and coaches

• Networking opportunities with fellow aspiring leaders and education professionals

Program Duration: One full school year (July - June)