About Turnaround Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has successfully used the turnaround strategy with two historically struggling schools, Sherman and Harvard elementary schools. The turnaround approach has driven an entirely new culture and climate to schools, with higher expectations for academic performance. These schools are managed for CPS by the Academy of Urban School Leadership (AUSL).
In 2008, AUSL and CPS' Office of School Turnaround began a partnership to replicate that success in two high-poverty neighborhoods. CPS began the work of ensuring that pre-K through 12th grade students in chronically underperforming schools are surrounded with opportunities to succeed.
Teach Chicago Turnarounds calls on Chicago’s most talented educators to put their skills and experience to use for students who need great teachers most. Teach Chicago Turnarounds is a recruitment initiative that matches high-caliber teachers with positions in historically low-performing schools. In the turnaround model, the school has a new team; every position in the school is opened up to be newly staffed with teachers specifically selected to meet the turnaround challenge. Starting over with new leaders, new faculty and a new vision, the Turnaround Schools offer accomplished veteran teachers and passionate novices an opportunity to take the next steps in their careers while providing students with the tools they need to learn and grow in the classroom.
Knowing that every teacher brings a unique skill set to the classroom, Teach Chicago Turnarounds aims to facilitate strong matches between teachers and schools. Talented teachers are needed in all grade levels and subject areas, particularly in math, science, special education and bilingual education. Following a smooth and efficient hiring process, all Turnaround teachers will receive a regular Chicago Public Schools salary and benefits, a greater voice in shaping the culture of the school, a range of professional development options, and the opportunity to be part of a dynamic instructional team. Help reverse a history of failure:
Change schools. Change lives. Teach Chicago Turnarounds.
