TLC Teacher Leader Roles
TLC operates four formalized roles, each offering unique opportunities for teachers to extend their impact without leaving the classroom. All TLC teacher leaders are required to participate in district-provided professional development provided by the Office of Teaching and Learning.
Resident Mentor
Provides 1:1 peer mentoring support to one or more pre-service resident teachers
School-Based New Teacher Mentor
Provides 1:1 peer mentoring support to one or more teachers new to the district.
Instructional Team Coach
Provides 1:1 instructional coaching and leads one or more grade/content area team through learning cycles
Has a model classroom for the school
Advances the work of the ILT
Lead Coach
Provides leadership coaching to leaders of learning cycles
Leads learning cycles and provides instructional coaching to team members
Leads or co-leads the ILT
Read Highlights from Teachers in these Roles
Guidance Documents
Explore various resources such as the About TLC one-pager, HR handbook, attendance policy, and TLC data dashboard.
About TLC One-Pager
A one-page summary featuring quick facts about Teachers Lead Chicago and our roles.
HR Handbook
Provides stakeholders with a clear set of parameters, expectations, and supports to ensure equity and transparency in role access and implementation.
Attendance Policy
Outlines the attendance expectations and reporting policies for each TLC teacher leader role.
See how CPS teacher leaders are transforming their schools
Teachers Lead Chicago is supporting and elevating educators across hundreds of CPS schools. From mentoring new teachers to leading grade-level teams, teacher leaders are helping drive stronger instruction, school culture, and student outcomes.
Explore the Case Study
Learn more about the program’s impact and hear directly from educators in formal leadership roles.
Hear from teachers and school leaders at Von Linne Elementary as they share how this work is shaping their careers and their classrooms.
TLC By the Numbers
Based on findings from the SY2024-25 Teacher Leader Survey and teacher retention data, we can see a positive impact in teacher and school success.
Teacher Retention
*Lead Coach is intended to be a pathway into school leadership
100%
of school leaders report school climate, collaboration, and empowerment is improving due to teacher leader support
99%
of school leaders report student growth and achievement is improving due to teacher leader support
99%
of school leaders report teacher effectiveness is improving due to teacher leader support
Source: SY2024-25 Teacher Leader Survey, CPS Talent Office
