Christopher Hammond
Chicago,Illinois
Summary
Accomplished education leader with a track record of driving progress and achieving positive outcomes for administrators, teachers, and students district-wide. Strong foundation in team building, strategic planning, marketing, recruitment, and execution for growth and expansion. Trusted member of CPS leadership teams, making significant contributions. Exceptional communication skills and interpersonal relations foster meaningful engagement with the community and stakeholders. Extensive expertise in career and college education, understanding the profound impact on shaping district students' trajectory.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Career Connected Pathway Specialist
Chicago Public Schools
09.2023 - Current
- Act as the primary school point-person for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, bridging communication between school staff, the central office, area teams, and the community (parents, external partners, etc.).
- Ensure school-based staff and community members are well informed about CTE opportunities, resources, and requirements.
- Develop and manage career readiness strategies by coordinating work-based learning (WBL) experiences and supporting students in obtaining advanced coursework, certifications, and early college credits.
- Collaborate with school counselors, teachers, and leadership to ensure that students are on track with career pathway goals and requirements.
- Lead the development and implementation of strategies for marketing and student recruitment into CTE pathways, leveraging resources from the central office and working with school-based staff.
- Organize and promote events such as career fairs, capstones, and other career pathway experiences to engage students and community partners.
- Collect, analyze, and use student data to monitor and evaluate the performance of CTE programs and work-based learning outcomes.
- Recommend program improvements based on data analysis to ensure alignment with CPS vision and the indicators of high-quality CTE.
- Monitor and manage CTE-related budgets, ensuring funds are appropriately allocated and expended in a timely manner to support instruction and program delivery.
- Collaborate with school business operations administrators to ensure accurate budget tracking and purchasing processes.
- Identify and address CTE and Early College teacher needs, such as proposing professional development topics and supporting teacher recruitment efforts.
- Serve as a liaison for disseminating CPS policies and procedures to teachers and ensuring compliance.
- Foster collaboration with external partners such as businesses, post-secondary institutions, and community-based organizations to enhance career pathways for students.
- Identify mutual benefits and opportunities for students to engage in internships, apprenticeships, and other WBL experiences.
- Provide operational support to ensure the CTE program meets performance indicators and strategic goals.
- Lead or assist with large-scale projects, including capstones and college and career fairs, and support program evaluation to ensure continuous improvement.
Early College and Career Network Manager
Chicago Public Schools
07.2019 - 09.2023
- Set the strategic vision for youth services in Chicago, overseeing the development and execution of large-scale youth initiatives that provide equitable opportunities for underserved communities.
- Managed a $2 million budget for Chicago Public Schools' Network 17, ensuring strategic allocation of funds to support youth workforce development, career pathways, and mentoring initiatives.
- Provided leadership and strategic guidance to administrators, school principals, and faculty, ensuring alignment of youth programs with educational and workforce development goals.
- Led the expansion of work-based learning and career readiness initiatives, collaborating with school district leadership, educators, and industry partners to enhance student outcomes.
- Oversaw the implementation of large-scale youth employment and mentoring programs, such as One Summer Chicago (10,000+ youth served) and the Mentoring Initiative (4,000+ youth served), ensuring effective program delivery and impact.
- Developed and managed intervention programs like the Service Coordination and Navigation Program and Girls Empowerment and Mentoring Program, working with schools and community-based organizations to support at-risk and justice-involved youth.
- Directed professional development efforts for school faculty and youth service providers, equipping educators and administrators with resources to strengthen career-connected learning and student support services.
- Built and maintained strong partnerships with school districts, corporate leaders, and community stakeholders, ensuring youth have access to high-quality employment, mentorship, and training opportunities.
- Led cross-sector collaboration with city agencies, school leadership, and nonprofit organizations to align youth services with broader public safety, workforce, and education initiatives.
- Developed outreach and engagement strategies for youth programs, ensuring increased participation and accessibility for students, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making to assess program effectiveness, implementing continuous improvement strategies to enhance youth workforce development and mentorship programs.
Career and Technical Education Academy Coordinator
Simeon Career Academy
09.2012 - 06.2019
- Facilitated administrative activities for Career and Technical Education Academy
- Managed budgets for CTE programming, ensuring efficient allocation of resources
- Led recruitment efforts for high school-aged students, increasing enrollment
- Established and nurtured partnerships with community, business, and post-secondary entities
- Acted as 'lead' school-based CTE representative, fostering integration between CTE and core school staff.
- Implemented instructional learning activities to improve student academic, physical and social skills.
- Managed weekly program sessions, daily schedules and alternate program options.
- Maintained attendance, parent communications, rosters and payments.
- Provided support to new and veteran teachers to maximize student learning.
- Worked collaboratively with leadership team and instructional staff to support needs of students.
- Planned and implemented staff development and in-service training programs to enhance knowledge and skills.
- Developed partnerships with parents, businesses and organizations to build awareness, increase support and share resources.
- Represented educational program at meetings and conferences to serve as subject matter liaison for array of services and activities assigned.
- Promoted physical, intellectual, social, cultural and emotional well-being of children.
- Monitored overhead, prepared budgets and directed spending and resources to support fiscal efficiency.
Permanency Specialist II
Our Children’s Homestead
01.2008 - 08.2012
- Provide legal advocacy for minors under the Department of Children and Family Services
- Prepare legal reports and service plans and testify in court on minor’s status
- Coordinate child and family team meetings
- Help minors research colleges or trade schools for life after ward ship
- In a respectable manner, routinely challenge thoughts and ideas by others to ensure the best interest of minors are being taken into consideration
- Supervise Parent and Child Visits
- Manage Mentor’s work hours and create schedules for mentor and ward interaction
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
- Arranged medical and psychiatric tests to identify difficulties and indicate potential remedial approaches.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
Program Manager
Westside Youth Technical Entrepreneur Center
03.2003 - 12.2007
- Write grants to obtain financial support for organization
- Researched industry best practices in support of training development and program content.
- Coordinate quarterly networking and fundraising events
- Supervise Staff and Conduct Staff Evaluations
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Managed multiple strategic projects with numerous sub-projects or workstreams.
- Collaborated with business leadership to set priorities based on business needs, resource capacity and risk exposure.
Education
Bachelor of Science With Educational Studies - Criminal/Juvenile Justice - Urban Planning
Jackson State University
Jackson, MS08.2002
Skills
- Strategic planning - Marketing and recruitment
- Leadership and communication
- Industry partnerships and community engagement - Professional development and training
- Budget management
- Grant Writing
- Customer Relations
- Quality Assurance
- Quality Assessment
- Resource Allocation
Accomplishments
- Coordinated CTE programming for 17 CPS Schools
- Achieved increase in student enrollment through effectively leading student recruitment and parent outreach
- Collaborated in the development of Memorandum of Understanding between district and schools
- Certified Work-Based Learning special designation
Affiliations
- Project Management Institute
- Association of Information Technology Professionals
- National Association of Social Workers
- Member of ACTE Association for Career and Technical Education
Timeline
Career Connected Pathway Specialist
Chicago Public Schools
09.2023 - Current
Early College and Career Network Manager
Chicago Public Schools
07.2019 - 09.2023
Career and Technical Education Academy Coordinator
Simeon Career Academy
09.2012 - 06.2019
Permanency Specialist II
Our Children’s Homestead
01.2008 - 08.2012
Program Manager
Westside Youth Technical Entrepreneur Center
03.2003 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Science With Educational Studies - Criminal/Juvenile Justice - Urban Planning
Jackson State University
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