Erica Ferguson's schedule for CPS Skyline Professional Learning, SY25

Skyline 101

If it was not possible for you to attend a Skyline 101 session this summer, Year 1 Skyline-adopting teachers should complete the Skyline Essentials Badges HERE and register for Unit Internalization sessions, where we’ll be sure that you get the support you need to get started!

Unit Internalization for Year 1 Skyline Adopters
Plan for successful implementation of the upcoming Skyline unit, including support for students with disabilities and multilingual learners, and using assessments and the Checkpoint platform effectively. Unit internalization is highly recommended for teachers and coaches new to Skyline. During these sessions you will:

Study the unit to deeply understand (1) the big ideas students are expected to learn, (2) the arc of learning over the unit, and (3) how students will be assessed summatively and formatively along the way
Tailor instruction to meet the needs of students with unfinished learning, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners
Internalize the instructional practice shifts embedded in the curriculum by experiencing a lesson immersion

Unit Planning for Year 2+ Skyline Adopters
Returning Skyline teachers are invited to attend 2-hour, in-person Unit Planning sessions. These sessions are designed for those with at least one year of Skyline experience in their content area. You will:

Engage with the Unit Internalization Protocol in a lightly-facilitated space
Collaborate with other district teachers and T&L content specialists

Skyline Essentials Badges
Self-paced professional learning essential for those who are implementing and/or supporting the implementation of Skyline. Courses include how to navigate Skyline, plan and teach lessons and administer assessments using the Skyline digital learning ecosystem. The Navigating, Planning, Teaching, and Assessing 1&2 badges are required for new Skyline adopting teachers. Access Skyline Essential Badges HERE!

Payment / Credit Hours
Teachers will receive CPDUs and will be paid 1 non-instructional hour for each Skyline Essentials badge completed. Teachers will receive CPDUs for attending PL sessions. Eligibile staff will also be compensated at the non-instructional rate per hour for their attendance at Skyline PL sessions that occur outside of regularly contracted hours. Teachers must be fully contracted and onboarded at the time of the session, attend the full duration of the session, and complete the attendance/exit slip form to receive payment and CPDUs. Please find more payment information in the Skyline Payment One-Pager.

Erica Ferguson

Chicago Public Schools

Social Science Specialist, Grades 6-8 (Seventh Grade)

About me

I am a 6-8 Social Science Specialist with the Department of Social Studies in the Office of Teaching and Learning. I have been in service as an educator to students, families, and school communities on the West and South Sides of Chicago for the past 17 years in CPS. I have taught grades 3rd-8th and spent 5 years as a Middle School Social Science Teacher. In my role, I support teachers across the district to unpack the new ILSS Inquiry Standards and Inquiry Arc Framework, navigate Safari Montage, implement the Skyline Social Science Curriculum, engage partners in the Social Science Department's vision for Culturally Responsive Inquiry and Anti- Racist Education, and provide high quality professional learning experiences. In my free time, I enjoy painting, wheel throwing, and spending time with my family and friends. It would be my pleasure to support your journey in teaching and learning culturally responsive, inquiry based social science.