K-12 English Second Language Teacher

Description

Job Title: K-12 English as a Second Language Teacher

Position Summary: The position provides English language development instruction to English Learners in Kindergarten through 12th grade, enrolled in contracting school districts in and near Allegheny County.

• Demonstrate knowledge of second language acquisition, linguistics, teaching content English to English Learners, sensitivity and understanding to cross-cultural aspects of teaching and learning are necessary.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and document the initial screener and state English language proficiency test to determine EL student language proficiency levels to provide informed assessment criteria to the ESL program for placement into instruction.
• Maintain a schedule for student instruction and adhere to that schedule, arriving on time for instruction and remaining at each school for the established time period. Any variations to schedules must be approved by an ESL Administrator.
• Facilitate daily lesson plans that provide sound educational and language developing techniques that ultimately advance the academic achievement for the students. This instruction will be based on both state standards and research based practices. The teacher will also incorporate regular use of formal and authentic assessment into the daily curriculum which will be recorded in the form of cumulative grades book.
• Collaborate consistently with content area teachers, administrators, counselors, families, and other stakeholders to support the needs of the English Learners.
• ESL teachers are required to complete all necessary paperwork by established due dates, which would include but is not limited to mileage submissions, time sheets, teaching schedules, student rosters, calendars and professional development requests.
• Communicate in a collaborative manner with other school personnel to ensure compliance with policies of the student's building principal or designated representative. Working as an integral member of the student's instructional team, the ESL teacher is required to participate in a collaborative manner in planning, decision‑making, and conferencing concerning assigned students.
• Responsible for providing English language development instruction to assigned English Learners in a manner that ensures development of English language skills by addressing: student's language proficiency, development of literacy and academic language competence, providing support and information to help the student adjust to and become integrated into his/her new culture, and on‑going assessment through monitoring and documenting student progress.
• Communicate with parents/ guardians concerning student's program and progress with sensitivity to language and cultural similarities and differences. At times, this will include working with language interpreters.
• Maintain professional growth by taking part in professional development, actively seeking and developing effective approaches to instruction through the application of best practices in pedagogy.
• Participate in proactive communication with ESL Administration and staff, and contribute to overall program effectiveness.

• 1. Valid PA ESL Program Specialist certificate required
• 2. Valid PA certificate in Elementary K-6 and either English 7-12 or Communications 7-12, or Reading Specialist K-12 required
• 3. Experience teaching ESL and/or experience teaching at the elementary or secondary level or teaching English preferred
• 4. Experience with WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs assessments strongly preferred
• 5. Excellent organizational skills, initiative, and an ability to work with limited supervision
• 6. Excellent written and oral communication skills
• 7. Self-motivator, independent, cooperative, flexible, creative, and responsible
• 8. Ability and experience working as a member of a team
• 9. Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to experiment and work with new technologies

• Current Act 114, Act 34 and Act 151 required prior to an offer (Must be dated within 1 year of hire date).
• School Personnel Health Record (Form H511.340 (8/2011)) must be completed and received by Human Resources prior to hire date.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

When performing activities throughout the day related to the education of students, the teacher spends the majority of the day standing/walking in the classroom. Working with students may entail kneeling or squatting, stooping and bending from 50-70 degrees at the waist on an occasional to frequent basis.

The teacher must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force as frequently as needed to move objects (textbooks/materials and equipment such as…