Classroom Teacher / English as a Second Language (ESL)

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General Statement:

The Connecticut State Board of Education (CSBE) believes that high-quality, comprehensive and effective English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual education programs are essential to acquire English language proficiency and academic proficiency for students who are English Learners (ELs). EL teachers work under Section 10-17e(3) of the C.G.S. This statute defines an ESL program as "a program that uses only English as the instructional language for eligible students and enables such students to achieve English proficiency and academic mastery of subject matter content and higher order skills, including critical thinking, so as to meet appropriate grade promotion and graduation requirements."

New Arrivals is a program option for qualifying students in grades one through twelve who have been in the U.S. for one year or less and who do not speak English. Students attend the program from a minimum of ten weeks to a maximum of one year, with the possibility to apply for up to a 10 month extension. Using TESOL methodologies, and taught in the target language of English, the program provides students with an intensive English language course of study in addition to following the content-area curriculum.

New Arrivals teachers work with students in a multi-grade environment, developing Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) in English while developing content appropriate vocabulary in order to prepare students for the mainstream classroom. The goal of the New Arrivals program is for students to learn routines of American schooling, basic English, and an introduction to academic vocabulary necessary for mainstream instruction.

Educational programs for ELs are regulated by the Every Student Succeeds Act, Title I and Title III. The New Arrival teacher is a part of the SPS EL Department and receives supervision from building administration and technical supervision and assistance from the Coordinator of English Learners (EL).

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide instruction for students who are eligible for and have chosen to receive New Arrival services
• Use Mainstream curriculum as a tool for New Arrival program
• Provide expertise to building principals and Coordinator of EL in planning and implementing programs which address the needs and abilities of the identified EL student population
• Maintain appropriate documents on assessment of students
• Regularly assess students to determine progress in language acquisition and eventual exit from program
• Consult with classroom teachers as appropriate to support partial mainstreaming
• Act as a resource to teachers of eligible students in developing differentiated strategies for students with limited proficiency in English
• Assist in the annual assessment of identified EL students as mandated by State and Federal statutes.
• Communicate with parents/guardians
• Assist the Coordinator of EL in maintaining records and reports as requested by local, state or federal agencies
• Work with building administration to develop reasonable schedules for students
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• CT CSDE certification endorsed for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), PK-12 (111)
• Experience working with EL students preferred
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching
• Superior organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with administrators, teachers, parents and students
• Superior communication skills (oral and written)
• Knowledge of and/or demonstrate the ability to learn and implement Operating Systems (i.e. Windows); Office suites (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Docs); Presentation Software (i.e. PowerPoint, Keynote); Spreadsheets (i.e. Excel, Google Spreadsheets); Communication and Collaboration tools (i.e. Skype); Accounting Software (i.e. QuickBooks); Student Information Systems (i.e. Naviance, Power School); or any other technology deemed relevant for this position.

Board Approved April 28, 2020

Union:

Stamford Education Association (SEA)

Salary:

$50,684 to $123,992

Step Placement is based on education and experience as outlined in Article 4 (D) of the Stamford Education Associate (SEA) Contract.

To view the full posting and apply online, visit: https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/careers