Category: Full Time;
Position Title: Director of English Language Instruction
Start Date: 10/26/2021
End Date:
Location: 2300 Washington St. Roxbury, MA
Job Information:
INSTITUTIONAL BACKGROUND:
The Office of English Learners (OEL) is committed to ensuring that BPS students will acquire the 21st century, bi-literacy skills and cross-disciplinary knowledge required for success in college and/or careers. OEL also provides guidance and support to schools and central administration for legal compliance and equitable access. Through OEL’s work, English Learners (ELs) receive the services and programming they need, aligned with current research and the BPS vision, mission, and goals.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Inherent in any central office obligation, BPS employees are charged with supporting schools as needed. In particular, the OEL Instructional Team will be required to participate in instructional walkthroughs and complete observations at school sites. The Director of English Learner (EL) Instruction will support the academic leadership initiative as pertaining to ELs in the areas of second language acquisition, literacy, and best practices to accelerate the academic achievement for English Learners. This role is responsible for the continued implementation of the WIDA Frameworks, using MCAS and other achievement data disaggregated by ELD level to strategically drive instructional practices, Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners (RETELL) strategies, instructional programs for ELs – including Dual Language and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) programs, and implementing enhanced EL programs under the recently passed LOOK Bill.
More specifically, in this role, the individual will supervise an instructional unit composed of managerial and collective bargaining members who are assigned to the following:
EL Instruction Team: Lead the development and implementation of district wide ESL curriculum, English Language Development (ELD) Framework, and other language development resources.
EL Professional Development Team: Manage the continued implementation of district professional development such as ESL Massachusetts Tests for Educator License (MTEL) Courses, ESL Model Curriculum Units (MCUs), WIDA, RETELL, Dual Language, facilitating the District Language Assessment Team Facilitator (LAT-F) meetings, leading Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Professional Learning Experiences, providing school based supports through school site visits, and other best practices in partnership with school leaders.
Dual Language Team: Oversee the growth and expansion of BPS Dual Language and other language programs.
SLIFE Team: Direct the development of SLIFE Curriculum and native literacy support for students with interrupted or limited formal education.
Supplemental Services Team: Supervise the implementation of the district’s Title III supplemental services such as before, after and summer school programs for ELs to ensure quality instruction for ELs.
The purpose of this role is to provide consistent oversight to the development, production and dissemination of instructional policies and supports through adult learning opportunities, curriculum materials development, and other resources. This includes: 1) ensuring that all curriculum and adult learning priorities are aligned to district priorities and the OEL initiatives; 2) establishing and implementing proper policies for the implementation of these learning opportunities to ensure high quality outcomes for teachers and administrators; 3) ensuring consistency of practice and aligning research based practices and methodologies that result in full access of ELs to the District’s core curriculum and educational opportunities; 4) designing the instructional model for EL programs under the recently passed LOOK Bill including program and curricula implementation; and 5) overseeing the management of funds assigned.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curriculum Development: Develop clear and consistent guidance for the implementation of ESL curriculum within BPS. Provide vision on ESL materials and resources necessary to develop quality EL programs (SLIFE, Dual Language) district wide, and generate new and innovative EL programs under the recent passage of the LOOK Bill. Instructional Leadership:
Research, document and disseminate policies on teaching and learning of English Learners in district schools through adult learning activities. Present and report on findings and research at varied ESL conferences as a professional representative of OEL. Develop and monitor the implementation of WIDA Language Standards. Support the implementation of a district wide professional learning community for ESL teachers to develop consistency in ESL instruction across grade levels. Continue the implementation of DESE RETELL Initiative through partnership with other district content leaders to facilitate learning and integration of SEI strategies.
Program Management: Support the district and schools to strategically manage the needs and priorities to ensure language acquisition and academic achievement for EL population who are represented in various SEI language specific programming, Dual Language schools, or SLIFE classrooms, or new language programs that may be developed as a result of the LOOK Bill.
Professional Learning Oversight: Lead the Instructional Services Team to produce adult learning workshops and courses on second language acquisition theories and practices aligned with district policies and priorities. Build the capacity at school sites to analyze the conditions that help or hinder EL academic achievement.
Report Generation: Assess qualitative and quantitative reports documenting the progress of the district and schools in the acceleration of the academic achievement of ELs. Provide targeted support and services based on WIDA- ACCESS scores. Organize and synthesize relevant information in order to prepare and disseminate correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other communications/documents as directed. Lead team to meet all reporting deadlines.
Management: Supervise team of 7+ FTE. Allocate and manage the spending of provided budget to ensure priorities are adequately funded. Provide updated reports as requested.
Perform other tasks as requested by the Assistant Superintendent for English Learners
Please refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohc (under “Employee Benefits and Policies”) for more information on salary and compensation. Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade/Step.
The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.
Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED:
Master's degree with ESL, Principal/Assistant with SEI/BEE endorsement, or other appropriate license.
Minimum 7-10 years experience in education, inclusive of delivering professional development to teachers and school leaders, supervision and evaluation of educators, creating school improvement plans.
Expertise in program design, implementation and evaluation as it pertains to Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual Education, Sheltered Instruction, and SLIFE Programs.
Ability to apply knowledge of national research and best practices in order to close the achievement gap for ELs.
Demonstrated experience working in interdisciplinary, cross-functional and multi-cultural environments
Ability to effectively lead a team to complete high quality work in a timely manner.
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Knowledge and experience with school based improvement efforts particularly in the area of second language acquisition.
Current authorization to work in the United States – Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.
QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED:
Doctoral degree in ESL, Applied Linguistics or related field
Experience working in urban public education
Working knowledge of state and federal laws as pertaining to the education of English Learners and immigrant students
Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with diverse groups of people
Knowledge of a wide variety of computer programs including word processing, database management, PowerPoint, Excel and Desktop Publishing Skills to create presentations, reports, charts and tables from existing data
Second Language Proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, or Cape Verdean Creole, Arabic, Portuguese, or French
TERMS: Managerial, D61. City of Boston Residency is Required.
Language/Languages: Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, or Cape Verdean Creole, Arabic, Portuguese, or French
Contact Name: Faye Karp
Contact email for questions: fkarp@bostonpublicschools.org
Application Instructions: Apply here:https://bostonpublicschools.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=24048
