Job Title:  2024-2025 English Language Development Specialist

Department: English Language Development

Pay Grade: Teacher's Salary Schedule

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to: Director II-English Language Development

GENERAL PURPOSE

This position is multifaceted with the overarching goal of improving the educational experience of English learners. The purpose of the ELD Specialist is to support and implement the district ELD program for the increased academic improvement and advancement of English learners, and provide support for classroom teachers and other staff members in the modeling and collaboration for effective classroom instruction in language rich practices.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Orchestrates the learning environment of English learner students.
• Prepares to learn and supports the creation of learning environments for English learner students in a variety of setting such as small groups, teacher collaboration, co-teaching, and/or strategy implementation.
• Participates in department meetings and department PLC meetings.
• Adheres to WIDA ACCESS testing security and administration assessments evaluating students’ levels of English proficiency.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress by communicating expectations; student’s achievements; develops methods of improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Analyzes student assessment data in order to enhance student achievement.
• Assesses student progress towards objectives, expectations and/or goals providing feedback to students, parents, and administration.
• Collaborates with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents, and a variety of community resources improving the overall quality of student outcomes, and achieving established classroom objectives in support of the school improvement plan.
• Counsels students improving performance, health status, problem-solving techniques, and a variety of personal issues.
• Demonstrates methods required to perform classroom and/or subject-specific assignments providing an effective program that addresses individual student requirements.
• Differentiates classroom work providing students with instructional materials that address individualized learning plans within established lesson plans.
• Facilitates student learning integrating technology, arranging field trips, organizing age appropriate activities for the purpose of achieving success in academic, interpersonal, and daily living skills through defined lesson plans.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic files and records providing up-to-date information and/or historical reference in accordance with established guidelines and legal requirements.
• Models English communication developing student ability to communicate effectively in the English language.
• Participates in a variety of meetings conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Reports health and safety issues to administrative personnel and/or appropriate agencies maintaining student’s personal safety, a positive learning environment, and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in job-related area from an accredited college or university.
• Job-related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.

Certificates, Licenses and Other Special Requirements

• Missouri ESOL Teaching Certification is required.
• Ability to gain and maintain “Highly Qualified” status as defined by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, required.
• Must pass a Criminal Background Clearance, the results of which must be satisfactory to the District, required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic math, including calculations using fractions, percentages, and/or ratios; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues, draw conclusions and create action plans.
• Knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include appropriate codes, policies, regulations and/or laws; age appropriate activities; lesson plan requirements; stages of child development; and behavioral management strategies.
• Skill to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to routinely upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.
• Skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job, including: applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including using pertinent software applications; and preparing and maintaining accurate records
• Ability to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment.
• Ability to work with others under a wide variety of circumstances; working with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using defined methods.
• Ability to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to apply critical thinking/problem solving to improve work processes.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; set priorities; meet deadlines and schedules; work with detailed information; and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to set high expectations for self and others; set and monitor progress toward goals; and utilize and offer effective feedback for continuous improvement.
• Ability to work as part of a team; adapt to changing priorities; and apply logical processes and analytical skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.
• The work is sedentary work that requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
• Must possess the physical ability to perceive the nature of sounds, make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, express or exchange ideas by the spoken word, substantial movements (motions) with the hands, wrists, and/or fingers, and discern letters or numbers at a given distance.
• Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, manual dexterity, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity and walking.