26 - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Teacher

Skills

The primary responsibility of the CLDE Teacher is to plan, organize, and implement an appropriate instructional program in an elementary or secondary learning environment that guides and encourages students to develop and fulfill their academic potential.

• Performs instructional and related duties in accordance with District policies and terms of the teacher contract.
• Maintains a cooperative attitude with staff, parents, and students.
• Provides English Language Development instruction to students in grades 9-12 who have been in the country for less than 2 years.
• Teaches Culturally Linguistically Diverse Education using appropriate and differentiated learning strategies to enable students to make academic, and socio-emotional growth and assists students new to the United States to acculturate into the educational system successfully.

Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Valid Colorado Teaching License within 60 days from date of hire
• English as a Second Language (ESL) or Bilingual Education (BIED) or Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Education Endorsement (CLDE) or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Endorsement or Culturally & Linguistically Diverse-Bilingual Education Specialist
• Teacher must be highly qualified in applicable content area through the following options: Endorsement on a Colorado teaching license, Passing score on a State Board of Education approved content exam (currently the ETS Praxis Series)
• Minimum two years experience teaching English Learners in a general education classroom setting
• Experience designing units and lessons aligned with the CLD/WIDA framework
• Employee must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check and must be cleared by the Office of Human Resources
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing, using proper grammar and vocabulary
• Preferred Spanish language proficiency
• Experience providing guidance and support to other teachers working with English learners
• Knowledge of and experience with Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards
• Training and experience in sheltered instruction
• Understanding of WIDA assessment process and Can-Do Descriptors
• Bilingual, including English
• Experience in a Title I or low income setting
• Previous experience as a certified teacher
• Knowledge of content standards and implementation of standards-based curriculum
• Able to teach and meet the academic needs of all students ensuring academic progress in all content areas especially in reading/writing and mathematics
• Able to collaborate with all instructional staff
• Knowledge/experience teaching the diverse learner especially students who may have a specific learning plan such as an IEP, ILP, ELL, 504, etc.
• Demonstrated effective classroom management skills
• Knowledge / experience in implementing the Title I parental involvement plan
• Knowledge / experience with Positive Behavior Support Program or willing to implement the school-wide discipline plan

Responsibilities

• Establishes a safe and nurturing learning environment for students where background knowledge, language and culture is valued and time is given to orient students and families to a new culture, school, and community
• Takes time for students to participate in classroom discussions about their country, family, successes and challenges in adjusting to school and the community
• Collaborates with grade level teachers to enhance supports to newcomer students in staff, grade level and other professional learning community settings
• Buils strong relationships with parents to provide for the instructional needs of the newcomer students and sustains ongoing communication
• Teaches Designated and Integrated CLD, developing lesson plans according to the Colorado Academic Standards and WIDA Standards/Can Do Descriptors
• Builds students' listening, speaking, reading and writing skills with an emphasis on oral language development
• Utilizes strategies and hands on instructional materials
• Collaborates with other teachers to select materials specific to teaching English Language Development at lower language proficiency levels
• Conducts formative and summative assessments to evaluate English Language development
• Shares those assessments with students & their classroom teachers;
• Maintains a comprehensive record system to reflect on academic success and language development
• Identifies student's areas of strength and needs for improvement, monitors student achievement and adjusts instruction in response to student data
• Attends and engages in district and school meetings and activities for planning and program design purposes
• Participates in district and school professional development
• Ensures English language development (ELD) services are effective in meeting the needs of the English learners (ELs), including:
• Proper identification of ELs in a timely manner
• Administration of W-APT, WIDA ACCESS, and WIDA MODEL
• Initiation and ongoing development of individual ELD Plans
• Use of data to monitor and inform academic progress, instructional planning, and language needs
• Engaging and rigorous instruction for language development and access to content
• Ongoing support for core academic teachers, providing assistance with sheltered instruction and other effective strategies for ELs in the classroom
• Communication with parents as required, and as appropriate
• Active participation in monthly ELD department meetings and related professional development
• Proficient use of email, spreadsheets, Google Docs, etc. for department communication and file sharing
• Knowledge and understanding of Common Core standards
• Ability to unpack standards and align with curriculum
• Ability to write specific learning goals, objectives and outcomes
• Ability to analyze and use multiple data sources to make sound instructional decisions
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with colleagues and actively participate in professional learning communities
• Ability to use technology and incorporate/teach 21st century skills
• Ability to scaffold and differentiate instruction
• Ability and willingness to integrate reading, writing and math throughout the curriculum
• Computer expertise or an expectation to learn Infinite Campus
• Positive public relation skills, professionalism, strong work ethic, ability to develop positive relationships with school and community
• Strong commitment to system change and strong evidence of being a "team player"
• Ability to report to work on a regular and punctual basis
• Ability to be flexible