Elementary ESOL Teacher

Job Description

Job Title: Elementary ESOL Teacher

Position Function

The Elementary ESOL Teacher is responsible for designing, delivering, and facilitating effective learning experiences for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students at the elementary school level. This pivotal role involves fostering academic progress, maintaining a structured and supportive classroom environment, and accurately tracking student development. The teacher works collaboratively with students, parents, and school staff to provide tailored classroom education that comprehensively meets the diverse linguistic and academic needs of all ESOL learners. The ultimate goal is to empower ESOL students to achieve English language proficiency and academic success across all subject areas.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

• Direct Instruction and Facilitation: Provides engaging, research-based direct instruction and facilitates student learning, utilizing current best practices and pedagogical strategies specifically adapted for English language learners in subjects such as English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and other relevant curriculum areas.
• Objective Setting and Communication: Establishes clear, measurable, and achievable learning objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and effectively communicates these objectives to students, parents, and instructional peers to ensure shared understanding and focus.
• Effective Lesson Planning: Develops comprehensive and coherent lesson plans that align with district curriculum, state standards, and the specific language acquisition needs of ESOL students, guiding daily instruction and promoting student engagement.
• Collaborative Professionalism: Actively collaborates and communicates with general education teachers, special education teachers, other ESOL specialists, and support staff to address the holistic educational and linguistic needs of all students, ensuring a coordinated approach to instruction and support.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Creates, administers, and accurately grades a variety of formative and summative tests and assessments to effectively evaluate student progress in both language acquisition and academic content, using data to inform instructional decisions.
• Classroom Management: Establishes, communicates, and consistently enforces clear rules and procedures that foster a positive, orderly, and inclusive learning environment conducive to academic success and social development for all students.
• Student Progress Monitoring and Reporting: Systematically observes, evaluates, and prepares detailed reports on the academic and linguistic progress of students. Regularly discusses students’ concerns and progress with parents and staff, and diligently maintains the district-provided electronic gradebook and student information system.
• Professional Development: Actively participates in faculty meetings, professional learning communities, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to continuously enhance pedagogical skills, stay current with ESOL best practices, and contribute to the school’s professional culture.
• Curriculum Alignment for Success: Prepares and delivers classroom instruction designed to promote students’ success in the provided curriculum and on district, state, and national assessments, with a particular focus on scaffolding language and content for ESOL learners.
• Policy Adherence: Observes, enforces, and is guided by all policies, rules, and regulations adopted by the school district, upholding professional and ethical standards.
• Modification Implementation: Works closely with Special Education teachers or other ESOL specialists to ensure that appropriate accommodations and modifications are being developed and implemented in the classroom to meet individualized student needs.
• Reporting Compliance: Completes all required reports, documentation, and administrative tasks as identified by the building principal or school district in a timely and accurate manner.
• School-Wide Supervision: Provides supervision in common areas such as hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds to support the overall school environment and contribute to the school and district’s mission and goals for student safety and well-being.

Additional Duties

Assists with additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to support broader school initiatives.

Equipment

This position requires proficiency in utilizing modern educational technology, including SMART boards and iPads, in addition to standard office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines. All equipment use must comply with USD 259’s established guidelines and policies.

Travel

Limited travel may be required for district-wide professional development sessions, departmental meetings, and educational trainings.

Physical And Mental Demands

• Ability to meet the physical and mental demands as comprehensively outlined in the on-site job analysis for an Elementary Teacher.
• Must be able to respond rapidly, calmly, and effectively in emergency situations, ensuring student safety and well-being.
• Requires strong organizational skills, effective time management, clear communication abilities (both verbal and written), and excellent interpersonal skills to interact professionally with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Must be capable of working effectively within dynamic school building environments, adapting to varying noise levels and classroom demands.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Pedagogical Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of current teaching methods, educational pedagogy, and best practices specifically related to English language acquisition and content instruction for ESOL students.
• Legal Compliance: Thorough knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and district policies pertaining to education, student rights, and special populations, including ESOL students.
• Classroom Management Acumen: Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a classroom of diverse students, maintaining order, fostering engagement, and creating a productive learning atmosphere.
• Student Interaction: Exceptional ability and patience to work interactively and empathetically with elementary school students, understanding their developmental stages and individual learning styles.
• Organizational Proficiency: Superior skills in organization, time management, and multitasking, essential for managing lesson planning, grading, record-keeping, and diverse student needs.
• Instructional Delivery: Proven ability to deliver high-quality teaching instruction in accordance with approved curriculum standards, state guidelines, and the specific needs of English language learners.
• Communication Excellence: Excellent skills in both verbal and written communication, enabling clear and effective interaction with students, parents, staff, and administrators.
• Individualized Understanding: Keen ability to understand and respond to the individual needs and learning styles of each student, differentiating instruction to support diverse learners.
• Technical Proficiency: Ability to effectively use Microsoft Outlook for professional communication and proficiently navigate and utilize the district’s student information system for attendance, grades, and student data management.
• Professionalism and Confidentiality: Displays a significant degree of professionalism, ethical conduct, and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding student information and school matters.
• Professional Appearance: Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance, reflecting a positive image of the school district.
• Mission Alignment: Knowledge of the company’s mission, purpose, and goals, and a clear understanding of the role of every employee in achieving these collective objectives.

Qualifications

Interrelations

This role requires frequent and positive contact with various personnel within the district, as well as with external customers and vendors. The Elementary ESOL Teacher will work under the direct supervision of the department supervisor, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. Interaction with a diverse population of students, parents, and colleagues is constant, requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivity. The candidate must understand and respond appropriately to the needs of all stakeholders, consistently maintaining a positive and supportive attitude with all customers and colleagues. Employees are expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner, providing quick, responsive, and helpful customer service.

Employee Punctuality And Appearance

For schools to operate effectively and maintain a professional environment, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless prior approved leave has been granted by the employee’s supervisor or building administrator. Furthermore, all employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive and professional image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position and the educational setting.

Qualification Profile

• Teaching License: Possession of a current Kansas State teaching license with a valid endorsement in ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a discipline related to the teaching assignment, demonstrating foundational knowledge in education.
• ESOL Endorsement: A specific ESOL endorsement is required, demonstrating specialized training and qualification to teach English language learners.
• Experience: 6 months to 1 year of prior teaching experience is preferred, indicating some practical classroom experience.

FLSA Status:

Exempt