Position Overview:

The Salem Public Schools is seeking an innovative and collaborative bilingual educator to teach reading in both English and Spanish to ELLs as part of a dynamic district initiative to improve literacy and language acquisition for our earliest readers. This is an exciting opportunity for a teacher who is bilingual, biliterate and bicultural (Spanish/English) and who is passionate about teaching reading. The successful candidate will be comfortable making connections with children representing a range of needs and maintaining a positive and respectful environment through effective classroom routines. The successful candidate will also possess a strong understanding of reading instruction at the early childhood and early elementary levels and hold an unwavering belief in the power of school communities to make a difference in the lives of children. This individual will work under the general supervision of the District Director for English Language Learning. She/he will be evaluated following the professional standards articulated in the Massachusetts Teacher Rubric.

The Salem Public Schools:

Salem Public Schools (SPS) knows that there is no more important factor in a child's education than a great teacher. Here in Salem, great teachers are passionate about urban education, drive student achievement, reflect and respect the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. We value diversity among our staff as well and are eager to field applications from candidates who represent diverse racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Salem Public Schools also seeks individuals who are able to serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. At a minimum, candidates must have:

• A valid Massachusetts' teaching license for the appropriate content area and grade;
• A Bachelor's degree;
• The ability to meet the expectations of the Massachusetts Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice; and
• Current authorization to work in the United States.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan and provide small group reading instruction to ELLs in Spanish and English
• Regularly assess student progress and regroup students using data
• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence, equity, and high expectations for all students by building on the strengths that students bring to the language learning process
• Leverage extensive knowledge of first and second language acquisition in planning and collaborating with general education teaching colleagues, co-plans and co-teaches, as assigned by building principal
• Communicate regularly and proactively with parents and families in a culturally proficient manner
• Serve as an advocate for the needs of the ELL students on grade level and instructional teams
• Work under the general supervision of the building principal, ELL Director, and/or other designated administrator, to review student proficiency levels, appropriate ESL services, and ELL data
• Additional duties may be assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (Required); Masters Degree preferred;
• Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure in ESL and Elementary/Early Childhood Education;
• Reading Specialist license, highly preferred
• Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement (Required); Additional certification in English as a Second Language, Spanish and/or Special Education preferred;
• Fully bilingual and biliterate; fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English (Required);
• Experience teaching in a dual language, two-way bilingual, or transitional bilingual education (TBE program preferred;)
• Experience working in an urban public school setting preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to foster positive academic growth through the planning and delivery of high-quality instruction to students representing a diverse range of learning needs;
• Demonstrated ability to design, administer and analyze a variety of informal and formal assessments to inform instructional next steps and create small groups for targeted instruction;

• Demonstrated ability to manage a classroom running small groups/centers in a positive way where kids are learning how to manage their own learning;

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a professional learning community;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively with families, community members and colleagues;
• Demonstrated ability to meet the expectations of the Massachusetts Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice; and

Current authorization to work in the United States.

New Teacher Orientation for all first year teachers and all teaching staff new to the Salem Public Schools for the 2018/2019 School Year will be held on August 21st and 22nd, 2018. This is a required commitment of all new teaching staff. Professional Development for all teaching staff (new and returning) will begin on August 28, 2018. The full 2018/2019 School Year Calendar can be found on the Salem Public Schools' website.

Position Type: Full-time

Equal Opportunity Employer
Salem Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Contact Information
Liza Bento, Director of Human Capital
29 Highland Avenue
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
Phone: 978-740-1115
Fax: 978-740-1279
Email: humancapital@salemk12.org