English as a Second Language Teacher

Rocketship Public Schools•Smyrna, TN

About The Position

The ESL Teacher (Specialist) works in the Language and Learning Lab to help English as a Second Language students develop excellence in speaking, writing, reading, and listening. The specialist collaborates with ESL experts and Rocketship team members to design and implement components of the Language and Learning Lab. They provide additional support and intervention to students in sheltered blocks, using formative and summative WIDA data to plan lessons for individual student needs and communicating closely with classroom teachers and families about progress. The role also involves analyzing annual WIDA data and reporting outcomes and action steps to teachers and school leaders on professional development days. The ESL Specialist reports to an Assistant Principal. The position requires a commitment to Rocketship Public Schools’ mission, vision, and goals; fluency in English; a bachelor’s degree; a Tennessee Elementary K–6 teaching credential or a full credential transferable from another state; and a Tennessee English as a Second Language K–12 endorsement. Previous experience managing or teaching groups of elementary-age students is strongly preferred. The salary range is $54,048–$78,940 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

Commitment to Rocketship's mission, vision, and goals.
Basic computer skills, including troubleshooting and communicating about technical difficulties.
Fluency in English.
Bachelor's degree.
Tennessee Elementary K–6 teaching credential or a full credential transferable from out of state.
Tennessee English as a Second Language K–12 endorsement to serve as an ESL Specialist.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience managing and/or teaching groups of elementary-age students is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer WIDA assessments to all ESL students and serve as the test coordinator.
Create progress-monitoring tools for speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and use them to document each student's progress weekly.
Ensure the school is language-rich by labeling spaces throughout the school with language notations.
Work with a team of specialists and experts to conduct six-week data analyses and produce corresponding six-week action plans aligned with Rocketship's formative assessment cycle.
Participate in unit-planning meetings with classroom teachers to ensure Universal Design and ELL principles are incorporated into units and daily plans.
Hold bi-monthly community meetings or open houses for families.
Report student progress to families every six to eight weeks.
Design daily lessons that develop students' speaking, listening, writing, reading, public speaking, and presentation skills, including explicit vocabulary and idiom instruction.
Provide student support and intervention in speaking, listening, reading, writing, phonics and decoding, and reading comprehension.
Analyze annual WIDA data and report outcomes and action steps to teachers and school leaders on professional development days.
Communicate with classroom teachers and families about student progress.