ESOL Program Coordinator

CASA•Hyattsville, MD

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

WE ARE CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits. The Education Department supports We Are CASA’s multi-generation approach to education through engaging youth and their families as a whole in the attainment of educational opportunities for all. All across its footprint, We Are CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and parents, and oversees We Are CASA’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within We Are CASA. The department also supports We Are CASA’s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with We Are CASA’s Department of Politics & Communications. The Education Department’s ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Programs use Popular Education to address the educational needs of its adult learners. Lessons are focused upon concrete and practical everyday experiences. Students, as adults, come to class with experiences they are encouraged to share and peer teach while performing tasks. Class materials are geared towards student’s life experiences and promote both civic engagement and community empowerment. The classes also serve to empower students to make positive and long-lasting social change within their community in coordination with We Are CASA’s organizing and advocacy efforts in the fight for immigration reform, workers’ rights, universal equality, and social justice. The Life Skills ESOL Program follows a traditional program structure offering We Are CASA members intensive language instruction according to the following schedules: evening virtual, evening in-person, Saturday in-person. The Workforce ESOL Program provides beginner and intermediate level courses to We Are CASA members participating in the Employment Program at We Are CASA’s Welcome Centers. This position is responsible for coordinating the Saturday in-person classes and the Workforce virtual morning classes in partnership with the Education Department’s other ESOL Program Coordinator who is responsible for coordinating the virtual and the in-person evening classes. The ESOL Program Coordinator will perform a range of duties to ensure language learning skills to low skilled workers and speakers of other languages. They will work directly with We Are CASA’s education team to execute high quality ESOL programming and oversee all program activities necessary to maintain a consistently successful and effective adult ESOL program and other activities assigned by the Community Education Manager with particular attention given to the coordination of the Workforce ESOL Program’s virtual drop-in classes and the in-person Saturday Life Skills ESOL classes at various We Are CASA sites in Metro MD.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years teaching experience in Adult/ Vocational ESOL and/or GED
Proficiency in English and Spanish skills, both spoken and written, required
Valid US Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle
Experience working with immigrant learners with limited educational backgrounds and study habits
Experience creating lesson plans that accommodates a variety of learning styles, learners of limited educational backgrounds & study habits
Experience working with immigrant or working class communities
Extremely punctual and able to meet programmatic deadlines
Proficiency with Google Suites required
Willingness to learn other needed computer programs
Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
Knowledgeable regarding Popular Education and other adult education methodologies
Energetic, creative, and adaptable with a “can do” attitude
Detail oriented and extremely organized, experience multi-tasking and prioritizing work across multiple sites/locations
Respectful of all cultures and embraces the popular educational principle that we all possess the capability of learning a new language and succeed in life
Progressive and supportive of We Are CASA's mission
Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Deep commitment to social change and to growing We Are CASA as a membership organization in which members have decision-making authority.
General cash handling and accounting skills to collect and accurately record registration and membership payments
Excellent Customer Service skills

Nice To Haves

TSOL Certification preferred
French fluency preferred
Salesforce experience preferred

Responsibilities

Track teacher lesson plans and make copies of supplemental materials for classes as needed
Train instructors in Popular Education and ensure appropriate application in the classroom and instruction materials.
Support the development and implementation of in-classroom advocacy tools that are aligned with We Are CASA's Progressive education model
Conduct Teacher Orientation each session
Ensure teachers and volunteers understand rules and operational procedures
Observe teachers in the classroom and provide feedback after observation (on file); Create a space for dialogue between/with teachers to ensure a pleasant workplace. Teachers and volunteers should feel they are a part of a TEAM working to create the best learning environment for We Are CASA students.
Maintain constant/open communication with teachers and volunteers.
Conduct annual teacher survey to obtain teacher feedback
Plan and facilitate teachers meetings and trainings in partnership with the education team
Participate in staff meetings between Coordinators and Managers across the We Are CASA footprint
Organize and implement the administering of We Are CASA’s standardized pre- and post- tests each session to track student learning gains
Organize individual student data each session for grant writing purposes
Assist with the selection process for new teacher candidates
Conduct and tally student surveys at the beginning, mid-point, and end of each session
Coordinate the end of session celebrations
Monitor teacher supplies and materials
Recruit, register, transfer, and withdraw students while keeping master class list updated and enter all relevant data into Salesforce for recordkeeping and reporting purposes.
Support We Are CASA's organizing and advocacy efforts
Support the development and expansion of the membership program
Participate actively in the annual planning process, including developing and executing individual work plans, evaluating and providing feedback on plans as the year progresses
Meet deadlines established by the supervisor and in the Department and individual work plan.
Collaborate with other We Are CASA Departments and programs to ensure that high quality services are being delivered to ensure that members enjoy an excellent experience with We Are CASA such that they can contribute to building the power of the immigrant community
Conduct community outreach & advertisement (designing, producing & disseminating flyers, emailing community partners, visiting local businesses & centers)
Collect & record class registration fees and membership, providing weekly updates to supervisor
Visit all virtual and in-person classes on a routine basis to ensure curriculum is followed and to recruit students to participate in We Are CASA events
Participation in CASA actions, mobilizations and events as needed and required
Provide quality customer service, interactions and responses to all members, partner organizations, vendors, visitors, callers and any other individual or organization you may encounter in your role with We Are CASA
Understand promote We Are CASA membership and services
Maintain a positive attitude
Other Duties as Assigned

Benefits

Generous paid time off, including: annual leave starting at three weeks per year (proportional accrual per pay period), two weeks of sick leave, three days of personal leave, and additional compensatory leave for exempt employees.
Sixteen (16) paid holidays per calendar year.
Health, dental, and vision insurance (CASA pays 100% of the premium costs for the employee up to our HMO plan, 55% for couples, 65% for children and 60% for family)
Basic life and AD&D
Long and Short Term Disability insurance
Professional Development: Those pursuing a course of study related to work performed at CASA may be eligible for a reimbursement up to $2,000.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
FSA Account including Dependent Care.
401(k) retirement plan with a 2% employer discretionary match.
Supplemental Health insurance
Mileage reimbursements for those positions that are required to drive on CASA business.
Cell Phone stipend for those positions that are required to use their cellphone for CASA business.