Spanish Bilingual Resource Specialist - Stephens - 0.968 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bilingual Resource Specialist serves students and families from the target language group. The specialist provides academic, linguistic, cultural, and social-emotional support to English Learners (ELs), working with teaching staff, school administrators, families, and community partners. The role also facilitates communication through translation and interpretation, supports student placement and transitions, and helps families navigate the U.S. school system and access school, district, and community resources. School-based positions are required to be in person unless otherwise directed by the building principal. Work may involve travel to different district locations and off-site meetings. Evening, night, and some weekend work may be required. Any hybrid flexibility depends on the position and work-unit needs and will be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements

Must pass the MMSD reading, writing, and oral proficiency assessment in the target language and English, based on the district screening process.

Responsibilities

Maintain a weekly schedule of academic and linguistic support in coordination with school administrators and teaching staff, based on EL needs documented on students’ ILP forms.
Provide academic, linguistic, and cultural support in classrooms in collaboration with teaching staff or administrators.
Facilitate and enhance communication through translation and interpretation, and build relationships with ELs and their families.
Support school office staff and ESL/Bilingual Resource Teacher staff in welcoming families, interpreting paperwork, and explaining available student services.
Interpret communication with families about the Home Language Survey, ESL status, and services; help ensure EL records are complete and current.
Support newcomers’ social, emotional, and academic transition into student life in collaboration with other staff.
Participate in team discussions about EL academic, transition, graduation, and career or vocational needs.
Contribute to planning ESL/Bilingual instructional programs, including culturally relevant materials and resources.
Gather relevant cultural background information for instruction and assessment, and consult with staff about cultural or language-based explanations for student issues.
Implement advance-prepared one-on-one and small-group lesson plans from certified teaching staff to provide pre-teaching or instructional reinforcement.
Support ELs in core academic instruction in an inclusive environment under the guidance of the classroom teacher and/or ESL/BRT, and provide small-group support as needed.
Provide testing accommodations, including interpretation support, as outlined by the Office of Assessment Administration.
Provide written translation of school-specific documents and oral interpretation for staff and families in person, by phone, at school events, and at meetings.
Facilitate communication between people with linguistic or cultural differences and assist families with district and school paperwork and applications in their native language.
Facilitate communication before IEP meetings and provide interpretation during IEP meetings.
Help students and families navigate the social and academic norms and practices of the U.S. school system and community.
Gather information from families about their social and academic norms and practices and share it with staff during established meetings.
Explain the district Behavior Education Plan to students and families and provide social-emotional support to ELs, particularly those having difficulty bridging school culture.
Help schools develop culturally relevant family outreach systems.
Connect students and families with district and community resources, and facilitate communication with outside agencies and relay community-service recommendations between staff and families.