Spanish Bilingual Resource Specialist - Sherman - 0.676 FTE - 26-27 SY

Madison Metropolitan School District•Madison, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is seeking a highly motivated and energetic Spanish Bilingual Resource Specialist. This role is designed to serve students and families from the target language group, providing academic, linguistic, and cultural support. MMSD is committed to being anti-racist, culturally responsive, and inclusive, with a vision to ensure every student graduates high school ready for college, career, and community. The district serves a diverse population of over 25,000 students, with a significant number of students of color, from low-income households, and English Language Learners. This position offers a competitive compensation package and supports employees in their career path, aiming to develop a talented workforce that reflects the diversity of the student population.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

Maintain and adhere to a weekly schedule of academic and linguistic support, created in association with school administration and teaching staff based on the needs of English Learners (ELs) in their work sites as indicated on students’ ILP forms.
Provide students with academic, linguistic, and cultural support in the classroom in collaboration with teaching staff or administrators when appropriate.
Facilitate and enhance communication, including translation and interpretation.
Build relationships with English Learners (ELs) and their families.
Assist with welcoming families into the school district, providing interpretation to ensure all paperwork is completed and sharing the array of services available to the student to inform parent decisions.
Assist ESL/BRT with communication to families regarding the Home Language Survey and ESL status and services by providing interpretation.
Work with the ESL/BRT to ensure EL records are complete and current.
Help transition newcomers into student life through social, emotional, and academic support in collaboration with other staff (i.e., school social worker, ESL/BRT).
Participate as an active team member in the discussion of academic, transition, graduation and career/vocational issues related to ELs.
Contribute ideas to the planning of the ESL/Bilingual instructional programs, including culturally relevant materials, resources, and ways of responding to students.
Differentiate and obtain cultural background information relevant for instruction and assessment of student performance.
Implement one-on-one and small group lesson plans created in advance by certified teaching staff to provide pre-teaching and/or instructional reinforcement.
Consult with staff to provide possible cultural or language-based explanations to student issues.
Provide support to ELs in core academic instruction with intention and planning in an inclusive environment, under the guidance of the classroom teacher and/or ESL/BRT.
Provide support to ELs in small groups within or outside of the classroom as needed.
Provide appropriate accommodations (i.e., interpretation support) as outlined by the Office of Assessment Administration for ELs during testing situations.
Provide written translation of school-specific documents.
Provide interpretation for school staff (principal, teacher, nurse, etc.) who are contacting parents in person and over the phone with the staff member present.
Collaborate with and connect students/families with staff by providing oral interpretation in person and over the phone regarding all topics that affect student life.
Provide oral interpretation at school events and meetings.
Facilitate communication prior to Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings, and provide interpretation during IEP meetings.
Assist families in their native language to complete district/school paperwork and applications.
Assist the family and the student to navigate the norms and practices, both social and academic, of the U.S. school system (e.g., report cards, Summer Semester) and community.
Work with families to gather information about their social and academic norms and practices and share this information with staff during established meetings (i.e., grade level meetings).
Explain the district Behavior Education Plan to students and families.
Provide social/emotional support for ELs, particularly those struggling with bridging school culture.
Help schools develop a system of culturally relevant family outreach.
In collaboration with school team, connect students/families with district and community resources (e.g., clinics, dental and eye care, free health events, academic tutoring, housing and employment support services).
Facilitate communication to outside agencies and relay recommendations of community-based services between staff and families.