POSITION:                       English Language Learner Specialist (K-12)  

POSITION TERM:             10 Month       

REPORTS TO:                   Literacy Coordinator         

Date:                                 September 2021      

Our Mission:

The mission of the Agora Cyber Charter School is to provide an innovative, intensive academic preparation that inspires and educates students to achieve the highest levels of academic knowledge and skills. Agora embraces a collaborative partnership between teachers and parents in order to empower students to reach extraordinary heights. Extraordinary results require extraordinary efforts.  With commitment, hard work, consistency and responsibility, every student will meet the challenge of mastering high expectations.

Our Vision:

The vision of Agora Cyber Charter School is to prepare all students to achieve their highest potential through actively engaging in their own schooling, achieving their personal learning goals and being ready to reach post-secondary success as lifelong learners.

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Literacy Coordinator, the English Language Learner (ELL) Specialist identifies students in need of services and provides support for students who are identified as English Language Learners in a variety of settings including individual and small-group instruction and consultation and push-in support with classroom teachers.

The Specialist provides leadership in the development, coordination, and support of curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning related to English Language Development (ELD). The Specialist coordinates school-wide activities, disseminating and receiving information related to ELD; the Specialist serves as a resource to school staff, providing support and guidance based on their subject area knowledge and expertise; and provides direct instruction to ELL of the linguistic features of English to non-native speakers. The Specialist is responsible for federal and state reporting for the school and serves as the point of contact for all matters related to ELL programming and Title III and related federal mandates.

Essential Functions:

(Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Conduct program reviews, revise and implement curriculum frameworks as needed to ensure alignment of Agora’s ELD program to federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Identify English language learner (ELL) students using district criteria
• Plan, organize, and provide instruction in English that meet state and federal standards
• Select and design teaching resources for English learners
• Provide instructional adaptations/modifications to assist English learners
• Conduct effective assessments to identify levels of language proficiency, acquisition, and content learning
• Coordinate, schedule, and administer WIDA/ACCESS tests and provide accommodations for ELLs on local assessments
• Monitor academic achievement of reclassified former English learners
• Participate in individualized education plan (IEP) preparation for English Learners receiving special education assistance/services
• Provide leadership in the development of ELL programming and scaffolded content instruction through data analysis of ELL performance and knowledge of current ELL research.
• Act as a resource for colleagues by modeling instructional strategies, identifying and developing instructional resources, and providing professional development related to the needs of ELL students
• Provide school staff with resources/professional activities to promote understanding and sensitivity toward all cultures
• Provide appropriate information and services to the English Learner’s family
• Attend and/or lead ELL meetings within the school and in the wider community. Lead ELL parent meetings and other events. Ensure school materials are presented in the family’s native language.
• Fulfill Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) compliance requirements related to this position
• Maintain complete and accurate records of student progress and evidence of growth and progress
• Maintain and share daily schedule inclusive of EL support, individual instruction, small group instruction, consultation and Title III Consortium opportunities for professional learning
• Communicate effectively with students, administrators, parents, school staff, and members of the school community
• Travel as needed to attend WIDA/ACCESS testing and provide state testing support
• Performs other duties as assigned

Competencies:

• Ethical conduct
• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, including online teaching and differentiation strategies
• Knowledge of best practices for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and learner development in English Language Development
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis, and data-informed problem-solving cycles
• Strategic thinking and planning skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational, time management, and written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organization, communication, and presentation & project management skills
• Excellent attention to detail and a focus on efficiency
• Strong technological skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office products

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• PA English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist PK-12 certification

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in education or a related field
• 3+ years experience in teaching English to speakers of other languages

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional virtual environment.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones and photocopiers.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Declaration:

This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.  The employee in this position will be required to follow any

other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his/her administrator(s) and/or supervisor(s).

Agora Cyber Charter School is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.