Culturally Linguistically Diverse Instructional Coach - Distinctive Schools

Title: Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Instructional Coach
Location: CICS Prairie- 11530 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
Reports To: Principal
Salary: Starting at $66,000, commensurate with experience
Employee Type: Regular Full Time
Start Date: Semptember 2024

Distinctive Schools creates diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning. We support all learners to be engaged, curious, and to achieve their full potential. Our students become confident advocates, creative problem-solvers, and collaborative leaders.

Position Overview

The Bilingual Program / Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Instructional Coach (CLD-IC) is an exemplary educator who plays a critical role in supporting culturally and linguistically diverse students develop English language proficiency and meet rigorous academic goals which in turn help the school reach its student achievement goals. This person balances their schedule between three important roles: as a bilingual teacher, program coordinator, and instructional coach.

The primary goals of the CLD Instructional Coach are to:

1. Coordinate an exemplary Bilingual/CLD program model;
2. Provide effective instruction to student caseload;
3. Deepen teacher understanding and implementation of curriculum to ensure rigorous and engaging instruction for CLD learners

The CLD-IC spends a significant portion of the day providing high-quality and rigorous language development-focused instruction in a learner-centered environment. They serve as a model for their peers and devote time to developing individual teachers’ professional practice, while also maintaining local, state and federal compliance for English Learners. The CLD-IC is an advocate for equitable and high-quality instruction for all culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Responsibilities

Culture

• Maintain a student-centered perspective in decision making
• Believe that all students and teachers can learn and can achieve great things
• Contribute to the equity work of the campus and network and engage in culturally responsive decision making
• Build and foster a culture of belonging through positive and professional teacher-coach relationships
• Honor teacher voice and autonomy
• Cultivate a strengths-based, equity focused mindset
• Celebrate teacher growth and development
• Advocate for equitable and high-quality instruction for all culturally and linguistically diverse students

Bilingual Teacher 50%

• Build strong relationships with students and families and colleagues
• Maintain an organized and welcoming environment that provides students with a sense of belonging, joy, hope, and safety
• Communicate frequently and consistently with students and families in Spanish and English
• Implement best practices in alignment with DS Model and maintain pace with grade level expectations
• Use core instructional tools to design, prepare and deliver dynamic lesson aligned to grade-level standards that engage students in rigorous learning experiences
• Provide direct Bilingual and ESL services and instruction to CLD students in push-in/pull-out groups and co-taught classrooms
• Collaborate and co-teach with classroom teachers on the implementation of the WIDA Standards in their practice
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress and development
• Analyze and use assessment data to design appropriate responses to support students in mastering grade level standards
• Collaborate with colleagues to support student growth and achievement
• Welcome peers, campus and network leaders, and outside visitors for classroom visits and observations

Program Coordination 30%

• Carry out all required tasks, professional development, and program coordination for ELPTs as determined by the Office of Language and Culture in Chicago Public Schools
• Ensure campus Bilingual program is aligned with local, state, and federal guidelines
• Update EL program information for all CLD students in CPS student information system
• Participate in campus Problem Solving Meeting and student IEP meetings when appropriate
• Co-create CLD teacher schedules based on caseload size, make-up, and needs
• Determine CLD placement and services for ELs
• Collaborate with CLD teachers to report quarter progress for CLD students in grade level progress report state-mandated assessment schedules
• Partner with campus operations team to distribute parent notification letter of services, update student folders, and to schedule & administer language screeners for incoming kindergarteners and new students
• Plan and conduct the Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC) elections and schedule quarterly meetings to help inform families about the program and to support families as needed
• Ensure state-mandated assessment accommodations are followed for CLD students and proctor as needed within designed schedule
• Coordinate the organization and administration of the ACCESS test and required applicable state-mandated English Language Proficiency screeners within the designated timeframe and submit required reports
• Support preparation and implementation efforts for program audits and visits
• Collaborate with special education staff to ensure that ELs with IEPs receive appropriate services
• Collaborate with the school administration in all areas related to Bilingual / CLD program
• Implement network, region, and campus initiatives and priorities
• Facilitate CLD team meetings

Instructional Coaching 15%

• Area of Focus: 1:1 and Team/Group Coaching Cycles
• Move the performance of teams through data analysis, goal-setting, planning, implementing strategy, and monitoring, and providing specific feedback
• Analyze data in order to identify strengths and address and act upon areas of focus
• Support teachers in using WIDA Standards, Can-Dos, and other key information
• Engage in student-focused coaching cycle towards an established team goal that leads to improved instructional practices and increase student growth and achievement
• Provide support to grade level colleagues in navigating, accessing, and analyzing English Learner measures and tools
• Serve as a model for skills, strategies, and tools to support CLD students
• Curate and share resources that enhance classroom instruction and student achievement for ELs
• Provide supports for new CLD team members in carrying out the DS Bilingual & CLD Model
• Implement and monitor action steps as determined in the campus growth plan
• Leverage use of video to support coaching and self-reflection
• Utilize Whetsone to document feedback, coaching priorities, action steps, and accomplishments
• Dedicate and schedule time for instructional coaching in alignment with the DS Instructional Coaching Model and in partnership with the Assistant Principal and/or Principal
• Perform other duties as assigned

Instructional Leadership 5%

• Meet with the Assistant Principal/Principal weekly to review coaching cycles, receive feedback, and make mid-course corrections immediately
• Meet with the designated member of the Academic Team as requested
• Participate in all required professional development
• Lead with equity-driven, evidence based practices
• Serve as a member of the school’s Instructional Leadership Team and perform other ILT duties
• Contribute to the development of and implementation of the campus growth plan
• Participate in all network, regional, and campus based instructional coach professional development
• Contribute to the design, planning, and facilitation of New Teacher Institute, Welcome Week, Regional Collaboration Days, and campus professional development

Requirements (minimum)

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Qualifications

• Valid Professional Educator License or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI)
• Valid Bilingual Spanish Endorsement or equivalent in state of employment (IL or MI)
• 5 years of lead classroom teaching experience in bilingual related field
• Fluent in Spanish with the ability to instruct students in English and Spanish with speed and accuracy
• Technology demands:
• Ability to review and analyze student and campus data from multiple sources
  • Proficient with cloud based software solutions (Google Suite)
  • Ability to learn digital tools and and programs as needed for the position
  • Utilize Whetstone to support coaching documentation
• Travel as required for training, professional development, and collaboration
• Must obtain an average of ‘Effective’ rating according to the DS Teaching Framework for 2 consecutive years at DS in all domains or equivalent from outside organization
• Must attend DS Summer PD Institute
• Must be willing to work an extended academic calendar year of 11 months

Physical demands

Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 20% sitting, 50% walking, and 30% standing

Benefits

• 25+ Paid holidays & 10 days PTO annually (in addition to summer break for educators/campus positions)
• 12 weeks family paid leave
• Comprehensive Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 403b match
• Fully match up to 3%
• 50% match up to 5%
• Professional development including tuition reimbursement
• Gym and wellness discounts
• And more

Description Disclaimer: Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

EEO:

Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.

Distinctive Schools is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Distinctive Schools will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact talent@distinctiveschools.org or call 773.828.4191