FEDERALLY FUNDED:
The salary for this position is partially paid with federal funds. Federally funded positions are supplemental and therefore subject to federal funds.
ROLE AND PURPOSE:
The primary role of the World Languages Lead Specialist is to work directly with the Director of World Languages to provide leadership, collaboration, and coordination of all World Language Department programs and services. Additionally, the Lead Specialist will collaborate with district departments, campuses, and other World Language Department staff to enhance overall teacher effectiveness and student achievement for English Learners/EB students. The Lead Specialist will support ongoing program implementation, including curriculum development, instructional tools and resources, selection of instructional materials, professional learning, and coordination of special instructional programs and initiatives. Furthermore, the Lead Specialist will assist with the campus instructional program, climate, culture, and operations for Emergent Bilingual students.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education/Certification:
- Valid Texas teacher's certificate with credentials in ESL/Bilingual, preferred
- Master's degree from an accredited institution in curriculum and instruction or education leadership, preferred
- Mid-management or principal certification from an accredited institution, preferred
Experience:
- Minimum of five years of successful classroom teaching experience in ESL/Bilingual.
- Minimum of three years of successful leadership experience managing instructional projects and programs.
SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
- Thorough knowledge of best practices and high-yield strategies for students acquiring a second language.
- Thorough understanding of ESL/Bilingual programs and their effectiveness.
- Ability to provide leadership and a vision for comprehensive ESL/Bilingual education.
- Strong knowledge of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness.
- Capability to coordinate and lead staff development.
- In-depth understanding of technology and instructional applications.
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in implementing and interpreting policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to English Learners.
- Knowledge of district administrative policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of procedures, practices, and methods in planning, evaluating, and designing educational programs and services for English Learners.
- Ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with all levels of school staff, students, and stakeholders (internal and external).
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
I. INSTRUCTIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Apply research and data to enhance the content, sequence, and outcomes of teaching and learning in our ESL and Bilingual Programs.
- Stay informed about developments in instructional methodology, language development, learning theory, and curriculum trends.
- Provide guidance and leadership to campus and district staff on state standards, research, and evidence-based instructional practices in planning and designing instruction for ESL/Bilingual Programs.
- Model the design and facilitation of effective professional learning to support the overall implementation of the curriculum, use of technology tools, and effective teaching strategies, including job-embedded coaching, modeling, and demonstrations.
- Lead department staff in designing, developing, implementing, analyzing data and reports, and evaluating new instructional resources, tools, and materials to support classroom instruction.
- Coordinate cross-department programs and initiatives, including representing curriculum and instruction expectations related to curricular, extracurricular, summer school programs, and other strategic initiatives.
- Manage the instructional materials process based on state-issued proclamations through a systematic review and analysis process and schedule.
II. SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION CLIMATE
- Support a shared vision for the Department of World Languages and Arlington ISD.
- Consult and collaborate effectively with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, district staff, and other educational/community resources.
- Attend and participate in AISD department meetings and committees as required.
- Demonstrate high visibility and effective communication skills on campuses to support, monitor, and observe curriculum delivery, instructional practices, and professional development implementation.
- Apply effective problem-solving methods that prioritize customer service.
- Use excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
- Display a strong ability to work independently as a self-starter with strong time management skills.
- Participate as an active team member contributing to district, department, team, and individual goals.
- Engage with department leadership to develop collaborative processes that identify and create systems supporting the department's administrative functions, fostering efficiency, teamwork, and a professional work environment.
III. SCHOOL/ORGANIZATIONAL IMPROVEMENT
- Apply broad knowledge of curriculum content and ESL/Bilingual teaching strategies with specific content knowledge at multiple levels of instruction.
- Apply a thorough understanding of effective professional learning, including coaching and mentoring.
- Research innovative language programs and research-based strategies for emergent bilinguals.
- Demonstrate success in improving student achievement, as measured by local and state assessments and other district performance criteria.
- Collaborate with the Director of the Department of World Languages, district departments, and staff to review and analyze various sources of educator and student data to identify educator-learning needs and inform curricular and instructional decisions.
- Recommend policies, guidelines, and practices to overcome challenges that hinder system-wide improvements for ESL and Bilingual Programs.
- Engage district and campus staff in a cycle of continuous improvement, involving inquiry, action research, data analysis, planning, implementation, reflection, and evaluation.
- Work to align department support with classroom, campus, and district goals for student and educator learning, using data to monitor and measure its impact on performance.
IV. ADMINISTRATION AND FISCAL/FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
- Coordinate the acquisition of district resources, including instructional materials and other materials that support the implementation of instructional priorities and the district's professional learning plan.
- Prioritize, monitor, and coordinate local, federal, or grant funds.
- Develop administrative procedures and regulations to manage and implement policies established by federal and state law, SBOE rule, and local board policy in the area of Bilingual and ESL.
V. SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONS
- Articulate the district's mission, instructional philosophy, and curriculum implementation strategies to the community, and seek support and input to help achieve the district's mission.
- Participate as an effective team member contributing to district, department, and content goals.
- Research district policies, precedents, and current practices before taking action.
- Maintain confidentiality in all district-related matters.
VI. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Seek, accept, and respond to coaching and feedback from supervisors, staff, and peers.
- Set ongoing goals for professional growth to stay current with innovative and effective practices.
- Identify new research in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and language acquisition/development to inform decisions, and apply new knowledge and skills to enhance programming, campus support, and district operations.
- Maintain a network of professional colleagues, membership in professional associations, attendance at relevant conferences, and engagement with professional literature in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and language acquisition/development.
- Provide assistance, staff development, and support to both new and experienced teachers.
- Demonstrate skill in coaching and conflict resolution.
- Recognize and advance shared leadership by developing the capacity for leading and learning.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the Department of World Languages.
- Travel district-wide and occasionally out of district; work may include prolonged and irregular hours.
VIII. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist with recruitment, screening, selection, assignment, orientation, and dismissal of program staff.
- Effectively utilize the district's appraisal system with staff members under direct supervision.
- Demonstrate a commitment to personal growth by being adaptable and embracing a growth mindset to carry out the work.
- Provide coaching and development sessions with assigned staff.
- Foster continuous improvement among the professional staff.
- Lead and coordinate technical assistance to campus personnel, central office staff, and community agencies to promote overall performance and ongoing improvement.
- Secure consultants, specialists, and other community resources to help achieve department objectives.
- Support planning and delivery of effective professional development activities for English Learners and Second Language Learners.
IX. EQUIPMENT & SOFTWARE SKILLS:
- Personal computer, printer, phone, copier, scanner, and calculator.
- Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, etc.)
- Google Suite applications (Docs, G-Mail, Sheets, Slides, Drive, etc.)
- Online applications (Canva, etc.)
X. WORKING CONDITIONS:
MENTAL DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
- Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computers and peripherals; standard instructional equipment, carts.
- Posture: Moderate standing; occasional kneeling, squatting, bending, reaching and stooping
- Motion: Moderate walking
- Lifting: Regular light lifting and carrying (less than 20 pounds)
- Environment: Work inside and outside (exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather); exposure to noise.
- Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress, with frequent interruptions.
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
