Dual Language Spanish Teacher

POSITION OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools currently has three Dual Language Programs, which are housed at Joseph Metcalf School, E.N. White School and Kelly School. In the 2014-2015 school year the Holyoke Public Schools established our first dual language program at the Joseph Metcalf School. Holyoke Public Schools continues to expand our programming to support our vision of “a pathway for every student.” In 22-23, Metcalf will be a full PK-8 program, while we expand a grade level each year at both EN White and Kelly.

The goals of the program are for children to become fluent speakers, readers and writers of English and Spanish. Students will become bilingual and biliterate and achieve grade level standards in both program languages.  Additionally, they will be able to build friendships with children of other cultures while sharing their own cultural backgrounds and language experiences. We aim to achieve full bi-literacy, bilingualism and biculturalism through our 50/50 two way model, in which students learn half of the day in English and half of the day in Spanish.

DUTIES:

• Understand the core purposes of dual language immersion program and the research behind the program’s effectiveness
• Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.
• Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students and employs a variety of instructional techniques and media.
• Teaches reading, writing, social studies, mathematics, science according to Massachusetts Curriculum Standards and materials compatible with the district’s instructional focus
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with peer teacher to ensure continuity between daily Spanish and English instruction
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
• Instruct students using strategies conducive to language development, such as sheltered instruction, cooperative learning, and inquiry based learning. 
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and – in harmony with the goals – establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Strive to implement by instruction and action the district’s philosophy of education, instructional goals, and objectives.
• Assess the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provide progress reports as required.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Make provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested.
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and, cooperatively with department heads, evaluate their job performance.
• Strive to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committees as required.
• Other duties as assigned by principal/district leader

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree, required; Master’s Degree, preferred
• Ability to instruct fully in Spanish
• A strong understanding of second language acquisition
• Commitment to ensuring academic, social emotional, and cultural competence success for all students
• Experience working in an urban setting and with diverse student populations, preferred
• Knowledge and experience with Dual Language instruction, preferred

          Required license(s):

• Early Childhood PreK-2 or Elementary 1-6,
• with SEI Endorsement and/or Bilingual endorsement