The Executive Director of Language & Cultural Equity provides leadership, direction, and guidance to schools in a systemic effort to design and implement services for culturally and linguistically diverse students, parents and families. The Executive Director is responsible for providing the best possible opportunities for English Learners and students participating in Bilingual and Multicultural Education programs, with a focus on continuous achievement for all students and closing the achievement gap. The Director ensures compliance with all State and Federal Laws related to alternative language services, Department of Education Rules and Regulations, and APS Board of Education Policies, and oversees state and federal programs which fall under NMAC 6.32.2 regulations and Title III. The Executive Director works collaboratively with school administration to assure the educational needs of students are met through the development of a site Alternative Language Services (ALS) plan (including English Language Development services and bilingual services as relevant), and assures equal access to educational services implemented in the schools for all culturally and linguistically diverse students and second language learners.
- Oversee the design and implementation of the district’s English Learner (EL) and Bilingual programs; develop professional development models for improving instruction for administrators; support personnel and teachers; recruit and contract experts to consult and support administrators, resource staff, and teachers
- Plan, organize, manage, and direct the improvement of education for Pre-K-12 (ELs) throughout the district; create, enhance and expand the design of these initiatives; review and/or conduct educational research on effective instructional strategies and approaches that support culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students
- Develops, reviews, and approves various instructional models to support students at various English language proficiency levels as well as in Spanish, Native Languages and all World Languages offered by the district
- Oversees all department personnel including resource staff and Directors that support schools with innovative practices that meet the needs of CLD students while meeting compliance requirements
- Develops, implements and evaluates Title III programs that focus on closing the achievement gap for (ELs)
- Collaborates with instructional staff, administrators and other agencies/organizations to ensure the implementation of Bilingual and Multicultural Education (BME) and English Learner program goals and guidelines; communicates alternative language plans to all administrators in an effort to strengthen culturally responsive instruction and increase language proficiency and student academic achievement of all CLD students
- Organizes, coordinates, and monitors systemic efforts for the administration and compliance of the Title III NM Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan, in alignment with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
- Provides training, monitoring, and approvals for all budget requirements and expenditures for Title III and bilingual funding to maximize and align state and federal funding
- Directs programming, planning, and evaluation activities to improve efficiency and effectiveness of Title III and Bilingual program initiatives
- Ensures all Title III and BME programs are in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and policies; remains current on laws and requirements regarding each program and meets with staff to interpret, coordinate, monitor, and implement regulations
- Responsible for the annual submission of the BMEP program applications for all school site administrators with programs; providing support with planning, budget, allocation of resources, monitoring for fidelity, annual evaluation and audit requirements
- Responsible for the annual submission of the Title III Local Plan for the district and submission of Title III budgets for all school site administrators including APS charters; providing support with planning, budget, and allocation of resources
- Maintains records and documentation for fiscal and programmatic audit reviews and compliance monitoring under Title III and NMAC 6.32.2
- Oversees the leadership development and advancement for all department personnel
- Conducts performance management, evaluations of department personnel
- Oversees the process for the selection and staffing of department
- Administers, evaluates and monitors all aspects of Title III and Bilingual programming district-wide
- Interprets and administers the policies and regulations of the District and the State with respect to the administration of Title III, bilingual programming and certification for the State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy for Native American languages and the development
- Uses and maintains all data to oversee the review and analysis of current programs and services to meet the needs of CLD students
- Advises Superintendent’s instructional cabinet and leadership team on matters related to the education of (ELs) and other culturally and linguistically diverse students
- Prepares and provides updates for the APS Board of Education regarding programmatic and financial direction for bilingual programs, bilingual seals, and services for English Language Learners
- Oversees the implementation of Bilingual program pathways K-12, assuring services within each district Learning Zone that span across the k-12 spectrum, to ensure the continuity of bilingual program model services
- Communicates and collaborates with the NM Public Education Department and institutions of higher learning in providing direction and leadership for the implementation of educational services for CLD students; informs administrators and teachers on current research and best practices in bilingual education, other alternative language services, English as a Second Language programs, and multicultural education
- Directs the use of all educational standards (ex. / CCSS, TESOL, WIDA, SLD etc.) in conjunction with the use of high-quality pedagogical practices for bilingual programs and the teaching of second language learners
- Directs and oversees the compliance of legal requirements, including coordination with legal counsel on legal inquiries, regarding the implementation of equal education for CLD students
- Oversees the district’s Teaching English Language Learners (TELL) for all role groups including nurses, teachers, secretaries, EAs and all certified staff within one year of employment including verifying, and recording compliance by all employees in the program to meet compliance with OCR and the Carbajal Settlement agreement
- Oversees the department of translation and interpretation in order to assure that stakeholders have appropriate services in their designated language, which includes emergencies for the district and official meetings such as IEPs
- Directs the selection of instructional materials to support the instruction of culturally and linguistically diverse students
- Organizes collaboration with other district departments in providing and evaluating appropriate services to teachers and students in the district related to alternative language services such as ELD services for English Learners and best instructional pedagogy and programs for CLD students
- Serves as liaison between the district and Local, State, and Federal agencies, university, colleges, the business community, parents, charters, private/non-private schools, interested groups and/or individuals regarding Title III and Bilingual programming
- Chairs and participates on district committees and task forces on matters related to CLD students and families
- Level Three-B Pre-K-12 Administrator Licensure
- Working knowledge of program development related to NMAC 6.32.2 Educational Standards for- Bilingual
- Multicultural Education Guidelines for Implementing Multicultural Education
- Demonstrated success in program development for the education of English Language Learners
- Ability to multitask and direct multiple programs at once
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
- Flexibility, organization, decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Interpersonal skills with diverse populations, in-person and on the telephone
- Ability to meet deadlines, work on multiple projects and coordinate the work of others
- Knowledge of word processing, database and spreadsheet software
- Knowledge of APS Student Information Systems and STARS reporting related to second language learners and
- bilingual programming
- Ability to prepare and deliver written and oral presentations, records, and reports using a variety of media
- Master’s Degree,, Bilingual endorsement &/or TESOL endorsement
- Eight years combined experience teaching bilingual or ESL programs and supervision and administration (preferably in a bilingual setting)
- Knowledge and experience with ESSA, Title III Laws and NMAC 6.32.2 regulations related to Bilingual programming at a district level
- Demonstrated proven track record of effective administrative leadership in previous positions
- Highly effective communication skills both verbal and written
- Proficient in English and another language other than English
- Skilled in evaluating educational program
- Skilled in setting long and short-range goals
- Experienced in developing and operating multi-million-dollar budgets and programs
Contact: Gabriel Antonio Gonzales at / gonzales_gab@aps.edu
www.aps.edu District Support application. A cover letter, resume and any other supporting documents MUST be submitted prior to 4:00 PM on the closing date of the advertisement for the application to be considered complete.
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