Grade 5 Spanish Immersion Teacher – 1.0 FTE (temporary) – Atkinson K-5

Posting Timeline

PPS strongly encourages and recommends everyone who is able, to be vaccinated and remain current on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This job is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as received. Portland Public Schools reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any point during the posting period.

Current PPS probationary and contract professional educators are no longer eligible to fill vacancies which occur after July 31st.

Position Details

Portland Public Schools (PPS) is seeking talented people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to lead change and inspire PPS students. At PPS, every employee, despite having different roles, is an educator. We hope to attract talented educators who model the core PPS Educator Essentials. With the District’s focus on eliminating systemic racism and its adverse impact on student learning, we seek to hire individuals who bring to our district a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice.

The District is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in all its educational and employment activities. The District prohibits discrimination based on perceived or actual race; national or ethnic origin; color; sex; religion; age; sexual orientation; gender expression or identity; pregnancy; marital status; veteran’s status; familial status; economic status or source of income; mental or physical disability or perceived disability; or military service.

• 504 Coordinator: Marquita Guzman,mguzman@pps.net 971-393-8633
• ADA Coordinator: Jey Buno, jbuno@pps.net, 503-916-3360
• Title IX Program Manager: Liane O’Banion,lobanion@pps.net, 503-568-2646

Accessibility Statement

Conflict/Complaint Resolution Process

ABOUT ATKINSON

Atkinson Elementary School students and their families have a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Atkinson features a strong support for the arts, especially visual arts; and a rapidly expanding curriculum that incorporates sustainability practices, such as a native plant garden, a multicultural food garden and an ecologically friendly outdoor classroom. At Atkinson, we value community, diversity, learning and having fun! Atkinson School is a diverse learning community of children and adults that encourages family support and participation; values our differences and celebrate our commonalities; works together as creative, competent, compassionate learners; and provides a safe, caring, learning environment. To learn more about Atkinson, visit the school webpage: https://www.pps.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=3073

This is a temporary position from 1/06/2025 through 06/18/25. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

As an immersion teacher you must possess native or near native fluency. Immersion teachers must possess the skills, ability and eagerness to work with students, families, and other members of the Immersion teams and grade level teams at the building and district level to support student success. Desired candidates have appreciation and demonstrated understanding for the unique characteristics of the elementary level learner and second language acquisition models. Immersion teachers will develop lesson plans and teach elementary grade core content to students using English and the immersion language. Strong classroom management skills and parent and community involvement are expected. All teachers are responsible for student achievement, supervision, guidance, development and safety. PPS staff must follow Portland Public School policies, rules, regulations and performance standards set by the District as well as performance goals established for the individual.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

1. Plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instruction, providing materials which facilitate active learning; monitor student progress and adapt course content delivery methods in order to meet the needs of individual students; instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials, technologies and equipment to support instruction.
2. Promote a culture of high expectations, providing every student with high quality and culturally relevant instruction; support and implement the District’s Educational Racial Equity Policy; create a safe, welcoming classroom environment that reflects and supports the racial and ethnic diversity of the student population and community.
3. Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing variations within and across cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional and physical areas, diversity of cultures and communities; implement and insure a developmentally appropriate, challenging and high-standards learning environment.
4. Develop and implement instructional practices and strategies that include multiple methods of assessment, support students in meeting rigorous learning goals and engage and encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas.
5. Develop and implement effective classroom management strategies, providing a safe, secure and respectful learning environment; communicate student behavior expectations in a positive manner; convey reminders, rules and expectations with consistency and equity, while recognizing the unique qualities and characteristics of the individual.
6. Understand central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of curriculum; apply concepts to create meaningful learning experiences designed to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity and collaborative problem-solving.
7. Progress toward professional goals and contribute to school-wide goals through self-reflection and self-reporting, teamwork, parent/student surveys, meetings, record keeping, portfolios, peer collaboration and other measures and methods.
8. Establish standards, growth and learning goals for each student; develop SMART (Specific and strategic; Measurable; Action-oriented; Rigorous, realistic and results-focused; Timed and tracked) goals including use of baseline and progression data, identifying strategies, measures and evidence of progress standards; report on student progress throughout the school year.
9. Update and maintain accurate and complete records of student progress and development as required by school, district, state and federal policies, regulations and laws.
10. Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Incumbents must be properly licensed by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission for assignment as a Professional Educator – Teacher. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• All Immersion teacher candidates will be subject to language fluency assessment by the District.**
• Native or near native fluency.
• Writing proficiency in the immersion language (Mandarin Chinese requires proficiency in both simplified and traditional characters).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• ESL Endorsement.
• Master’s Degree.
• Significant experience teaching in the immersion language and culture.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Academic achievement standards that align to district goals and create a comprehensive, rigorous and coherent curricular program.
• Research-based instructional strategies and models for improving instructional practices.
• Existing and emerging education and instructional technologies and software.

Ability to:

• Advocate, model and implement Portland Public School’s Educational Racial Equity policy.
• Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Instruct and monitor students in the use of learning materials and equipment.
• Manage student behavior and maintain discipline in accordance with school, district and state policies, procedures and laws.
• Assign and grade class work, homework, projects, tests and assignments.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all learning activities.
• Prepare classroom for class activities.
• Provide a variety of learning materials and resources for use in educational activities.
• Plan, prepare and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials that facilitate active learning.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students and use information to adjust teaching strategies.
• Provide appropriate feedback on work.
• Encourage parent and community involvement.
• Provide student information to authorized individuals in a timely manner.
• Participate in appropriate professional growth and extracurricular activities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
• Utilize relevant technologies to support and differentiate instruction.
• Welcome and empower students and families, including underrepresented families of color and those whose first language may not be English, as essential partners in student education.
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students’ progress and development.
• Update records accurately and completely as required by laws, district policies and school regulations.
• Prepare required reports on students and activities.
• Participate in department, school, district and parent meetings.
• Communicate necessary information regularly to students, colleagues and caregivers regarding student progress and student needs.
• Observe and evaluate student’s performance and development.

ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENT: Elementary Multiple Subjects

COMPENSATION: $55,539 – $108,07 (Annual salary based on 1.0 FTE)

WORK YEAR: 193 days

FTE: 1.00 (40 hours per week)

Benefits Information

Portland Public Schools (PPS) offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees. Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, prescription, life and disability insurance, employee assistance program, 403(b) retirement savings plan and various leave and professional development programs. Depending on the insurance option selected by the employee, there may be an employee contribution toward insurance.

Portland Public Schools is a public employer and participates in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS/OPSRP). Eligible employees are required by statute to contribute 6% of salary on a pre-tax basis to OPSRP/IAP, after serving six months under a PERS employer.

For more information about additional benefits or compensation options by employee group, please visit our website at: https://www.pps.net/Page/1635

Read Full Description