STIPEND OPPORTUNITY: Adult Ed ESL Instructor (SY24-25)

REPORTS TO: Director, BPS Adult Education

ACADEMIC/NON-ACADEMIC: Academic

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Adult Ed Instructor position resides in the Department of Adult Education. The mission of BPS Adult Ed is to provide a variety of flexible programs to ensure that Boston residents have access to quality instruction, job training, and college and career advising. BPS Adult Ed annually serves about 800 adult students who want to learn English, participate in vocational training, and/or graduate from high school. Day and evening, as well as in-person and online programs, are offered. Adult ESOL classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Additionally, eachers receive one hour of prep time per evening. Staff meetings are held twice per semester at 6:00. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teach: English as a Second Language

1. Provide English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction to English Language Learners.
2. Collaborate and communicate with the school’s leadership and student support team to ensure ELL students receive academic and social-emotional assistance.
3. Prepare for and assist with the organization of student orientations twice per year.
4. Prepare for and assist with the organization and delivery of ELL student advisory meetings, including transition meetings for those ready to transition out of ELL services.
5. Assist in student retention and engagement efforts by maintaining communication with students who are absent from class and communicating issues with the student support team.
6. Plan and deliver lessons utilizing the Massachusetts English Language Standards for Adults and deliver appropriate lessons for varying levels of English proficiency. Demonstrate cultural proficiency and use effective and culturally-relevant instructional practices.
7. Integrate technology into the classroom as an instructional tool and for personal productivity.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of and fluency with the Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education.
9. Assist the administration team in prcotoring all mandated state and local assessments for English language learners whenever appropriate, including DESE pre and post-tests.
10. Attend district and state-sponsored professional development opportunities sufficient to stay current with changes in ELL instruction and improvements in ELL teaching strategies.
11. Maintain and submit accurate attendance and records on student growth and achievement using the program’s SIS.
12. Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a rigorous, joyful, and safe environment.
13. Attend staff meetings and read weekly staff memos in order to stay informed about program and student issues and events.
14. Use the school’s SIS, ALMA, to record student grades and attendance.

CORE COMPETENCIES: Using the Massachusetts Professional Standards for Teachers of Adult Speakers of Other Languages, the Department of Adult Education has identified priority skills and abilities that all Adult Ed teachers should possess:

1. The ESOL teacher understands current theories and principles of second language acquisition and applies this knowledge to promote adult learners’ English language development.
2. The ESOL teacher understands the components of language and the structure and conventions of English and uses this knowledge to inform instruction.
3. The ESOL teacher understands the importance of culture in language learning and creates a culturally responsive and sustaining classroom where students’ diverse backgrounds, identities, strengths, and challenges are valued and incorporated into an inclusive learning environment.
4. The ESOL teacher designs coherent, rigorous instructional units and lessons that include measurable learning outcomes, optimize student interaction, support the needs of all learners, are guided by SLA principles, and are aligned to the MA ELPS.
5. The ESOL teacher uses a variety of formative and summative assessments to inform and evaluate instruction, develop differentiated learning experiences, measure student learning, and promote learner metacognition.
6. The ESOL teacher facilitates language learning by using various rigorous instructional methods and relevant materials that optimize student engagement, encourage productive struggle, foster critical thinking, and address diverse needs, interests, and readiness levels.
7. The ESOL teacher engages in a continuous improvement process that includes ongoing reflection, self-assessment, goal setting, and high-quality professional development in order to gain greater teaching expertise, develop new instructional practices, increase learner engagement, and improve student outcomes.

QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED:

1. Education: Hold a Bachelor’s degree.
2. Hold a valid Massachusetts Teaching License in ESL at the appropriate grade level or equivalent.
3. Ability to meet the Standards of Effective Teaching established by MA DESE ACLS as outlined above.
4. Current authorization to work in the United States – Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.
5. Able to model excellent spoken and written English for students learning English in school.
6. Documented ability to teach engaging, organized online lessons that are accessible to students with diverse levels of digital literacy.

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED:

1. Experience teaching in an urban setting.
2. BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS’ official languages: Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, & Somali.
3. Prior experience working with adult learners.

Terms: BTU, Stipend

COMPENSATION RANGE: BTU Overtime rate, $56.81/hr, 8 hours per week, 15 weeks per semester.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Read Full Description