Dual Language Spanish Teacher - 3rd Grade

TITLE:

Dual Language Elementary (3rd Grade)

LOCATION:

Frances Willard

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic, 24% African American, 9% White, and 6% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees including more than 1,800 teachers.

JOB GOAL:

The Dual Language Elementary Spanish Teacher position instructs in Spanish to both English-speaking students and Spanish-speaking students. Within an integrated classroom both groups of students are presented with academic instruction which is delivered in Spanish. Social and academic learning occurs in an environment that values the languages and cultures of all students and is expected to create a dual-language immersion classroom environment.

In partnership with a Dual Language English Teacher fifty-percent of classroom instruction is provided in English, and fifty-percent of classroom instruction is provided in Spanish. Each teacher speaks only in the designated language and communicates using a range of engaging strategies to promote student understanding and language development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

* Develop, plan, organize and instruct students using strategies conducive to dual-language immersion curriculum that is in support of the Kansas core curriculum content standards.

* Maintain records indicating progress of the student and assist with the evaluation and assessment of students.

* Establishes and maintains standards of student behavior needed to achieve a functional learning atmosphere in the classroom by providing positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviors and modifying unacceptable behaviors.

* Evaluates academic and social growth of students, prepares report cards, and keeps appropriate records to include attendance reports, checklists, and other recordkeeping activities as necessary.

* Communicate regularly with the parents to nurture a supportive and cooperative relationship between home and school.

* Recommend instructional materials to support the Bilingual Program.

* Summarize, interpret, and disseminate current developments in bilingual programs through reading professional journals, participating in professional development, and involvement in professional organizations.

* Provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive classroom climate that encourages student responsibility, using positive motivation, clear classroom routines, challenging instructional strategies, and effective classroom management techniques.

* Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION:

* Meet Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) licensure requirements for teaching Elementary.

* Have an ESOL endorsement, an ESOL endorsement plan on file, or be willing to obtain this endorsement within 3 years of employment.

* Must be bilingual (English/Spanish). Strong classroom management skills and attention to detail.

* Ability to work with professional colleagues, families/students and the general public.

* Ability to instruct and relate to non-English speaking students from varying backgrounds and academic skill levels.

* Academic preparation or teaching experience with English Language Learners.

* Excellent organization and planning skills.

COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATION:

Maintains communication with school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students.

Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

LANGUAGE

SKILLS:

Ability to read and analyze and interpret general professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, general curriculum and learning theories, correspondence, and protocols. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff, parents, students, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities…