Adult ESOL Program Coordinator

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world.

We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low‑income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors.

A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

The Education Department supports We Are CASA’s multi‑generation approach to education through engaging youth and their families as a whole in the attainment of educational opportunities for all. All across its footprint, We Are CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and parents, and oversees We Are CASA’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within We Are CASA.

The department also supports CASA’s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with We Are CASA’s Department of Politics & Communications.

The Education Department’s Life Skills ESOL (in English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program uses Popular Education to address the educational needs of its adult learners. Lessons are focused upon concrete and practical everyday experiences. Students, as adults, come to class with experiences they are encouraged to share and peer teach while performing tasks. Class materials are geared towards student’s life experiences and promote both civic engagement and community empowerment.

The classes also serve to empower students to make positive and long-lasting social change within their community in coordination with We Are CASA’s organizing and advocacy efforts in the fight for immigration reform, workers’ rights, universal equality, and social justice.

The ESOL Program Coordinator will perform a range of duties to ensure task‑based English language acquisition, promote civic engagement, and encourage integration of adult speakers of other languages. Works directly with the Education Team to execute high quality ESOL programming. Oversees all program activities necessary to maintain a consistently successful and effective adult ESOL program and other activities assigned by the ESOL Manager.

• Support the development and implementation of in‑classroom advocacy tools that are aligned with We Are CASA’s progressive education model.
• Track teacher lesson plans and provide feedback as needed.
• Train instructors in Popular Education and ensure appropriate application in the classroom and instruction materials.
• Conduct teacher orientation; plan and facilitate teachers’ meetings and trainings.
• Assist with the selection process for new teacher candidates and program volunteers.
• Ensure teachers and volunteers understand rules and operational procedures.
• Observe teachers in the classroom and provide feedback after observation (on file).
• Create a space for dialogue between/with teachers to ensure a pleasant workplace. Teachers and Volunteers should feel they are a part of a team working to create the best learning environment for We Are CASA students.
• Maintain constant/open communication with teachers and volunteers. Conduct teacher survey to obtain teacher feedback.
• Participate in staff meetings between coordinators, manager, and other CASA staff.
• Organize and…