Director of EL / ESOL Services

Reports To: Principal
Employment Type: Full-time, 12-month

Bridges PCS is seeking an EL/ESOL leader and will consider candidates at the Manager or Director level based on qualifications and experience. One position will be filled, with title, compensation, and scope of responsibility aligned to the selected candidate’s experience. 

The Role

Reporting to the Principal, the Director of EL/ESOL Services leads program improvement, coaches teachers, and supervises staff. The Associate Director takes broader responsibility for program outcomes, professional learning, and staffing and resource recommendations, with a focus on coaching and supervision rather than a regular student caseload.  This is a 12 month position.

Program Leadership and Service Delivery

• Provide schoolwide leadership for PK–5 EL/ESOL instruction, curriculum, and professional development. Set program priorities and lead improvement in collaboration with the Principal.
• Lead a comprehensive program that supports English language acquisition and academic achievement for all English learners.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of service delivery and develop staffing, scheduling, curriculum, and resource recommendations for the Principal.
• Oversee data collection and analysis. Use language proficiency and academic achievement data to set program goals, evaluate outcomes, and lead instructional improvement.
• Oversee compliance systems, required documentation, reporting, and deadlines relating to English learners. Identify concerns and coordinate corrective action with the Principal.
• Oversee the coordination and administration of required language proficiency and academic assessments to inform placement, progress monitoring, and program exit decisions.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of language acquisition support plans in collaboration with EL staff and classroom teachers.
• Focus on coaching, supervision, and program leadership rather than carrying a regular student caseload.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of data for required reports, including applicable state, Department of Education, census, grant, and annual reporting.
• Regularly report program outcomes to the Principal and bring recommendations for improving instruction, staffing, and services.
• High Intensity Tutoring (HIT) Management: Manage and coordinate the HIT program. Review students' data to determine eligibility. Share provider updates with the appropriate school leaders. Complete reporting requirements and submissions to OSSE.
  

Instruction and Staff Support

• Collaborate with the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) to integrate effective language acquisition instruction into classrooms across content areas.
• Lead teacher coaching, classroom observations, and feedback. Model language-development strategies across content areas and support implementation of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework.
• Lead collaborative planning to align accessible instruction with Common Core Standards and students’ language-development needs.
• Lead the development, selection, and evaluation of EL curriculum and instructional materials. Maintain professional resources reflecting current EL and UDL research.
• Plan and lead schoolwide professional learning to strengthen instruction for multilingual learners.
• Supervise and evaluate EL staff and additional staff as assigned by the Principal. Set clear expectations, provide ongoing feedback, and support professional growth.
  
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Family and Community Engagement

• Lead family engagement within the EL program, maintain communication with families, facilitate parent workshops, and represent the school in the community.
• Use culturally responsive communication and engagement strategies with students, staff, and families. Build shared ownership of program goals and involve others in solving problems.
  

School Culture

• Create and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for students.
• Communicate respectfully with students, staff, and families at all times.
• Model, practice, and discuss respectful, unbiased, and effective communication with students.
• Meet other school culture expectations as assigned.
  
  

Professional Responsibilities 

• Adhere to the 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. workday, attend work regularly, and follow all attendance policies.
• Be on time for classes, duties, team meetings, and professional development activities. Communicate about and plan for absences in advance with teaching teams and the Principal.
• Participate in weekly Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings. Come prepared to share data, ideas, student work, materials, and feedback and to facilitate sessions or discussions.
• Participate in two weeks of summer professional development in August before students return.
• Seek additional professional development opportunities aligned with personal and schoolwide professional learning goals.
• Read school information, adhere to all deadlines, and respond to emails within 24 hours or the next business day.
• Attend and participate in school events outside regular school hours.
• Perform other professional duties as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications:

• A master’s degree in a related field is required.
• At least five years of relevant education experience, including direct EL instruction and at least three years of leadership, coaching, or supervisory experience, is required. Teaching and leadership experience may overlap.
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish is required.
• ESL/ELL certification is preferred.
• Knowledge of EL regulations, second language acquisition, and current research in EL instruction.
• Proficiency using Google Documents.
• Citizenship, residency, or a work visa in the United States is required.
• Strong skills in partnering with families and communicating effectively with a diverse group of colleagues, parents, families, and community members.
• Commitment to meeting the needs of a diverse student population and using culturally responsive communication and engagement strategies.
• A record of teamwork, community involvement, and commitment to ongoing learning.
• Excellent time-management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.
• A passion for urban public schools and adherence to high professional and ethical standards.
  The ideal candidate has knowledge and experience teaching in an elementary school ESL program; exhibits strong organizational and communication skills; is compassionate; provides collaborative, open-minded leadership; and is knowledgeable about recent research in second language acquisition and EL education.
  

SALARY & BENEFITS

$95,000.00 - $110,000.00

Salary is based on educational level, certification(s), and years of experience. 

A $2000 add-on will be awarded to those with a valid, relevant DC certification. 

The successful candidate will be contracted yearly.  Employment will be renewed according to evaluations and staff interest. Child care and health savings plans, pre-tax deduction for Metro, bike racks, and regular staff engagement and wellness activities. Staff lounge and lactation room for nursing mothers. Health benefits (medical & dental), disability insurance, and a retirement plan: 401 (k) with a 4% match or the continuation of the DCPS retirement plan.

To ensure safety for all students, all staff members will be fingerprinted. Background checks will be conducted on all school staff prior to their service as employees.  For more information about the school, please visit www.bridgespcs.org