Dual Language Coordinator

The Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools serves 1600 students ranging from PreK-12 and is a free, open-enrollment public charter school. Over 92% of our students are Latinx. Our school system consists of Guadalupe Centers High School, Guadalupe Centers Middle School, and Guadalupe Centers Elementary School. Our system grew out of Guadalupe Centers’ educational programming. Guadalupe Centers is the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the US since 1919. Our roots in our community run deep.  

There are many benefits to working at GCCS with some of them being:

• Student and Families: GCCS teachers strive to form strong relationships with our students and their families. Our organization grew out of Guadalupe Centers, the longest continuously operating agency serving the Latinx community in the US. These community ties are integral to who we are. 

• Staff Autonomy: Teachers at GCCS appreciate having the autonomy to try proven and new approaches in their classroom and are encouraged to innovate. The experience of teachers is valued and they are given space to collaborate and share their best practice with each other. 

• Coaching and Development: Staff at GCCS collaborate with their leaders on their growth and development. GCCS teachers set a professional development goal in collaboration with their coaches, and colleagues, and in district initiatives. All staff are aligned on working on their development over the course of the year.

Summary: The Dual Language Program Coordinator (English/Spanish) is responsible for aligning and coordinating dual language programs at GCCS, providing leadership and expertise on dual language education practices, providing professional development and coaching to administrators and teachers, and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders. The Dual Language Program Coordinator will report to the Director of English Language Development. S/he will have a high level of knowledge about research-based instructional strategies, second language acquisition, Spanish language arts standards, curriculum and assessment, and experience with modeling, coaching, and providing professional development in the area of dual language education. The Program Specialist will have excellent oral and written skills, be capable of managing multiple tasks, and work well with diverse groups of people. S/he will be bilingual and bi-literate in English and Spanish.

Reports To: Director of English Language Development

Required Skills/Abilities and Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of the planning and the gradual implementation of the dual language program at GCCS
• Ensure district-wide alignment of dual language programs, grades K-12.
• Research national trends, guiding principles, and best practices in dual language program development, implementation, and evaluation, and communicate information to central office personnel, principals, teachers, and community members.
• Communicate frequently with parents to update them on Dual Language Immersion Programs happenings, identify community resources, and help parents support their students’ academic growth.
• Works with school administrators to create criteria for teacher recruitment and hiring and serves on interview committees.
• Develops and implements a training program for all staff on the school’s Dual Language model and approach, and on the fundamentals of Dual Language Immersion Programs.
• Develops a list of community language resources (e.g. available speakers, venues for field trips) that can facilitate authentic use of target languages.
• Provide leadership in the identification, design, dissemination, implementation, and evaluation of promising and best practices in dual language programs.
• Develop grade-level expectations for achievement in Spanish and English.
• Collaborate with teachers in the development of or purchase of curricula and assessments aligned with Spanish language arts standards.
• Coordinate the inventory, ordering, and maintenance of instructional materials in Spanish.
• Develop a Dual Language Program Guide.
• Lead the recruitment, selection, and retention of bilingual, bi-literate teachers.
• Provide instructional coaching and modeling to administrators and teachers to support the development of high-quality instructional pedagogy.
• Provide feedback on unit plans, lesson plans, and formative assessments that align with the MLS and Spanish language arts and mathematics curriculum.
• Promote the use of emerging technologies to enhance teacher content knowledge and pedagogy for a diverse student population.
• Coordinate sharing among teachers of best practices in dual language instruction, within and across schools.
• Coordinates the recruitment of new students and conducts informational sessions at schools and in the community for prospective families.
• Analyze student achievement data to inform decision-making.
• Engage in networking with outside school districts and regional Dual Language Immersion Program schools.
• Ensures that program communications are up-to-date (website, video, brochure)
• Communicate with the school and other District staff to advocate for the needs of the Dual Language Immersion Program students.
• Monitor dual language program compliance with any applicable federal and state program requirements.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum five years of dual language leadership experience, three years as a lead teacher, administrative experience, and experience as a professional development coordinator/facilitator
• Must possess the appropriate teaching license with an ESL and/or bilingual endorsement in the grade level being taught
• Knowledge of second language acquisition, dual language education/best practices, curriculum, instruction, and assessment
• Skill in the application of contemporary principles and practices of teaching, good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, and skill in exercising sound and professional judgment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Native Spanish speakers and bilingual candidates preferred

Physical Demands: 

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout the school and classroom. 
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the school and other facilities as needed.

We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for professional growth and development. Suppose you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of students facing challenges and are dedicated to their educational success. In that case, we encourage you to apply for the position of Alternative Setting Facilitator.

Application Process: 

Please complete an application which may be found at https://www.gck12.org/o/gc/page/work-for-gccs If a position requires a degree, please upload a copy of transcripts and/or degree certification to your application. Other attachments such as a cover letter or resume can also be uploaded and attached to the application.

Guadalupe Centers, Inc. conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities’ individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, who fully and actively supports equal access for all qualified applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination.