Beginning 2025-2026

Position Overview

The Fort Madison Community School District is seeking an English Language Learner (ELL) teacher to provide specialized instruction to students whose primary language is not English.

This teacher will work with students focusing on developing their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in English. This will enable students to succeed in academic and social settings.

This position requires travel between the Pk-6 and 7-12 school buildings to support students.

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching English Language Skills

• Create a K-12 master schedule to provide an allocated number of minutes.
• Provide 30-45 minutes blocks of structured English in the areas of listening, speaking and writing within the master schedule.

Assessing Student Progress

• Regular monitoring of student learning through observation, guided independent practice and assessments to track their development and identify areas needing additional support using data.
• Administer the home language survey, ELP screener and the ELP summative.

Creating a Supportive Learning Environment

• Foster a safe and inclusive environment in order for EL students to feel comfortable learning and practicing language.

Collaborating with other teachers

• Collaborate with teachers to integrate English language instruction and provide scaffolds in order for EL students to be successful within the classroom.

Communicating with Parents and Guardians

• Keep families informed about their child's progress in English language acquisition and providing strategies to support learning at home.
• Assist families with the process of registration and acclimating them to the school community.

Strong Understanding of Language Acquisition Theories:

• Knowledge of how language is learned and the challenges faced by English language learners.

Cross-cultural Awareness and Sensitivity:

• Able to appreciate and respect diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Effective Communication Skills:

• Deliver clear and engaging instruction, ability to adapt language to different levels of proficiency.
• Able to clearly communicate to colleagues appropriate EL strategies to support instruction.

Creative Lesson Planning:

• Understand how to use technology for instructional planning.
• Design engaging activities to cater to various learning styles, cultural backgrounds and incorporate real-world scenarios.
Intentional lesson planning for the roster of students.

Adaptability and Flexibility:

• Responds to individual student needs and adjusting teaching strategies as necessary based on data.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education or a related field (Master's degree preferred)
• Must have current Iowa Teaching license
• K-6 Elementary Classroom, K-12 ESL Endorsement

Benefits: This position includes a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes IPERS, paid personal/sick leave and medical/dental/vision insurance

Physical Requirements: Bending, carrying, climbing, driving, lifting, pushing/pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, walking

The Fort Madison Community School District is an EEO/AA employer.