English Learner Teacher

Position Type :

Elementary Teaching, grades K-5

Date Posted : 2 / 18 / 2025

Location : Lower School

FTE : 1.0 FTE

Job Summary : English Learner Teachers bring the concepts of language learning and the International Baccalaureate program to life for their students. The English Learner Teacher will work under the guidance of the Director of Special Education.

Salary Range : $44,500-$76,000

Essential Functions :

• Evaluate, instruct, and improve English proficiency in students who speak a language other than English at home.
• Communicate language needs and student progress to classroom teachers, administrators, and families.
• Create a safe and welcoming learning environment.
• Administer academic and language assessments to evaluate student progress in language acquisition.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of student progress.
• Adapt curriculum to provide individual, small group, and / or remedial instruction to meet the needs of students.
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques and strategies to meet different aptitudes and interests of students
• Communicate with parents regarding program goals, classroom activities, homework, school functions and student progress.
• Infuse international-mindedness into the curriculum on a continual basis.
• Incorporate hands-on learning activities into daily instruction.
• Participate in regular planning and staff development activities.
• Participate in professional development for creating a caring learning atmosphere and for using the International Baccalaureate Programmes (PYP, MYP, DP).
• Other duties as apparent or assigned.

Required Qualifications :

Preferences :

Physical Requirements :

This position requires vocal communication, hearing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, use of hands to grasp and feel, and vision abilities including close, distance, and adjusting focus. Lifting / moving required frequently up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds or more. Work occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and is generally in a moderately noisy location. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About Lakes International Language Academy

Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) is a PreK-12 public charter school educating over 1200 students. The school opened in 2004, added grades 7 - 12 in 2015 and 2016. The school is located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, with authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme. We offer Spanish and Mandarin language immersion in PreK - 5 and an immersion continuation program in grades 6 - 12, as well as entry points for non-immersion students in a language-rich environment. Teachers are highly involved in developing curriculum and writing materials, as well as decision making at the school. In fact, the school's board of directors has a teacher majority. We enjoy high teacher retention, and frequently have a waiting list of students who want to enter our program.

Our Mission

LILA prepares tomorrow's critical thinkers and global citizens through language immersion and inquiry-driven study.

Our Action Statements

Achievements & Awards :

Diversity : Many of our teachers were born in Mandarin and Spanish speaking countries. Nearly all have traveled extensively, with the large majority having lived in a Mandarin or Spanish speaking country for at least a semester.

Professional Development : Lakes International provides professional development for new staff depending on needs and interest, but always including best practices of teachers in the International Baccalaureate programs and building a safe and inviting classroom climate for learning.

Career Track and Advancement : Many leadership positions are available to Lakes International teachers, depending on their interests, efforts, and expertise.

Travel : Teachers are provided opportunities to participate in training provided in the Twin Cities, across the U.S., and sometimes internationally in the areas of Language Immersion, International Baccalaureate, and Responsive Classroom or Developmental Designs. Occasional travel is required.

Grants to Teachers : The LILA Foundation frequently offers "Inquiry 360" grants to teachers to pursue enriching experiences that they can bring back to share in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to pursue these experiences abroad. Inquiry 360 grants are competitive and are awarded in April for use the following summer.

Social Functions : We usually start the school year with an all staff gathering in August, and have a January staff party with guests as well. Each Friday, various staff members offer well-attended gatherings around sports or exercise, including volleyball, football (soccer), kettlebells, or Zumba. Other social activities abound.

Our staff works hard, and has a lot of fun in the process!

Salary : $44,500 - $76,000