Early Childhood / Dual Language Content Specialist

Early Childhood / Dual Language Content Specialist 

The Guadalupe Centers Charter Schools serves 1600 students from PreK-12 and is a free, open-enrollment public charter school. Over 96% 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 staff 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: Staff at GCCS appreciate the autonomy to try proven and new approaches in their classrooms and are encouraged to innovate. Teachers' experience is valued, and they are given space to collaborate and share their best practice. 
• Coaching and Development: SGCCS staff collaborate with their leaders on their growth and development. GCCS staff sets professional development goals in collaboration with their coaches, colleagues, and district initiatives. All staff are aligned on working on their development over the year.

Additional benefits include, but are not limited to: Competitive compensation and benefits, a qualifying relocation stipend upon hire, a bilingual (Spanish) stipend upon hire, and tuition reimbursement. GCCS has also expanded our benefits around well-being and mental health

Description: Content-focused specialists are designed to engage teachers in activities that focus on key concepts in a particular discipline, how students learn those concepts, and the pedagogical knowledge that is key to the specific discipline. The primary goals of content-focused coaching are to increase the teacher’s content knowledge in a specific subject area and build the teacher’s knowledge of effective instructional practices related to that subject area, referred to as pedagogical content knowledge resulting in increased student achievement. 

Reports to: Building Principal 

Job type: Full time  

Classification: Exempt  

Calendar Type: 195 Days

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in early childhood, curriculum and instruction, administration, or a related area 
• Minimum of five years of PreK-12 teaching experience; urban experience is preferred 
• Experience in early childhood classrooms and/or early interventions for students 
• Missouri Teacher certification in the area of content or grade level; additional TESOL certification is preferred
• Instructional leadership/coaching/mentoring experience in an early childhood setting is preferred 
• Documentation of content area expertise:
• Native-like Spanish and English proficiency is required
• Training in Dual Language Immersion instructional practices
• Experience in Dual Language setting
• Dual Language endorsement preferred 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

• Design, develop, and assist with the implementation of approved curriculum and resources aligned to program goals.
• Provide feedback and assist with curriculum review during curriculum review cycles.
• Collaborate with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I)  to develop content-specific templates, unit plans, and vertically aligned instructional expectations and frameworks to aid in unit and lesson planning. 
• Assist teachers in developing effective lesson plans, including differentiated support, EL support, and to co-teach as needed to demonstrate new strategies. 

ASSESSMENT 

• Lead Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in using or developing curriculum-based assessments or other types of formative, summative, and interim assessments that are aligned to the state assessment. 

CONTENT-BASED INSTRUCTIONAL OBSERVATION AND FEEDBACK

• Regularly observe teachers to assess instructional practices and content knowledge, and with building administrators, identify areas for improvement, and provide clear and direct feedback to teachers.
• Provide regular coaching and feedback on content-specific pedagogical practices. 
• As directed by the principal and with the support of the Director of C&I, track student and teacher progress to assess the effectiveness of coaching.

MODELING EFFECTIVE TEACHING PRACTICES IN THE CONTENT AREA

• Demonstrate exemplary teaching techniques in the classroom to provide teachers with concrete examples to emulate.
• Model examples of the use of district-approved curricular resources and materials. 
• Collaborate with teachers and use a variety of active teaching and learning strategies to improve student performance. 
• Provide tools and resources for teachers in working with multilingual learners in the specific content area. 

DATA ANALYSIS AND GOAL SETTING

• Develop teachers’ capacity to collect and analyze multiple sources of data to improve student learning and set achievable instructional goals.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FACILITATION

• Lead individual and group professional development sessions focused on specific instructional strategies, content areas, or new technology as directed by the principal and with the support of the Director of C&I. 

PERSONAL DATA COLLECTION

• Maintain exemplary records of personal goals regarding improving teacher capacity. 
• Submit periodic reports to the principal to document progress toward meeting system goals. 
• Perform other duties as assigned
  

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven ability to maintain professionalism and tact in high-stress situations. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to write and revise curriculum  
• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management, both internal and external to the system.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internal and external to the school system.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently use a computer including software, Google Drive, databases used by the district, spreadsheets and word processing software, presentation software, copy machines, and printers. 
• Ability to analyze data.  
• Ability to engage in problem-solving skills  
• Ability to positively collaborate with others to meet building and system-level goals. 
• Commitment to serving the GCCS community and Multilingual learners.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Light Work: may require occasional light lifting.  
• Nights and weekend activities will be occasionally required.  
• The position is in an office setting and may involve prolonged work at a desk in one location.  
• Moderate travel between buildings is required.  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  

The requirements, physical demands, work conditions, and environment listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable  

individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

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 Charter Schools 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.