ESL/ELL English Language Development Teacher

Description

Job Description

Hiawatha Academies is seeking a passionate Somali Family Engagement and Language Coordinator to support their K-12 multilingual educational services. This critical role will bridge communication between the school community and Somali-speaking families, providing comprehensive language support, cultural translation, and family engagement strategies across the organization's educational programs.

Job Summary

The Family Experience and Language Coordinator (FELC) works closely with the Special Education Operations Director (SEOD) and Student and Family Experiece Managers (SFEM) to provide interpretation and translation services for families, with a primary focus on supporting Spanish and Somali speaking families. The FELC ensures families receive clear, accurate communication and are included in all aspects of the school community. This role involves direct family outreach, participation in meetings (including SPED IEP meetings), and collaboration with campus teams to promote language accessibility and equitable engagement opportunities for all families.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Fluency in Spanish or Somali and English, with strong skills in written and oral communication.
• Demonstrated experience in translating and interpreting for Spanish or Somali speaking families in educational or outreach settings.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree in Spanish or Somali, Communications, or a related field.
• 2 years of experience providing translation and interpreation services in a school or community setting
• Experience working with Spanish or Somali speaking families in educational environments.
• Strong understanding of culturally responsive communication.
• Knowledge of special education processes, including SPED IEP meetings.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to sit for long durations at a desk or in a conference room while maintaining focus and actively listening to conversations.
• Requires high levels of concentration to accurately interpret and translate complex information in real-time, switching seamlessly between languages.
• Must possess excellent hearing ability to clearly understand spoken language in various accents and environments.
• Ability to clearly articulate thoughts and ideas in both source and target languages with proper pronunciation and grammar.
• Must be able to maintain visual focus on speakers to accurately interpret non-verbal cues and body language.
• May work in various settings including offices, classrooms, large groups, and remote locations, requiring flexibility to adjust to different working conditions with remote work not to exceed 40% of the scheduled weekly hours.
• May need to travel to various locations for interpreting services and may have varying workloads depending on the volume of translation and interpretation work required.
• Work schedule may vary depending on client needs, including evenings, weekends, and on-call availablity.
• Ability to understand and navigate cultural nuances to accurately convey meaning in the interpretation process.
• Must be able to handle stressful situations and maintain professionalism under pressure.
• Commitment ot maintaining confidentiality and upholding the highest ethical standards of interpretation practice.
  
  

Application Procedure:

Apply online, completing the application process. Resumes encouraged.

Selection Procedure

Applications will be initially screened for minimum qualifications, with qualified candidates advancing to interviews that assess language skills, cultural competency, and professional experience. Candidates must successfully complete background verification, provide professional references, and demonstrate alignment with Hiawatha Academies' mission of supporting multilingual families. Final selection will be based on a holistic review of the candidate's professional capabilities, communication skills, and potential to effectively engage and support the Somali community within the K-12 educational environment. Background verification is mandatory, and all submissions are confidential.