Instructional Specialist, Bilingual
We are looking for highly motivated and skilled talent to join our team at District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). We seek individuals who are passionate about transforming the DC school system and making a significant difference in the lives of public school students, parents, principals, teachers, and central office employees.
DCPS serves 45,000 students in the nation’s capital through the efforts of approximately 4,000 educators in 123 schools. As part of a comprehensive reform effort to become the preeminent urban school system in America, DCPS intends to have the highest-performing, best paid, most satisfied, and most honored educator force in the nation and a distinctive central office staff whose work supports and drives instructional excellence and significant achievement gains for DCPS students.
The Office of Early Childhood Education is working to support the provision of high-quality early education services that prepare children for kindergarten entry and later school success. Approximately 5,000 children, ages 3 to 5, attend Head Start and pre-kindergarten classrooms in 85 DCPS elementary schools.
Position Overview
The District of Columbia is seeking a highly qualified Bilingual (English-Spanish) Early Childhood Education Instructional Specialist with a demonstrated commitment to improving the school readiness and daily classroom experiences of preschool (PS) and pre-Kindergarten (PK) students. This position is a part of the Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE), Head Start Program within the Office of the Chief Academic Officer (OCAO). This position reports to the Leads of Instructional Specialists and Managers of ECE Education Services.
The Bilingual Instructional Specialist is responsible for working with English and Spanish-speaking early childhood teachers (preschool, prekindergarten and possibly Kindergarten) and school administrators to foster a culture of collaboration and professional learning at Title I schools related to the implementation of early childhood best practices that are aligned with the DCPS Teaching and Learning Framework and Head Start Performance Standards. The Bilingual Instructional Specialist will be assigned to schools that have Spanish Immersion and Dual Language (Spanish-English) early childhood and Kindergarten classrooms as well as a high proportion of Spanish-speaking families and early childhood teachers and assistants. This individual is skilled at working with teachers and administrators to support early learning standards-based lesson planning, as well as, assessment of program quality and child outcomes. Bilingual Instructional Specialists serve as the primary liaison between the principal at their assigned schools and the Office of Early Childhood Education.
Educational Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Qualifications
* Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, curriculum and instruction, child development or related field, master’s preferred
* At least 5 years of successful teaching experience at the PS/PK grades and at least 3 years coaching, mentoring or supervising early childhood educators preferred
* High proficiency (fluency preferred) in Spanish, with the ability to use academic terminology exemplary bilingual/bicultural communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills
* Skilled in working on and contributing to a team as well as working independently
* Reliable in the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), and other standardized measures of program quality, and/or the demonstrated ability to utilize these assessment tools as part of regular work duties
* Knowledge of adult learner theory and various educational philosophies, including, but not limited to: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), theory of multiple intelligences, socio-cultural approaches to education, cognitive theories, and curricula such as: Tools of the Mind, Montessori, Creative Curriculum, and the Reggio Emilia approach
* Strong organizational and strategic planning skills, and efficiency in meeting deadlines
* Two letters of reference citing examples of a commitment to professional growth, improving academic achievement, excellent peer relations, etc. (letters from administrators, colleagues, teachers, etc.)
* Experience with Head Start/pre-kindergarten programs preferredResponsibilities
* Developing a trusting, confidential, and reflective professional partnership with teachers, administrators and other school based staff
* Providing weekly on-site support to each teacher to ensure strong implementation of the Teaching and Learning Framework, compliance with Head Start requirements, and that lesson plans meet the needs of all students, including students with disabilities
* Delivering high quality, job-embedded support through various approaches such as individual discussions (formal and informal), demonstration lessons with pre/post discussion and analysis, and formal professional development sessions
* Assisting teachers in implementing best practices in early childhood education, including those around observations and anecdotal notes, the set-up of classroom environments, language modeling, children’s self-regulation, the value of play and child-initiated explorations, small group arrangements, community-building strategies, current research on language acquisition in ECE, and anti-bias education
* Modeling research-based instructional approaches and collaborates with various individuals of the ECE staff to meet the needs of individual learners
* Conducting informal and formal observations, including through use of standardized program quality assessments, in order to provide feedback to teachers on instructional delivery and implementation of best practices in early childhood education
* Utilizing an assessment process to facilitate a teacher’s growth and development, analyzing their practice and reviewing student work to inform instruction and provision of challenging and engaging materials
* Helping teachers see themselves as researchers in the classroom needing to be constantly curious about their students’ development
* Performing all other professional responsibilities such as submitting daily and weekly logs and participating in professional development activities
* Providing feedback on program effectiveness to OECE Instructional Team Managers and other ECE program leaders
* Consistently modeling high expectations for self, teachers, and students
Notice of Criminal Background Check.In accordance with the Criminal Background Checks for the Protection of Children Act of 2004, this position has been designated and identified as one which requires a criminal background check and/or traffic record check. If you are tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check and/or traffic record check (for positions which require the operation of a motor vehicle) will be conducted. A final offer of employment is contingent upon the receipt of a satisfactory criminal background check and/or traffic record check.
Notice of Non-Discrimination.In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, District of Columbia Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq. (Act), the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) does not discriminate (including employment therein and admission thereto) on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability, source of income, status as a victim of an interfamily offense, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited. Discrimination in violation of the aforementioned laws will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
Title IX regulation requires schools to implement specific and continuing steps to protect students and others against discrimination on the basis of sex. Students, parents and/or guardians with inquiries regarding Title IX non-discrimination policies related to students and student activities shall contact:
Title IX Coordinator
Office of Youth Engagement
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 8thFloor Washington, DC 20002
Washington, DC 20002
(202)442-5638
or
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100
Telephone: 1-800-421-3481
FAX: 202-245-6840; TDD: 877-521-2172
Email:OCR@ed.gov
Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies of DCPS will be handled as follows:
Employees with inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies related to employment and employees or who wish to file a discrimination complaint should contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist
Office of Labor Management & Employee Relations
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5424
Students, parents and/or guardians with inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies related to students and student activities, including Section 504, should contact:
504 Specialist, Office of Special Education
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 10th Floor Washington, DC 20002
504@dc.gov
202-442-4800
Notice of Pre-Employment Testing. This position is a safety-sensitive position. All safety-sensitive positions are subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing in accordance with the Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Act of 2004. If you are tentatively selected for this position, you will be required to submit to testing for illegal drug use prior to employment, and your employment shall be contingent upon negative test results. If you are appointed into this position, you shall be subject to mandatory random drug and alcohol testing throughout your employment.
Position InformationOpening Date: December 13, 2012
Closing Date: December 12, 2013
Vacancy Announcement Number: 10-CAO-227
Salary: $67,333 - $75,976
Location: Washington, DC
How to ApplyTo apply for this position, pleasecomplete an online
application.Be mindful that you will be asked to select
the position for which you are applying, so please note
the exact title of this job description
Questions?EmailDCPS.Careers@dc.govfor technical
assistance. For all other questions, please refer to our
FAQ section.
