QUALIFICATIONS:
Professional Educator License (PEL)
Bilingual (Spanish) Endorsement
Student teaching and/or current experience in this area preferred OR Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) Certificate
REPORTS TO: Principal, Dean, or Assistant Principal
SUPERVISES: N/A
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
PURPOSE: The Bilingual Specialist supports the language acquisition and academic success of identified English Learners (EL) that have a home language of Spanish by providing targeted instruction in Spanish and English while fostering a culturally responsive learning environment. This role ensures that EL students receive linguistically appropriate services to further develop their Spanish and English proficiency supporting grade-level curricular skills and topics.
PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist with the evaluation of EL students and determine eligibility for services based on state and federal guidelines.
- Administer and interpret language proficiency assessments, including the WIDA screener, ACCESS for ELLs, Pre-IPT, and PreLAS.
- Develop and implement instructional programs that align with ISBE specifications and support students' academic and language development in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English and Spanish.
- Provide individualized and small-group instruction in Spanish and English to address linguistic needs in the core subjects of Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics.
- Support students in accessing digital tools that facilitate language acquisition and academic success.
- Plan, implement, and assess lessons that integrate language and content standards using a pull out, push in and/or coteaching model.
- Implement appropriate accommodations, modifications, and instructional strategies to promote student success and language growth.
- Work collaboratively with general education teachers, special education teachers, instructional coaches, and support staff to support linguistic needs.
- Collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure lessons are in conjunction with the tier 1 content objectives and also align to appropriate language objectives.
- Monitor student progress and identify appropriate intervention type and language of intervention to support language and literacy growth.
- Provide classroom teachers with expertise and guidance on instructional strategies, lesson development, assessment techniques, differentiation, and best practices for supporting EL students.
- Deliver professional development, coaching sessions, lesson demonstrations, and staff training to build capacity for effective EL instruction.
- Assist in gathering data and preparing reports to meet district, state, and federal compliance requirements.
- Collect and analyze student achievement data to track language acquisition and academic progress.
- Consult with administrative and supervisory personnel regarding program development, student
- progress, program implementation, and language allocation.
- Communicate regularly with parents regarding students' academic, social, and personal progress.
- Arrange and facilitate interpreting services for parent-teacher conferences and other school-related meetings, as needed.
- Serve as a liaison between the school, families, and outside resources to support student success.
- Participate in ongoing professional growth activities, including workshops, in-service training, and higher education coursework.
- Utilize district-approved technologies to enhance instruction and student engagement in language learning.
- Carry out other responsibilities as assigned by an administrator to support student language acquisition.
- Support Board of Education policies and maintain a professional relationship with colleagues.
- Work collaboratively in alignment with District 41 programming and demonstrate a cooperative work spirit.
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the administrator.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of various models of quality EL instruction and research-based best practices.
- Knowledge of Spanish Language Arts standards and how to support literacy development in Spanish
- Knowledge of effective instructional strategies for language acquisition and student-centered learning.
- Knowledge of state and federal regulations related to EL programs and compliance requirements.
- Skill in planning and implementing differentiated lessons that integrate language development and core content.
- Skill in using assessments and data analysis to monitor student progress and guide instruction.
- Ability to collaborate with teachers, administrators, and support staff to support EL students.
- Ability to apply research and theory to instructional programs and lesson planning.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with students, peers, and parents.
- Ability to support the home-school relationship through native language (Spanish) communication
- Ability to provide instructional support and resources to classroom teachers.
- Ability to effectively use technology to enhance instruction and track student progress.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms in English and Spanish.
- Ability to perform duties in compliance with district policies and state and federal guidelines
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 182 Days. Salary to be established by the Board of Education.
EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated by the Building Principal, Dean, and/or Assistant Principal in accordance with provisions of Board policy.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear, with frequent walking and occasional standing, reaching, and other physical activities. Responsibilities include prolonged physical tasks such as stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, pulling, pushing, twisting, lifting, and carrying. The role may involve moving equipment, furniture, materials, and occasionally performing lifting of 20 pounds or more. Additional tasks may include escorting students to and from class when meeting in small groups.
Essential sensory abilities include close vision for reading, distance and peripheral vision, focus adjustment, and hearing speech in various environments, including classrooms, outdoors, and over the phone. Clear, audible speech is required for effective communication.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Duties are typically performed in a school or classroom environment, with occasional responsibilities during field trips. The work environment noise level ranges from quiet to loud. Tasks are primarily indoors, with some outdoor activities.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
Salary Schedule: 2024-2025 Salary Schedule
Payroll Schedule: Distributed over 26 periods, every other Friday
Health, Dental/Vision Benefits Information:
Sick Day Allocation: 16 days total, with up to 3 days available for personal use
Life Insurance: $50,000
Pension System: Teacher Retirement System
Tuition Reimbursement: $2,750 annually