Elementary Spanish Specialist Teacher - West Hollywood, California, United States

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Spanish Language Specialist is responsible for the implementation of a Spanish program designed to introduce students from third through sixth grade to language learning, foster an appreciation for diverse cultures, ...

Job description

SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of Teaching and Learning, the Spanish Language Specialist is responsible for the implementation of a Spanish program designed to introduce students from third through sixth grade to language learning, foster an appreciation for diverse cultures, and instill in students an understanding of the value of learning new languages.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develop and implement a Spanish program for elementary students.
• Develop age-appropriate experiences for Spanish instruction that include the opportunity for differentiation of instruction for native Spanish speakers.
• Develop and procure instructional materials that focus on language skills, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and positive learning environment that encourages students to practice and communicate in Spanish and that promotes interest and engagement in the Spanish language.
• Introduce and reinforce vocabulary, grammar concepts, and pronunciation through a variety of hands-on and multisensory activities, such as music, art, drama, games, and movement, to make the learning experience engaging and memorable.
• Incorporate cultural aspects and real-life examples to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of Spanish-speaking cultures.
• Collaborate with other teachers to integrate Spanish language learning across different subjects and create interdisciplinary learning opportunities for students.
• Stay updated on current teaching methodologies, resources, and educational trends in world language instruction to enhance teaching effectiveness.
• Attend professional development workshops, conferences, and training sessions to continuously improve teaching skills and knowledge.
• Participate in faculty meetings and contribute to curriculum development and enhancement initiatives.
• Verbally communicate with children in a positive manner.
• Communicate respectfully, clearly, and honestly in verbal, electronic, and written form with parents, administrators, and colleagues regarding curriculum and students, and maintain a sensitive, cooperative, and flexible demeanor in interactions.
• Positively contribute to the schoolwide community.
• Maintain and update curriculum (and lesson) guides.
• Demonstrate professionalism through reliability, punctuality, and personal appearance and self-care, and maintain personal integrity and a respectful attitude in all relationships, and positively contribute to the school community.
• Provide for the physical safety of children through anticipation and removal of hazards, visual observation of children active or at rest, and by appropriately responding to injuries.
• Follow all personnel policies and the guidelines of the Emergency Response Plans, and take responsibility for students' safety in an emergency situation or drill.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty to the satisfaction of the administration. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Minimum of a Bachelor's degree or higher in language, education, or a related field. Valid elementary-level California teaching credential preferred, but not required.

BEHAVIORAL SKILLS: Demonstrate personal integrity, friendliness, patience, fairness, openness, non-defensiveness, sensitivity, flexibility, and enthusiasm.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret written documents, professional literature, and material pertinent to child development and education. Ability to write reports, child evaluations from a developmental perspective, curricular plans, and letters. Ability to verbally present information and respond to children, parents, colleagues, and administrators in the areas of early childhood curriculum and child development, and to speak and write from a child-specific perspective. Ability to communicate effectively with parents, students, and colleagues.

TECHNICAL SKILLS: High comfort level and proficiency with technology as a teaching, learning, and communication tool. Ability to use simple tools and machines, such as copiers and laminators. Ability to use computers to write reports, compose letters and emails, create documents, and communicate with parents.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and apply common sense and good judgment in dealing with everyday and emergency situations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: The employee is regularly required to talk and hear; to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and climb; to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teacher encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to moderate to noisy.