Hiawatha Academies is a network of college-preparatory schools focused on closing the opportunity gap in Minneapolis. We seek to create a K-12 school experience for scholars that empowers them with knowledge, character, and leadership skills. At Hiawatha Academies, we are committed to making our city and our world a more inclusive, equitable, and just place.
Our equity vision: to honor the humanity of all people, we actively disrupt systemic inequity in pursuit of an equitable world. Hiawatha Academies permanently disrupts educational inequity by ensuring a great school for every child.
Why Hiawatha?
Hiawatha Academies’ English Language Development Program is rapidly expanding and is dedicated to becoming a leader in English language programming across the metro area to best develop, grow, and support our multilingual learners. Hiawatha Academies is committed to providing robust and multi-faceted linguistic supports for all our scholars, which is rooted in: 1) continuous collaboration and communication between families, teachers, and other school staff supporting students; 2) regular and evidence-based professional learning for all staff members; 3) nuanced understanding and celebration of students unique cultural and linguistic heritage, and 4) an inclusive model for ELD services and supports grounded in best practice. This commitment has led to SIOP training for all instructional staff, an ELD leadership team that continues to guide program development, ELD department lead positions, and innovative opportunities to improve services for learners. At Hiawatha, we also believe strongly in the integration of content and language. We focus mainly on sheltered classes for those needing targeted language support and co-teaching with core content area instructors. To learn more about Hiawatha’s model for language development programming, our student population, and core procedures, please review our Language Instruction Education Program (LIEP) Plan You may also contact Merissa Russie [[email protected]] to learn more about our approach to supporting multilingual learners).
English Language Development (ELD) teachers are responsible for providing rigorous, standards-based, and highly engaging learning environments for their scholars. ELD teachers will support language development through a dynamic approach to instruction focused on the integration of language and content. Instructional models primarily include co-teaching and sheltered instruction.
All teachers will strive to ensure that all Hiawatha Academies scholars are empowered with the knowledge, character, and leadership skills to graduate from college and serve the common good.
ELD teachers will work alongside grade level teammates, special education teachers, specialist teachers, and under the guidance of the campus leadership team.
Responsibilities:
English Language Development
Apply the practices of sheltered English instruction to provide English language development to multilingual learners who qualify for English language instruction
Co-teach alongside grade level homeroom teachers and content teachers
Provide individual and group instruction for identified students
Ensure that all students identified as English language learners receive the appropriate academic supports
Co-plan with grade level and content teachers to integrate language scaffolds into core curricula
Instructional Planning and Implementation
Implement assessments that are aligned with daily, weekly, and unit objectives
Use data to adjust short- and long-term plans in order to meet students’ learning needs
Connect content & language instruction through standards including: MN state standards, national standards, and WIDA standards
Learning and Development
Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and student achievement; reflect on instructional practices to meet individual professional development goals
Advocate for the needs of multilingual learners in professional learning settings
Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and community meetings
Maintain regular communication with families and parents of multilingual learners.
School and Classroom Culture
Establish and maintain relationships with students and families based on trust and regular communication; collaborate and communicate regularly with families about academic progress and behavior
Establish and maintain high expectations and routines for academic work and classroom behavior
Establish and reinforce expectations and accountability structures to maintain a positive, focused classroom
Additional Responsibilities
Maintain accurate records, grade book, and data tracking systems
Actively attend to supervision duties and contribute positively to a collaborative school environment
Manage site ACCESS testing
Perform other duties as required and assigned
Teachers must demonstrate knowledge and support of Hiawatha Academies’ mission, vision, value statements, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.
Hiawatha Employment Logistics
We are hiring positions for all of our campuses based on need & experience
Staff day is 8 hours & 15 minutes; hours vary based on campus location
Professional development sessions are held each Friday from 1:45-3:15 pm
All Hiawatha Staff are expected to attend & participate in all family events at the school.
Skills & Qualifications
Required:
Bachelor’s degree
Valid Minnesota teaching license in content area (or ability to gain before start date)
Licensed in K-12 TESL, literacy education, elementary education, English language arts, or a similar content area with experience working with multilingual learners
Growth mindset for students, self, and other adults
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with colleagues, students, and families
A commitment to racial equity and social justice
Prospective applicants must demonstrate a clear record of achieving significant gains with their students, and have a strong belief that they can help close the opportunity gap for all
Highly Preferred:
2+ years of experience teaching in a high-need school with demonstrated student results
Bilingual or multilingual (Spanish and/or Somali preferred)
Background in SIOP (sheltered instructional observational protocol)
Familiarity with WIDA language standards, proficiency level descriptors & MN state standards
Experiencing with translanguaging &/or bilingual education
Experience instructing dually-identified learners (students who qualify for both Special Education and English Learner programming)
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive and based on prior experience. Hiawatha offers a comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, life, and retirement.
Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity
We believe that diversity is a strength, and we are committed to maintaining an inclusive, multicultural network. We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants.