Duties

Function / Position Summary

Receive new families to the district and provide orientation related to the instructional services of School District U-46, as well as information about community resources. Coordinate the identification, assessment, and recommendation of a program for new students with a non-English background. Participate in community events and meetings to maintain an open communication network. Serve as an advocate for students and parents when necessary. Provide support/refer social services for special circumstances. Disseminate information within the community about services offered by the Family Welcome Center and by School District U-46. Travel throughout the district to supervise the testing process for new non-English background students. 

Job Duties / Responsibilities

• Maintain a positive climate and culture where families and staff members feel welcomed, valued, and respected.
• Implement the procedures related to identification, assessment, and placement of incoming Dual Language, ESL, and Transition Bilingual students. This includes assessing the English language proficiency of new Non-English Background (NEB) students and making well-informed placement recommendations.
• Continuously review the Family Welcome Center procedures to better support school departments and to assess and place students more effectively.
• Monitor the language proficiency screening at the middle and high school levels to ensure that all new NEB students and returning NEB students are tested and recommended to the correct U-46 program in alignment with the ISBE compliance timeline.
• Establish ongoing communication with school-level staff in regard to placement, qualification, and enrollment status of new NEB students.
• Responsible for accuracy and timely Multilingual and Multicultural Education Department (MMED) data entry for all new NEB PreK-12th grade students
• Keep schools informed about the students who qualify, accept, or refuse the MMED programs.
• Ensure EL folders for qualifying students are created, and all students' evaluation folders are distributed to the corresponding buildings in a timely manner when school is not in session.
• Responsible for collaborating with Early Learners and implementing the procedures for screening preschool students
• Responsible for developing and coordinating the kindergarten testing schedule at all Pre-K sites and all elementary schools.
• Support the coordination and facilitation of Beginning and End of the Year MMED procedures that include state and federal guidelines.
• On-going collaboration with Data and Compliance coordinator to support compliance and Home School Liaison professional growth and communication
• Provide day-to-day support to Home School Liaisons as it relates to the assessment and placement of NEB students.
• Establish ongoing communication with the assessment office and MMED Department.
• Maintain open communication with the Specialized Student Services department to ensure that children with special needs are placed in the correct program in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Assessment Department on ACCESS and Las Links Trainings
• Collaborate with Private Schools and organizing screening
• Provide ACCESS and other MMED assessment (i.e., WIDA-MODEL and WIDA Screener) training to all new teachers/administrators in the district
• Conduct the Teacher Appraisal Process for the ETA Family Welcome Center staff.
• Facilitate connections for newcomers, families, and school staff with community partners.
• Coordinate and facilitate family engagement initiatives district-wide with schools that receive funds
• Collaborate with Family Engagement Coordinators in other departments to enhance and promote family engagement opportunities.
• Oversee the Bilingual Parent Advisory Group (BPAC) by serving as the immediate contact, organizing BPAC meetings, and supporting BPAC initiatives.
• Support the initiatives of the MME Department as deemed necessary by the Director of MMED.
• Participate in district-wide committees.

Qualifications

Education

• Five or more years of experience in the education field.
• Significant experience and comfort level working in a Suburban-Urban School System.
• Ability to work in a start-up environment, requiring flexibility, self-directed problem solving, collaborative work style, drive toward results, and enthusiasm.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to create positive, trusting, professional relationships with diverse colleagues.
• Professional Educator License with General Administrator or Principal endorsement. PERA Module designations required (Teacher)
• ESL and Bilingual Endorsement/Approval required
• Bilingual, Spanish/English written and verbal (preferred). 

Experience / Knowledge

• Administrative certification Type 75 required
• Multilingual (Dual Language, ESL, TBE) Program expertise.
• Capability of learning/understating new and different information systems.
• Bilingual required; English/Spanish

Salary/Benefits

The salary range for this position is $100,716.00 - $151,055.00.  Our typical practice is to hire in between the minimum and midpoint $125,886.00.

Email Address

mariselafonseca@u-46.org

ILearn Link

ILearn

Report Card Link

District Report Card