English as a Second Language (ESL) Specialist Teacher

About Alma

Alma del Mar is a K-8 charter school whose mission is to put every one of our scholars on the path to college and to challenge them to be service-minded leaders . We do this by immersing our scholars in a highly demanding, highly supportive environment where they receive a content–rich education. As an Expeditionary Learning school, Alma brings to life a three dimensional vision of student achievement that includes mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work.

We're located in New Bedford, Massachusetts a beautiful coastal city known for its history as the heart of the whaling industry and as a central hub of the abolitionist movement. 

Alma gets results for kids. Alma scholars not only outperform their district peers on MCAS, they often outperform their peers in the surrounding suburbs. In some areas, our scholar achievement now matches some of the highest performing schools in the Commonwealth. We have been nationally recognized for our work with English Language Learners.

The ESL Specialist Role

As a ESL Specialist you will plan and teach highly effective interventions both within and outside the general education classroom using the English Language Development Standards. You will work closely with other teachers who serve kids in the grades you teach and the academic support team to design instruction that furthers every scholar's learning. You will develop high leverage relationships with Alma families. You'll receive the support you need in all aspects of your work, while retaining the autonomy to do what's right for the scholars with whom you work closely every day.

At Alma we believe that we can best serve our scholars by helping you to meet your long-term professional growth and career goals.

Who We're Looking For

We seek outstanding teachers with the following qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree or higher
• At least one year of full time teaching experience in a K-12 setting
• Proven effectiveness leading students to significant academic gains (please include specific data related to your student's academic gains in your resume)
• Massachusetts Teacher License required - English as a Second Language Teacher PreK-6
  • Please consult this website for more information on how to obtain that license:
  • Certifications to teach English to adults (ex. TEFL) cannot be substituted.
• A passion for working with kids and a belief that all kids can succeed 
• Humility, resilience, and a hunger to learn and grow
• Strong team orientation
• Infectious joy
• Bilingual teachers are highly encouraged to apply

In addition, the ideal candidate has the following competencies:

• Show me the Outcomes: Filters every decision through the lens of potential impact our scholars 
• High Demand, High Support: Sets a high bar for self, colleagues, and the people we serve
• Crew: Believes that working with a diverse crew - with a range of perspectives, backgrounds, and communication styles, across schools, leadership teams, and external stakeholders – makes us stronger and seeks to uncover and address personal biases and structural inequities
• It's Our Ship: Takes collective responsibility for the success of our scholars
• Challenge, Challenge: Sees difficult problems as opportunities to increase capacity and grow skills and seeks out, and improves through, feedback.

What You Can Expect

• Weekly meetings with a manager who supports you 
• Fully stocked supply closets for all your classroom needs (+ a supply budget!)
• Prep periods every day
• Weekly meetings with a manager who supports you
• A comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Paid sick and personal day, as well as paid holidays, and paid school breaks 
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance with PPO and HMO options
  • Paid parental leave and short term disability available 
  • Multiple retirement options, including a 403(b) with matching
• Friendly, supportive, #almazing colleagues 

This is an academic year position. School hours are 8:20-4:00 for staff.

Compensation: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with full time teaching experience. First year teachers start at $49,150. We offer a comprehensive benefits package. Bilingual candidates are compensated higher.

Please include specific data in your resume demonstrating the success of your students. 

Alma del Mar is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds and identities are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus.