Life Skills Evening In-Person ESOL Teacher Takoma Park

WE ARE CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:
We Are CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in working-class Black, Latino/a/e, Afro-descendent, Indigenous, and Immigrant Communities. Our vision is rooted in the collective power of our community, our inclusive, permanent, member-led movement radically transforms communities and systems to ensure the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members are fully met as we strive for justice and full liberation at home and in solidarity with others across the world. We Are CASA has a sister organization, CASA in Action, a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Although We Are CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia, they are separate organizations with their own board of directors.  A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations.  This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:
The Education Department supports We Are CASA’s multi-generation approach to education through engaging youth and their families in the attainment of educational opportunities for all. Across its footprint, We Are CASA partners with, initiates, and fosters strong relationships between public school systems and immigrant families. Additionally, the Education Department oversees We Are CASA’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for immigrant students and their families through coordinated interdepartmental efforts within the organization. The department also supports We Are CASA’s expanding education policy work in strategic partnership with We Are CASA’s Department of Politics & Communications.

The Education Department’s Life Skills ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program uses the teaching methodology of Popular Education to address the educational needs of its adult learners and provide them with otherwise unavailable educational opportunities. Lessons are focused upon concrete and practical everyday experiences. Students, as adults, come to class with experiences that they are encouraged to share and peer teach while performing tasks. Class materials are geared towards student’s life experiences and promote both civic engagement and community empowerment. The classes also provide students with the linguistic skills and systems understanding needed to make positive and long-lasting social change within their community in coordination with We Are CASA’s organizing  and advocacy efforts in the fight for immigration reform, workers’ rights, universal equality, and racial equity.

POSITION SUMMARY:
We Are CASA is seeking passionate ESOL Teachers to facilitate evening English classes for adult learners using a Popular Education approach rooted in social justice, civic engagement, and real-world communication. In this role, you will create and lead interactive lessons that build language skills while empowering immigrant and working-class communities.

This opportunity is part-time and temporary, operating under an independent contractor agreement. Teachers will be paid a total of $6,208 for the fall 2026 contract period. Independent contractors must complete a 1099 form and are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes. This role does not include We Are CASA-sponsored benefits. All candidates must provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination upon acceptance of a contract offer.

Classes meet Monday through Thursday from 7:00–9:00 PM at Takoma Park Middle School (7611 Piney Branch Rd, Takoma Park, MD 20912), with occasional Friday make-up classes. Teachers must commit to teaching all scheduled evenings and attending mandatory orientation and trainings.

Mandatory orientation will be held via Zoom from 8/11/25 to 8/13/25 (6:00–8:00 PM). Additional virtual training sessions take place on 8/19/26 and 10/20/26 from 6:00-8:00 pm, with in-person training sessions on 8/19/25 and 10/21/26 from 6:00–9:00 PM at We Are CASA’s Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, MD.

The contract covers two eight-week sessions:

• Fall One: 8/24/26 – 10/15/26
• Fall Two: 10/26/26 – 12/17/25

Total contract period including orientation, trainings, and class instruction:

• 8/11/25 – 12/17/25

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create engaging and practical lesson plans for working adults that include materials, culture, and technology relevant to their authentic life experiences.
• Develop class activities that deepen learners’ understanding of social justice and build power and leadership from within We Are CASA’s immigrant and working class members. 
• Teach functional English grammar and conversation skills to adult learners of diverse professional and educational backgrounds. Teaching is done in the target language and focuses on giving the learner opportunity/purpose for communicating.  
• Evaluate student needs and progress by monitoring student work, providing opportunities for conversation.  Record and update class attendance and student data on a daily basis .
• Proctor and grade We Are CASA’s life skills ESOL pre-test at the start of the session and four life skills ESOL post-tests over the course of the session.    
• Administer periodic quizzes and conduct information assessments throughout the session to ensure that lessons address relevant student needs and that the learners have acquired the target language skill.
• Keep students informed of We Are CASA services and events. 
• Maintain a minimum average attendance rate of 70% and minimum retention rate of 75%.   
• Maintain constant communication with program staff and other instructors and promptly respond to emails from We Are CASA staff.
• Participate in periodic teachers’ meetings and trainings as scheduled and incorporate lessons learned into future ESOL lessons. 
• Other duties related to the position as assigned by the supervisor.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in related field
• TESOL certificate and/ or experience teaching ESOL or adult continuing education preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Experience as a facilitator and/or in adult continuing education
• Effective in leading dynamic and engaging ESOL lessons that focus on communicative, group-oriented tasks
• Highly computer literate including proficiency and experience with Google Suites (PowerPoint/ Google Slides, Google Forms, Excel Sheets/ Google Sheets, Microsoft Word/ Google Docs); comfortable communicating with students in a virtual space including the assignment and review of homework and standardized assessments via the messaging platform Remind.com
• Excellent English skills both spoken and written
• Extremely punctual and able to consistently meet programmatic deadlines
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
• Energetic and effective in student outreach
• Experience working with learners of limited educational backgrounds and study habits
• Able to embed lessons pertaining to low level computer literacy skills into daily ESOL themes
• Flexible teaching style and ability to successfully execute a lesson plan that accommodates a variety of learning styles to ensure that all students progress at the same pace
• Energetic and extremely patient when working with self-conscious learners
• Respectful of all cultures and believe that everyone is capable of learning a new language

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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.

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.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA: An ESOL Teacher is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

We Are CASA and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status and national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.