ENL Teacher

Hamilton County Department of Education; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton County Schools in Chattanooga, TN seeks an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher to support over-age, under-credit students with language development and academic achievement. You will plan rigorous lessons aligned to TN Academic and WIDA standards.

Responsibilities include EL screening with WIDA Screener, developing individualized instructional plans, and collaborating with general education teachers to ensure access and success for English learners in all content areas.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate fluency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• Bachelor's degree is required.
• TN ESOL certification or active candidate status required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, students and families.

Responsibilities

• Teach English language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) to meet grade-level targets.
• Plan and deliver instruction using TN Academic and WIDA Standards; differentiate as needed.
• Screen ELs with WIDA Screener and report results to parents and records.
• Develop LLIPs and collaborate with general education teachers on scheduling, instruction, and assessments.
• Foster a nurturing classroom culture and maintain high expectations.
• Facilitate home–school communication, conferences, and parent trainings.
• Participate in PLCs to improve teaching and student learning.

Skills

Language fluency (4 domains)

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Open to feedback

Education

Bachelor's degree

TN ESOL certification / candidate

Job description

Overview Hamilton County Schools, located in Chattanooga, TN, is working to ensure that all students thrive and experience a future without limits. We are committed to excellence for every student and are seeking outstanding leaders, teachers, support staff, and district employees who desire to make a difference in the lives of students. With nearly 75 schools, we are confident that you can find your place in Hamilton County.

Opportunity High Overview

The purpose of Opportunity High is to serve as a catalyst for transformation in the lives of over-age, under-credit students. Through a personalized and nurturing educational environment, we aim to instill academic competence, workforce-ready skills, and emotional resilience, thereby fulfilling our broader vision of elevating the standard for equitable education and creating impactful citizens.

Opportunity High is a transformative educational experience whose mission is to provide a dynamic, nurturing, and innovative educational setting explicitly tailored for students who are over age and under credit. We equip them with the academic, workforce-ready, and emotional tools they need for thriving futures.

Our vision is to be the national beacon for innovative, equitable, and high-quality education tailored for each student's unique needs and potential, regardless of age or background. We aim to be a dynamic learning hub where real-world curricula, a robust support ecosystem, and lifelong learning opportunities empower our students to become resilient, responsible, and resourceful contributors to society.

Core Values

• Resilience: We believe that every student can overcome obstacles and succeed.
• Equity: Providing tailored learning experiences to meet the unique needs of every student.
• Inclusivity: Creating a safe, welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds.
• Accountability: Holding ourselves and our students responsible for personal and collective growth.
• Innovation: Constantly evolving our methods to offer the best possible educational experience.
• Empowerment: Equipping students to take control of their lives and make informed decisions.
• Community: Building lasting relationships with all stakeholders, including students, staff, and parents

Academic Press: Learning Systems & Structures

• Personalized Learning Plans: Customizable education tracks to cater to individual learning styles. Curriculum tailored to student needs with alternative assessments.
• Credit Recovery Programs: Fast-track options for students to catch up academically.
• Real-World Application: Incorporating real-world problems and solutions into the curriculum.
• Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment Options: For students who wish to accelerate their learning.
• Flexible Pacing: Self-paced courses allow students to accelerate or take more time as needed.
• Digital Learning Platforms: To supplement in-person learning and offer flexibility.
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Real-world problems often require knowledge in multiple subject areas; our curriculum reflects this.
• Blended Learning: Mix of online and in-person teaching.
• Scaffolding: Helping students with partial understanding to master a subject.
• Coaching: Researched based coaching to support and guide students through their learning journeys

Learn more about working for Hamilton County Schools at careers.hcde.org and get to know us and our strategic plan, Opportunity 2030.

Responsibilities

• The ENL Teacher teaches the English language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing to the extent that the language learner will achieve success in all content areas at grade level.
• Teaching & Learning:
  • Plan, organize, and provide instruction in English using the TN Academic and WIDA English Language Development Standards. Instruction must be consistent and coordinated with the district’s instructional program so that students meet and exceed learning targets and the requirements outlined in the state and federal law.
  • Develop and deliver lesson plans utilizing a broad range of appropriate differentiated techniques and strategies addressing all aspects of communication that develop each student’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen in content areas at levels that ensure learners meet or exceed learning targets, and allow English learners to meaningfully access the district’s instructional program.
  • Screen all potential ELs using the WIDA Screener. Submit the results to parents and cumulative record.
  • Administer academic and language assessments for the purpose of evaluating students’ progress in meeting academic learning targets and progress in language acquisition. Maintains complete and accurate records of students’ progress and evidence of growth and progress.
  • Develops and maintains individualized instructional plans for each student (LLIP).
  • Collaborates with general education teachers of language learners with scheduling , instruction, modifications, and assessment.
• Classroom Culture: Provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive learning environment with high expectations that encourage student responsibility, enhance motivation, clearly communicate classroom routines, and incorporate challenging instructional strategies.
• Family & Community: Facilitate frequent and effective home-school communication by coordinating conferences, written communication, parent trainings and other meetings/events, and administrative support for childcare, interpreting, translations, etc.
• Professional Responsibilities: Actively participates in professional learning communities (PLCs) with colleagues in order to improve teaching and student learning. Reflect on instruction and leadership while contributing ideas, expertise, and time to the mission and goals of the school.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrates fluency in all four language domains: reading writing, listening, and speaking
• Committed to high academic achievement and high expectations for all students
• Able to be a positive team-player and communicate effectively with colleagues, supervisors, students, and families
• Open to being coached and receiving feedback in order to advance learning and growth for students
• Professional with high personal standards and integrity
• Teaching candidates must hold a valid state of Tennessee teaching certification in ESOL (K-12) or be upcoming graduates in an accredited teacher preparation program. If you hold a teaching license in another state, you must apply for a Tennessee teaching license.
• Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree.

Compensation

Salary is based on a combination of relevant education and experience.

Salary Scale

This position may be eligible for an increase in total compensation. The Differentiated Compensation Plan applies to designated schools and hard-to-staff positions. Please see https://www.hcde.org/staff/human_resources/differentiated_compensation for more details.