Multilingual Learner (ML) Department Chair -District

Biddeford School Department; Biddeford (ME); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Biddeford School Department is seeking a Multilingual Learner (ML) Department Chair to lead instructional models and manage assessments across the district. The role involves substantial collaboration with staff to ensure compliance with relevant educational requirements.

The ideal candidate will hold a valid Maine teaching certificate and a Master's degree in a relevant field. Experience working with multilingual learners is essential.

Position offers a meaningful opportunity to engage with diverse communities!

Qualifications

• Valid Maine teaching certificate with ESL or ESOL endorsement.
• Minimum of five years of successful teaching experience with multilingual learners.

Responsibilities

• Make recommendations regarding multilingual learner instructional models.
• Monitor and coordinate district-wide ML assessments.
• Assist with ML teacher staffing deployments.
• Conduct annual compliance reviews for ML program policies.
• Oversee coordination of translation and interpretation services.

Skills

Instructional Leadership

Assessment and Data Management

Staffing and Program Coordination

Policy and Compliance

Family and Community Engagement

Education

Master's degree in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or related field

Job description

Job Title

Multilingual Learner (ML) Department Chair - District

Specific Job Details

Starting ASAP. Find the Biddeford School Department's Three Pillars of Commitment to Students attached. Check out why we are a different experience.

Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership – Make recommendations to senior leadership regarding instructional models and best practices for multilingual learner programming. Facilitate the ML Curriculum Design Team to ensure coherent and vertically aligned programming across all grade levels (K-12).
• Assessment and Data Management – Monitor and coordinate district-wide ML assessments including WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs administration. Analyze annual WIDA scores and other assessment data to inform instructional practices and programming decisions.
• Staffing and Program Coordination – Assist senior leadership with recommendations for ML teacher staffing deployments and resource allocation across all buildings. Coordinate services and collaboration between ESOL specialists and mainstream teachers in partnership with building administrators.
• Policy and Compliance – Conduct annual review and updates of the district's LAU Plan to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements. Ensure compliance with all federal ML education requirements including Title VI, ESSA, and relevant Supreme Court decisions (Lau v. Nichols, Plyler v. Doe, Castañeda v. Pickard). Coordinate with building administrators to ensure consistent implementation of ML program policies and procedures.
• Family and Community Engagement – Oversee coordination of translation and interpretation services to ensure meaningful communication with ML families. Support and facilitate community partnerships for cultural brokering and case management services.

Certification / License

Valid Maine teaching certificate with endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL) or English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Criminal History Record Check (CHRC), which includes Fingerprints on file with the Maine Department of Education.

Education

Master's degree in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, Bilingual Education, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of successful teaching experience with multilingual learners.
• Demonstrated knowledge of second language acquisition theory, sheltered instruction strategies, and differentiated instruction for English learners.
• Working knowledge of WIDA standards, ACCESS for ELLs assessment, Language Acquisition Plans (ILAPs), and federal compliance requirements under Title VI and ESSA.

Equal Opportunity

The School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The District shall actively work to ensure that the teacher and administrator workforce reflects the diversity of the student body. Selections will be based on highest capabilities, commitment to quality education, and likelihood of effective implementation, without consideration of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, marital status, parental status, disability or genetic information, pregnancy, membership in an employee organization, military service, political affiliation, or any other state or federal prohibitions.

Criminal Background Check

All employees of Maine schools must be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check. Create a Department of Education log‑in and make an appointment for a fingerprinting appointment at https://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting.