Middle School English Language Development Teacher (Grades 6, 7, 8)
Garfield County School District 16
Job Description: Job Title: Middle School English Language Development Teacher (Grades 6, 7, 8)
Department/Location: Grand Valley Middle School
Job Family: Certified Licensed
FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Work Calendar: Teacher
Pay Range: T Salary Schedule: $45,000.00 - $84,112.00
Reports To: Building Principal
Supervises: Students
Job ID#: 1496
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Middle School English Language Development (ELD) Teacher supports multilingual learners (MLs) in grades 6–8 by providing direct English Language Development instruction aligned to the Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards and district programming. The ELD Teacher helps students develop academic language skills necessary for success in middle school coursework, including English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. This position may provide instruction through multiple service delivery models including scheduled ELD courses, sheltered instruction, pull-out small groups, push-in classroom support, co-teaching, and consultation with content teachers. The ELD Teacher supports student growth in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while promoting an inclusive learning environment that values cultural identity, language development, and student belonging.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
English Language Development Instruction & Student Learning
• Provide direct English Language Development instruction aligned to the Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards and district-adopted curriculum.
• Develop and implement lesson plans that include clear language objectives aligned to student proficiency levels.
• Support student growth in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through explicit instruction in academic language.
• Provide ELD instruction through multiple service delivery models, including scheduled ELD class periods, sheltered instruction, pull-out small group intervention, push-in support within core content classrooms, and co-teaching or collaborative instructional planning with content teachers.
• Teach academic vocabulary, language structures, comprehension strategies, and writing skills necessary for middle school coursework.
• Support students in developing skills needed for success in middle school, including organization, note-taking, interpreting assignments, and participating in academic discussions.
• Utilize research-based instructional strategies, including scaffolding techniques and structured language supports.
• Differentiate instruction based on students' language proficiency levels and academic background.
• Provide targeted support for newcomer students, students with interrupted formal education, and students requiring additional literacy intervention.
• Use instructional routines that build language through speaking and listening (discussion protocols, sentence frames, structured partner work).
• Monitor student progress through frequent informal assessments and language development measures and use data to provide feedback, adjust instruction, and support continuous language growth.
• Administer and analyze language proficiency data, including ACCESS for ELLs results and local measures, to monitor progress and inform instruction.
• Support student reclassification and ongoing monitoring in accordance with district and state guidelines.
• Implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), 504 Plans, and behavior support plans as required.
Classroom Environment, Safety & Student Well-Being
• Establish and maintain a respectful, inclusive classroom culture that affirms students' linguistic and cultural identities and promotes a sense of belonging.
• Foster a safe environment where students feel confident practicing and developing English through structured discussion, collaboration, and academic risk-taking.
• Promote perseverance, self-advocacy, and responsible academic habits necessary for success in a middle school setting.
• Implement proactive classroom management strategies aligned with district expectations and responsive to the needs of multilingual learners.
• Supervise students at all times to ensure safety, including during classroom activities, transitions, lunch, field trips, and transportation loading and unloading.
• Report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law.
Collaboration & Content Access Support
• Collaborate with general education teachers to integrate language objectives into content instruction.
• Support implementation of sheltered instructional strategies to ensure multilingual learners can access grade-level academic content.
• Provide classroom-based coaching and modeling of effective language supports and scaffolds.
• Participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), MTSS processes, and data meetings to support student growth.
• Coordinate with special education staff and intervention teams to ensure comprehensive support for students with multiple needs.
Student Support, Advocacy & Family Communication
• Foster a welcoming, inclusive environment that affirms student identity, culture, and home language.
• Advocate for equitable access to rigorous instruction and academic opportunities.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with parents/guardians regarding student progress and ELD services.
• Participate in student and family conferences, IEP/504 meetings, and required program meetings.
• Support newcomer students and families in understanding school systems, expectations, and academic pathways.
Professional Responsibilities & Compliance
• Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Maintain confidentiality of student, family, and staff information.
• Comply with all applicable federal and Colorado laws, Board of Education policies, and district procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of grades, attendance, and required documentation.
• Demonstrate consistent, punctual attendance and fulfill contractual obligations.
• Utilize district technology systems appropriately and in accordance with policy.
• Protect and maintain district property, instructional resources, and laboratory equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Principal or designee.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Knowledge of adolescent development and instructional practices appropriate for middle school students.
• Knowledge of second language acquisition and research-based English Language Development practices.
• Knowledge of the Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards and WIDA proficiency framework.
• Ability to plan and implement instruction aligned to language proficiency levels and academic expectations.
• Ability to provide instruction through multiple service delivery models including push-in, pull-out, and co-teaching support.
• Ability to support content teachers with sheltered instruction strategies and language scaffolds.
• Ability to interpret and apply language proficiency assessment data, including ACCESS for ELLs results.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively as part of a professional team.
• Ability to work effectively with students and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to frequent interruptions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with completion of an approved teacher licensure program.
• Valid Colorado Teaching License.
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Endorsement as recognized by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), or ability to obtain within a district-established timeline.
• Successful completion of annual required training for ACCESS for ELLs administration and test security as required by the district and CDE.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Previous teaching experience supporting multilingual learners in a middle school setting.
• Experience providing ELD instruction through sheltered instruction, push-in support, pull-out intervention, and/or co-teaching models.
• Training in WIDA instructional tools and strategies, including Can Do Descriptors and proficiency-level supports.
• Experience supporting newcomer students and families.
• Multilingual skills.
• Experience working with students with diverse learning needs, including IEP and 504 populations.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
• Physical ability to perform essential job functions, including standing, walking, sitting, and occasional lifting.
• Work occurs in multiple instructional settings including classrooms, small group learning spaces, and collaborative planning environments.
• Frequent collaboration with staff and communication with families.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not exhaustive and may change as needed. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change by the district.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, Garfield County School District No.16 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, family composition, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Harassment, if it rises to the level described in state law, is a prohibited form of discrimination.