REDWOOD CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 

NEWCOMER PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT-TEACHER ON SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT (TOSA)

RCSD takes pride in our dedicated workforce and strong connection with our students, families, and community. Our highly dedicated and skilled team of professionals provides a safe and supportive, inspirational and rigorous, joyful and inclusive environment for all learners. We are looking to build our workforce with a staff who share this vision and want to instill passion in learning emphasizing student strengths and gifts for all learners: all abilities, all ethnicities and cultural identities, LGBTQ+ youth, and multilingual learners.

Under the direction of the Director of English Language Development, and in collaboration with the Ed Services Department, the Newcomer Program Development TOSA will provide guidance in the establishment of a districtwide newcomer program model that provides supports to recently arrived children and their families. In addition to the development of the program design, the NPD TOSA will provide direction and support to teachers of English Language Development, mathematics and other content area instruction to Newcomer students in a multi-grade setting and possibly at multiple school sites. The Newcomer TOSA will also provide support for primary language support in Spanish as needed, orient teachers to the instructional practices that best integrate students to U.S. schools, and prepare them to be fluent English speakers.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The following are typical of the duties and responsibilities which may be assigned:

Provides coaching and professional development to the classroom teacher in order to provide direct instruction to pupils in English Language Development (ELD) and in other subject areas as needed.

Provides coaching and professional development in order to maximize the use of primary language support as needed to make new learning comprehensible to students.

Assists teachers in learning and applying effective practices that develop basic school skills necessary for success in a classroom.

Observes teachers and students in order to determine the appropriate strategies and approaches to be utilized to make instruction most effective for Newcomer students.

Demonstrates to classroom teachers how to keep records on individual pupil progress and assists in pre and post testing for entering and exiting Newcomer pupils.

Collaborates with other teachers in planning instruction and grouping students for focused instruction.

Provides District Staff Development related to English Language Development methodology.

Communicates with families and provides professional development to parents on how to help with students at home

Conducts intake interviews with families when appropriate in order to connect families with community resources.

Teaches small groups of students or certain daily periods as a “lab” setting for other teachers to visit and learn high quality strategies

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of spoken and written English including grammar, language forms and functions

Knowledge and experience utilizing equity-based methods of discipline and motivation with students of color and English learners

Familiarity with the second language acquisition process and current research-based methods for teaching English learners

Demonstrated ability to communicate, understand, and work effectively with students of color and English learners, their parents and other school personnel

Recommended knowledge of the Spanish language to communicate, understand, and work effectively with students and their parents

Requirements

CA Teaching Credential

5 years of experience working with newcomer students

Spanish Bilingual preferred

Personal Qualities: Appearance, grooming and personality which establish a desirable example for students. Professional conduct is expected with students, staff and families. Collaboration with administration and staff is expected.

Ability to:

• Monitor and record student progress in a manner that is understandable to students and parents;

• Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including students, parents and co-workers;

• Represent and support the district or school in conversations with the public;

• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing;

Knowledge of:

• Student learning and development principles and practices;

• Assigned subject matter, including approved district course of study and curriculum;

• Pedagogical methods and techniques that promote student learning;

• Student supervision and intervention practices in classroom and campus settings;

• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary;

• Reading and writing communication skills;

• Interpersonal relations skills using tact, patience, and courtesy;

• Record-keeping techniques and platforms

Physical Abilities:

• Sufficient vision to read material with or without vision aides;

• Sufficient hearing to conduct in-person conversations with students, teachers and parents;

• Sufficient voice volume to be heard at normal conversational distances;

• Ability to stand, sit or walk for extended periods of time;

• Physical, mental and emotional stamina to endure stressful conditions;

• Use hands to touch, handle, reach, feel objects, controls, or tools;

• Occasionally lift or move up to 20 pounds;

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The Redwood City School District (RCSD) is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. RCSD makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

The Redwood City School District seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities of its surrounding communities.

Salary Schedule: Certificated

Work Year: Certificated Teacher