Language Coordinator

Job Description World Language Coordinator American Community School of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) Position Posted Sep 25, 19 Deadline Nov 15, 19 American Community School of Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Seeks a new World Language Coordinator Start date is August 2020 School Identity Established in 1972, the American Community School of Abu Dhabi is a non-profit, U.S. accredited college preparatory school serving a culturally diverse student body. Our American, standards-based curriculum provides excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and service. Vision We are a compassionate, student-centered community of learners that engages, prepares, and inspires. Mission Our community empowers all students to define and shape their futures for learning, service, and global citizenship. Background Established in 1972, ACS is a private, non-profit school licensed by the U.A.E. Ministry of Education, accredited by the Middle States Association, administered by the Superintendent and governed by an eleven-person Board of Trustees. Community support for excellence in education, a strong leadership team, highly qualified faculty and staff, and outstanding students have enabled ACS to establish an excellent reputation in the Abu Dhabi community and worldwide. ACS currently has 1200 students and will be moving to a new campus on Saadiyat Island in a few years. This new campus will be built to accommodate 1500 students and is approximately 10 minutes from our current campus. Because of the continuing development of Abu Dhabi, we typically have more applications for admission than available seats. Our Students The 1200 students at ACS represent 50 different nationalities, with Americans representing the largest segment of the student body at 64%. Enrollment is open to all English-speaking students who are likely to be able to successfully complete our challenging American, college preparatory curriculum. Our elementary school facility was completed in 2001. The students in our KG1 through third grade enjoy learning in small classes, while our fourth and fifth-grade students enjoy a newly constructed building of their own. Our sixth through eighth-grade middle school students have their own physical space on campus with each grade level having a distinct area. Our high school students in grades nine through twelve round out a challenging academic program by competing in local and regional sports events, performing in school plays and concerts, exhibiting artwork in the community, traveling internationally in the service of others, and participating in many other life-skills and character-building activities. Our People An eleven-member Board of Trustees governs ACS. Trustees are non-employee members of the American Community School Association. Eight members are elected by the Parent Teacher Association which includes parents, administrators, faculty and staff; and three members are appointed by the elected Board. Our administration team includes a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, three Principals, and two assistant principals. They are supported by Directors in Finance, Human Resource, Athletic/Activities, Technology, Government Relations, Admissions, Institutional Advancement, and Facilities. ACS faculty members are dedicated professionals who work together in collaborative teams to develop and deliver the curriculum. ACS currently employs 136 faculty members, creating an overall student/teacher ratio of 9:2. Approximately 70% of ACS faculty members have Master’s degrees or more, and roughly 70% of our teachers have at least 10 years of teaching experience. Faculty and staff are actively involved in sponsoring numerous after school activities that enhance students’ experiences at school including a variety of academic, musical, dramatic, artistic, recreational, technological, and athletic activities. Our parents are highly supportive of the school and are deeply involved in activities such as classroom enrichment, booster club, seasonal events, and intramural sports. A thriving parent volunteer program is a trademark of the school. The school encourages students to be involved in after-school programs and community support makes this possible. Our students contribute more than 6500 hours of service annually. Our Curriculum Our curriculum is a college preparatory program that is comparable to high-quality private schools in the United States. Based on U.S. standards, it is an integrated K-12 curriculum that is reviewed annually and updated on a four-year cycle. The development of a well-aligned and relevant curriculum and the implementation of sound instructional practices contribute to the academic success of ACS students. Our Director for the Office of Learning is supported by two curriculum coaches and a data specialist. In addition to traditional core courses provided in an American school, ACS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma as well as a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, an integrated technology curriculum, a wide selection of elective courses in the middle school and high school, various fine arts options, and service opportunities for students. ACS graduates have an impressive record for college acceptances and standardized test scores. Our Location The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates established in 1972. The population of the UAE is approximately five million inhabitants of which an estimated 80% are expatriates. Wise government leadership has enabled the UAE to remain a stable and prosperous country where people of many nationalities live and work together in peace and harmony. While the official state religion is Islam, the practice of all religious beliefs is allowed. For additional information on the UAE, please visit the following links: https:// Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates, occupies 87% of UAE’s area. The Abu Dhabi government has been successful in gradually expanding the economy to reduce dependence on oil and attract a diverse professional population through the implementation of the “Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.” The island city of Abu Dhabi, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is the country’s capital. Abu Dhabi is a clean, safe, and modern city with many recreational opportunities available for residents. It is a cosmopolitan city with excellent roads and infrastructure, numerous parks, modern high-rise buildings, shopping malls, and beaches. The multinational expatriate community enjoys a pleasant environment including many western shops, restaurants, services, and cultural events. Our Facilities Our current facilities are located on a four-acre campus and include 88 classrooms, media centers, science laboratories, art and music rooms, a cafeteria, an auditorium, two gymnasiums, fitness and dance centers, a 25-meter swimming pool; synthetic grass athletic fields; and a nurse’s clinic. The school is committed to educational technology with more than 800 computers currently networked and linked to the internet for student and faculty use. RESPONSIBILITIES: Position Summary: The World Language Coordinator will provide leadership, organizational and management skills to further the mission and vision of ACS. The World Language Coordinator is a program coordinator who reports to the Office of Learning and works collaboratively with this office to: provide leadership in the implementation of proficiency-based world language programs that meet the needs of all students. provide leadership in assessment and development of a standards-based curriculum for Arabic, French and Spanish. develop a collaborative and nurturing environment that is focused on language learning. develop and lead professional learning opportunities for the Arabic and World Language departments based on current research trends in language teaching and student needs. work with the division principals and Human Resources to recruit, evaluate and retain the highest quality Arabic, French and Spanish teachers. effectively work with the parent community to deepen understanding of proficiency-based language learning and programs. act as a liaison between ACS and ADEK to ensure compliance with local regulations. adhere to ACS Professional Commitments. The World Language Coordinator must be learning focused, student-centered and enjoy working closely with teachers and students in their activities and day-to-day life at ACS. Duties and Responsibilities: Instructional Leadership: The World Language Coordinator facilitates the implementation and revision of the standards-based curriculum, based on the ACTFL standards and the ADEK requirements. He or she works with the Office of Learning and division principals to establish and assess yearly goals in alignment with ACS’s Strategic Plan, accreditation recommendations and student learning results. Professional Growth and Evaluation of Teachers: The World Language Coordinator will assist, as assigned by the Principals, in the interviewing and decision making for recruiting of exemplary faculty and instructional assistants. The Principals will work collaboratively with the World Language Coordinator in preparing the professional evaluation of Arabic, French and Spanish faculty. Additionally, the World Language Coordinator will be responsible for the coaching of faculty in conjunction with the Principals. He or she will ensure that teachers have access to professional learning opportunities that align with the school’s strategic plan. He or she will provide leadership for the implementation and follow up on professional learning activities as well as the facilitation of the ES Arabic PLT on late-start Sundays. Implementation of the School Program: The World Language Coordinator works in collaboration with the Office of Learning to provide direction to staff in implementing school-wide initiatives such as the development of instructional goals, Understanding by Design unit planning in Atlas Rubicon, implementing differentiated instruction, professional learning plans, and NESA initiatives. The coordinator will support coherent and consistent learning experiences for students by ensuring commonalities in the areas of content, skills, dispositions and expectations throughout and across grade levels and divisions. Student Learning Data: The World Language Coordinator assists in the review of the school program using both internal and external student learning data. He or she will create action plans which focus on student improvement by supporting the ongoing collection, analysis and use of information about student learning (both qualitative and quantitative) to identify next steps in learning, innovation strategies and curriculum adaptations. Student Support: The World Language Coordinator monitors the proficiency placement of Arabic students K-5 and French, Spanish and Arabic in middle and high school, ensuring that students and parents are receiving yearly appraisals of their growth. Communication: The World Language Coordinator is responsible for maintaining strong communication between the Office of Learning and Principals about the World Language program. The World Language Coordinator serves as a source of specialized information for language teachers and the community. He or she promotes and maintains open lines of communication by displaying positive attitudes towards students, teachers, and parents. The World Language Coordinator will meet weekly with the Office of Learning, and monthly with the Superintendent. Professional Learning: The World Language Coordinator is proactive in improving his or her own professional knowledge and skills in the area of leadership, curriculum, and best practices. Scheduling: The World Language Coordinator assists in the formation of the job assignments for the ES Arabic teachers. He or she will also lead and participate in special events for the total school program (Back-to-School Night, Parent Coffees, National Day, etc.). Leading a summer camp may be a requirement and will be stipended to account for the additional time commitment. SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated leadership with experience in curriculum development and co-curricular programs Significant leadership experience in the area of language education and the ability to speak with confidence and authority on world language learning in relation to developing proficiency in communication Strong academic qualifications with a Masters or advanced graduate study in education English (Native or near-native proficiency) Arabic (Native or Advanced proficiency) Additional advanced proficiency in French and/or Spanish preferred Demonstrated track record of successful teaching and leadership experience of any world language Excellent interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills Valid teaching credential with five years of teaching experience Sensitivity in meeting the needs of an international student body Experience in a similar international and/or regional environment is an advantage Proficient in IT for productivity purposes and as a tool to facilitate learning in the classroom Ability to work independently and safeguard confidential information. Application deadline is November 15, 2019 . Your cover letter, CV and references should be sent as one PDF document to: Marise Jayendran Director of Human Resources (Please contact us using the “Apply for this Job Posting” box below) Attention: If you apply for this position, please inform the school and us ( ) that you saw the notice on the Search Associates website.