Director Of Multilingual Learners With Disabilities (Sy24-25)

Reports To: Deputy Chief of Instructional Supports

BPS Overview:

Boston Public Schools (BPS) serves over 48,000 children in 123 schools. BPS enrolls over 17,000 students identified as Multilingual Learner students (MLs), with approximately 3,000 multilingual learners with disabilities. Our multilingual students speak 100 languages and represent 30% of the District's total student population. In addition, 13% of our students are former English Learners who have attained English proficiency while in BPS. We fundamentally believe that schools are the unit of change where our school leadership teams and educators create rigorous, supportive, and safe environments for every child to reach their full potential. Our work as a district is to ensure this is possible at every one of our schools.

Position Overview:

The Boston Public Schools is looking for a leader with extensive experience serving Multilingual Learners with Disabilities (MLWD) in the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education (OMME). he Director MLWD will be charged with executing the portion of the OMME strategic plan that focuses on improving services and academic outcomes for our MLWDs. This will include working in close collaboration with key members of OMME and the Office of Special Education to provide guidance, supervision, and resources to educators who work with multilingual students and receive special education in all classroom settings (Special Education, Dual Language, and SEI). The MLWD Director will provide leadership in the growth of effective practices and provide professional development for Multilingual Learner Education and Special Education teachers and staff to provide MLWDs full access to curriculum and learning and promote academic, social, and emotional success development and outcomes for these students. The Director MLWD will report to the Deputy Chief of Instruction and Curriculum and operate out of both the Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education and the Office of Specialized Services.

Responsibilities

• Remain current in research in the field related to programmatic and instructional information regarding Special Education and Dual Language Learners

• Champion the vision of increased access to Dual Language and Inclusive Education for students with a range of learning strengths and needs

• Develop shared knowledge, partnership, and engagement opportunities for parents and family members in the education of their children with a focus on MLWD

• Review current MLWD programming to ensure a continuum of services that support improved academic and life outcomes for students

• Ensure that MLWD programming is in full compliance with laws and regulations that secure the rights and opportunities for Multilingual Learners and Students with Disabilities and their families

• Collaborate with District Leaders, School Principals, and Administrators to increase their capacity by deepening knowledge and expertise in instructional practices and compliance with regulations that secure the rights and opportunities of MLWDs

• Manage compliance requirements by providing leadership, guidance, and technical assistance in all aspects related to MLWDs that encompass both MLE and Special Education processes

• Guide the development of MLWDs schedules that include Dual Language, ESL/ELD, and Special Education services as appropriate to student needs

• Develop systems for ongoing and periodic data development, review, analysis, and response

• Monitor programs, instruction, and interventions to ensure that students make progress towards goals and make and communicate programmatic and curricular changes and improvements as needed

• Monitor academic and social and emotional growth through the review of assessment data and respond by deploying coaching support and/or make adjustments and modifications to curriculum materials and improvements in instructional practices

• Provide leadership in engagement with community stakeholders and contribute to periodic reports and presentations on topics relevant to MLWDs

• Increase the capacity of educators to meet the instructional, learning, and developmental needs of MLWDs through the development of observation, supervision, and coaching tools and practices

• Provide guidance and tools to principals in staff evaluation regarding meeting the instructional, learning, and developmental needs of MLWDs

• Plan and provide professional development to increase the capacity of educators to meet the instructional, learning, and developmental needs of MLWDs

• Support with ensuring the Racial equity planning tool is used regularly within OMME

• Performs such other tasks and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Chief of OMME, the Chief of Specialized Services, the Deputy Chief of Curriculum and Instruction, and the Senior Deputy Superintendent of Academics

Qualifications

• Required:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field
• MA Licensure in ESL or Special Education

• Dual License highly preferred

• MA Licensure in Administration (Principal, Supervisor/Director and/or Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent)

• Minimum 2 years experience in leading instructional teams with a demonstrated increase in the level of responsibilities and work performance in a school district or organization;

• Minimum 5 years of experience working with Multilingual Learners and Special Education students in an education setting;

• Proven record of designing cycles of learning for adults to better to improve instructional skills for MLWDs and/or Special Education students

• Demonstrated capacity to cultivate a team dynamic that seeks constructive criticism for continuous improvement, creates safe spaces for team feedback, and takes ownership of producing high-quality work on time;

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with diverse groups of people.

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, with good editorial skills.

• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail;

• Ability to develop, articulate, and build buy-in to clear vision and mission;

• Ability to offer innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems;

• Skill in exhibiting a strong focus on goals and results; sets clear metrics for success;

• Ability to thrive in an achievement-oriented and fast-paced environment;

• Demonstrated proficiency in excellent execution and project management skills, including the ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps;

• Proven ability to work independently, exercise judgment, and manage multiple tasks and priorities;

• Demonstrates deep understanding and commitment to equity, including interest in understanding self and others' racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural identities in relation to educational opportunity and achievement.

• Familiarity with Boston and Boston Public Schools;

• Current authorization to work in the United States.

Qualifications

• Preferred:

• Doctorate degree in Education or a related field

• Working knowledge of program design, implementation, and evaluation as it pertains to Dual Language, Transitional Bilingual Education, Sheltered Instruction, and SLIFE Programs for MLWDs;

• Working knowledge of program design for Special Education inclusive environments

• Native or Second Language Proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Kreyol, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Portuguese, or Somali

Terms: Managerial, D61.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.