Position: High School English Language Development (ELD) Teacher

Supervisor: School Principal

General Job Description

Bernalillo Public Schools is seeking a passionate, reflective, and student-centered High School English Language Development (ELD) Teacher who believes deeply in the brilliance of every student and is committed to creating joyful, rigorous, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments.

The ELD Teacher provides specialized English language development instruction to multilingual learners in grades 9–12, supporting their academic achievement, English language proficiency, and successful progression toward high school graduation and postsecondary opportunities.

The teacher designs and delivers explicit, systematic, and differentiated language instruction aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, New Mexico Content Standards, and applicable New Mexico Public Education Department requirements.

The ELD Teacher works collaboratively with general education teachers, counselors, administrators, families, and district personnel to ensure multilingual learners have equitable access to rigorous grade-level curriculum, appropriate language development services, and meaningful opportunities for academic and personal growth..

Our Community

Bernalillo Public Schools honors the historic homelands of the Pueblo people and the shared contributions of Pueblo communities and descendants of Spanish settlers in establishing vibrant communities, both historically and today.

We serve a close-knit, rural community with a richly diverse student population, including Hispanic and Native American students whose families maintain strong connections to culture, language, land, and community.

Many of our students are bilingual or multilingual, bringing valuable linguistic knowledge, cultural identities, and lived experiences into our classrooms.

Teaching at Bernalillo Public Schools means recognizing these strengths, establishing meaningful partnerships with families, and providing high-quality instruction that prepares students for success in school, college, careers, and life.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. English Language Development Instruction

Plan, develop, and deliver high-quality, evidence-based English language development instruction for multilingual learners in grades 9–12.
Provide designated ELD instruction focused on developing academic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Align instruction with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework and New Mexico academic content standards.
Develop language objectives that support grade-level academic content and English language proficiency growth.
Differentiate instruction based on students' English language proficiency levels, academic backgrounds, educational experiences, and individual learning needs.
Use research-based strategies, including scaffolding, explicit vocabulary instruction, structured academic conversations, collaborative learning, and language modeling.
Incorporate authentic texts, culturally relevant materials, and meaningful academic tasks that promote critical thinking and communication.
Support newcomer students and students with interrupted or limited formal education through appropriate instructional strategies.
Create a classroom environment that values multilingualism, student identity, and linguistic diversity.

2. Student Assessment and Progress Monitoring

Administer or support required English language proficiency assessments, including WIDA ACCESS for ELLs and WIDA Screener, as assigned and in accordance with state requirements.
Analyze English language proficiency assessment results, classroom assessments, and academic performance data to inform instructional decisions.
Establish measurable language development goals and monitor individual student progress.
Maintain accurate documentation of English language development services, assessment results, student progress, and instructional interventions.
Collaborate with district and school personnel to identify students who may require additional academic or language development support.
Participate in the identification, placement, monitoring, and reclassification processes for English learners in accordance with NMPED requirements.
Monitor the academic progress of former English learners as required by federal and state regulations.
Communicate student progress and instructional recommendations to students, families, teachers, and administrators.

3. Collaboration and Instructional Support

Collaborate with content-area teachers to integrate academic language development across English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and career and technical education.
Support teachers in implementing effective instructional scaffolds and appropriate language accommodations.
Participate in professional learning communities (PLCs), student support teams, and collaborative instructional planning.
Assist in reviewing student achievement data and identifying strategies to close opportunity and achievement gaps.
Coordinate with special education teachers and related service providers to ensure appropriate services for multilingual learners with disabilities.
Collaborate with counselors to support student course placement, credit accumulation, graduation planning, and postsecondary readiness.
Participate in school improvement initiatives focused on multilingual learner achievement and equitable educational opportunities.

4. Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching

Implement culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices that affirm students' cultural backgrounds, identities, and home languages.
Recognize students' multilingualism as an asset that contributes to academic learning and classroom engagement.
Develop positive relationships with students and families built on mutual respect, trust, and high expectations.
Incorporate culturally relevant literature, learning materials, and instructional examples into classroom instruction.
Support the academic and social-emotional needs of multilingual learners while promoting student confidence, belonging, and self-advocacy.
Promote an inclusive school culture that respects and celebrates the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Bernalillo community.
Encourage family engagement and facilitate meaningful communication with families, using interpretation and translation resources when appropriate.

5. Student Success and Graduation Readiness

Support multilingual learners in accessing grade-level instruction and meeting New Mexico high school graduation requirements.
Collaborate with counselors and administrators to monitor credits, attendance, academic performance, and progress toward graduation.
Provide language development support that strengthens students' ability to understand academic texts, communicate effectively, and complete complex assignments.
Assist students in developing academic vocabulary, research skills, writing proficiency, oral presentation skills, and critical thinking.
Support college, career, and workforce readiness through instruction that develops academic and professional communication skills.
Identify students at risk of academic failure and collaborate with school teams to implement timely interventions.
Encourage students to pursue advanced coursework, career pathways, dual credit opportunities, and postsecondary education when appropriate.

6. Classroom Management and Professional Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a safe, structured, supportive, and academically rigorous learning environment.
Implement positive behavioral supports and restorative practices consistent with district policies.
Maintain accurate records of attendance, grades, assessments, student progress, and instructional services.
Prepare lesson plans and instructional materials aligned with district curriculum and state standards.
Participate in required professional development, faculty meetings, district initiatives, and school improvement activities.
Maintain professional and ethical relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community members.
Protect confidential student information in accordance with FERPA and applicable federal and state laws.
Comply with district policies, administrative procedures, professional standards, and applicable collective bargaining agreement provisions.
Perform additional duties reasonably related to the position as assigned by the building principal or designee.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Completion of an approved educator preparation program or eligibility for an appropriate New Mexico teaching license.

Licensure

Possession of, or eligibility for, a valid New Mexico Public Education Department teaching license appropriate for the assigned high school teaching duties.
Possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a New Mexico Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) endorsement, or another state-authorized credential appropriate for the specific ELD assignment.
Ability to maintain all required licensure and endorsements throughout employment.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of English language acquisition, second-language development, and culturally and linguistically responsive teaching.
Understanding of WIDA English Language Development Standards and English language proficiency assessments.
Ability to differentiate instruction for students at varying English proficiency levels.
Knowledge of New Mexico academic content standards and secondary instructional practices.
Strong classroom management, communication, collaboration, and organizational skills.
Ability to analyze student achievement data and implement appropriate instructional interventions.
Ability to establish positive working relationships with students, families, colleagues, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in TESOL, bilingual education, education, or a related field.
Experience teaching English language development at the secondary level.
Experience working with newcomer students, long-term English learners, and students with interrupted formal education.
Experience implementing WIDA standards and administering or interpreting WIDA assessments.
Experience collaborating with secondary content-area teachers to support multilingual learners.
Experience working with Native American, Hispanic, rural, and multilingual communities.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish or another language represented in the Bernalillo Public Schools community.
Knowledge of New Mexico's bilingual multicultural education framework and English learner program requirements.

Professional Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

Student-Centered Mindset: Believes every student is capable of academic growth and success.
Cultural Responsiveness: Honors and integrates students' cultural and linguistic assets.
Instructional Excellence: Designs engaging, standards-aligned, differentiated instruction.
Collaboration: Builds productive relationships with colleagues, families, and community members.
Data-Informed Decision-Making: Uses student performance and language proficiency data to improve instruction.
Equity and Inclusion: Maintains high expectations while removing barriers to student learning.
Professional Accountability: Demonstrates ethical conduct, reliability, continuous improvement, and commitment to district goals.

Physical and Working Conditions

Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work is primarily performed in a classroom or school environment.
Requires regular interaction with students, staff, families, and administrators.
May require standing, walking, sitting, speaking, hearing, and use of classroom technology throughout the workday.
May require participation in professional development, meetings, and school-related activities outside regular instructional periods, consistent with contractual requirements.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the applicable New Mexico educator evaluation requirements, Bernalillo Public Schools policies and procedures, and the negotiated collective bargaining agreement.
Evaluation may include instructional planning and delivery, student learning and language development, classroom environment, professional responsibilities, collaboration, and compliance with applicable district and state expectations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Bernalillo Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and nondiscriminatory work environment.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, disability, age, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Disclaimer

This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of an employee assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Bernalillo Public Schools reserves the right to modify job duties and responsibilities consistent with district needs, applicable law, board policy, and collective bargaining agreements.

Physical Requirements

Sitting, standing, walking, lifting (up to 50 pounds), and other physical activity typical of a secondary classroom environment.

Work Environment

Classroom and school-based environment. Occasional evenings for family engagement, student events, or professional learning.

Terms of Employment

As determined by district calendar and collective bargaining agreement.

Teacher | English Language Development (ELD)