French Language Coordinator/Teacher (SY 25-26)

Who We Are

District of Columbia International School (DCI) is a public charter school serving over 1600 racially and economically diverse students in grades 6-12 from across the District of Columbia. We aim to provide our students with a world-class education that empowers them to follow their passions and change the world. DCI's education centers on an International Baccalaureate curriculum, advanced language learning in Chinese, Spanish, and French, and a culture focused on student agency supported by 1:1 technology.

Position Overview: DCI is hiring a full-time French Language Coordinator/Teacher. We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled French Language Coordinator/Teacher to join our leadership team at DC International School. The French Language Curriculum Coordinator/Teacher is responsible for managing curriculum development and systematization, coordinating professional development, and coaching teachers to ensure data-informed instruction. The position also involves close collaboration with school leaders, teachers, students, and families to advance DCI's commitment to language learning. The Coordinator/Teacher also teaches one to two courses. Working in partnership with the Director of Language Learning, Language Coordinators, and school leadership, this role blends instructional leadership with hands-on teaching to elevate language learning school-wide.

Salary Range: $63,113 - $116,323 (Starting salary is determined by education and years of relevant experience)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Fluency in French and prior experience teaching language acquisition is required.
• Previous experience as a coach, teacher leader or supervisor of teachers is required.
• Master's preferred from an accredited institution in world language and/or curriculum development preferred.
• Experience developing language proficiency-based curricula is strongly preferred.
• Experience in immersion or dual language instruction at the upper elementary, middle school and/or high school level is preferred.
• Experience working closely with diverse families.
• Strong interest in, or experience with, language acquisition, and IB Middle Years Program model.
• Commitment to ensuring access and achievement for our learners with exceptional learning needs.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills.

Key Qualities & Skills:

Work closely with the DCI Director of Language Learning to lead language teachers in the development of an engaging world-class language program using an immersion approach grounded in IB principles. The work will be focused in these 5 areas:

Curriculum Development and Systematization:

• Lead the development and systematization of DCI Language curriculum (language immersion classes and language electives). This includes, among other tasks, planning and leading curriculum planning meetings, securing and reviewing materials to inform curriculum planning, ensuring IB-alignment, and ensuring vertical articulation of objectives and tasks.
• Coordinate and/or facilitate unit and lesson planning meetings for 6-12 IB language teachers, who teach novice through advanced classes in Chinese, French and Spanish; as well as language electives.
• Partner with leaders in other departments to contribute to the development of the Chinese, French and Spanish curricula in social studies and arts.

Professional Development, Supervision and Coaching:

• Develop DCI's Language Department professional development plan in collaboration with the Director of Language Learning and language department chairs based on student and instructional data. Research, secure and/or provide professional development to language teachers based on this plan.
• Coach language teachers to ensure understanding and implementation of strategies to promote positive classroom management and culture; language teaching best practices; IB language curriculum and assessment practices; and student work analysis to inform feedback and instruction. Coaching may include lesson observations and debriefs, co-planning with rehearsal, modeling lessons, peer observations, etc.
• Supervise a subset of language teachers using DCI teacher effectiveness rubrics and processes.

Teach One to Two Classes to Model Excellent Instruction

Assessment and Data-Based Instruction:

• Collaborate with department chairs to monitor and support the quality and frequency of grading and feedback in language classes.
• Lead teachers in the analysis of student work and standardized assessment results to improve curriculum and instruction.
• Work closely with IB MYP and DP leaders to coordinate IB language assessments.
• In partnership with the language team, work closely with the DCI Assessment Team to coordinate the yearly administration of STAMP language assessment

Collaboration to Support DCI's Focus on Language Learning Across the School:

• Communicate with students and families in relation to our language program's structure, instructional approach, requirements and events. Advise and problem-solve with students and families as needed.
• Collaborate with DCI Student Support team to ensure students receive legally mandated accommodations in language classes; focusing particularly on dually identified students.
• Partner with colleagues to create a culture of language learning and appreciation throughout the school for all students.
• Embrace French, Spanish, and Chinese cultures by leading and participating in cultural activities for faculty and students.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Foster and maintain IB concept driven, inquiry based approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Ensure environmental stewardship, social justice, and that international mindedness is infused into pedagogy and practice.
• Handle the intensity required to work in a high-performing charter school, and remain organized, responsible, and accountable.
• Engages fully in the evaluation process. Accept and implement feedback received for real-time improvement.
• Model professionalism by being student-centered; hardworking; invariably ethical and forthright; and using impeccable judgment.
• Work closely with school leaders to implement a DCI strategic plan, with a focus on language programming and instruction. Help identify areas for improvement and propose solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Faculty and Staff Development/Benefits: DCI is committed to the principles of servant leadership and to providing faculty and staff with the resources and training they need to provide an excellent education experience for every student and family.

• We have a benefits package that includes health and disability insurance and paid leave.
• We offer teachers daily planning time, professional development, and reasonable class sizes.
• Teachers and staff have the appropriate technology and support to do their work

DC International School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural and multilingual environment.