Allegheny Intermediate Unit·Homestead, Pennsylvania
The ESL teacher is responsible for providing English language instruction to K-12 students, facilitating lesson plans based on academic standards, and monitoring student progress. They must also collaborate with content area teachers and communicate effectively with parents and school personnel.
Duties: and Responsibilities:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of second language acquisition, linguistics, teaching content English to English Language Learners, and sensitivity to cross-cultural aspects of teaching and learning are necessary.
2. Coordinate, facilitate, and document the screening test and state English language proficiency test to determine ELL student language proficiency levels to provide informed assessment criteria to the ESL Office for placement into instruction.
3. Maintain a schedule for student instruction and adhere to that schedule, arriving on time for instruction and remaining at each school for the established time period. Any variations to schedules must be approved by an ESL Administrator.
4. Facilitate daily lesson plans that provide sound educational and language developing academic achievement for the students that are based on the ELP Standards and state academic standards. The teacher will also incorporate regular use of formal and authentic assessment into the daily curriculum which will be recorded in a cumulative grade book.
5. Track his /her collaboration with content area teachers through the completion of a collaboration log. ESL teachers are also required to complete all necessary paperwork by established due dates, which would include but is not limited to mileage forms, time sheets, teaching schedules, and professional development requests.
6. Communicate in a collaborative manner with other school personnel to ensure compliance with policies of the student’s building principal or designated representative. Working as an integral member of the student’s instructional team, the ESL teacher is required to participate in a collaborative manner in planning, decision-making, and conferencing concerning assigned students.
7. Responsible for providing English as a Second Language instruction to assigned Limited English Proficient students in a manner that ensures development of English language skills by addressing: student's language proficiency, development of literacy and academic language competence, providing support and information to help the student adjust to and become integrated into his/her new culture, and on-going assessment through monitoring and documenting student progress.
8. Communicate with parents/ guardians concerning student’s program and progress with sensitivity to language and cultural similarities and differences.
9. Maintain professional growth by taking part in staff development, actively seeking and developing effective approaches to instruction through the application of best practices in pedagogy.
10. Promote proactive communication with ESL Administration and staff, and contribute to program effectiveness and development
Qualifications: External
1. Valid PA ESL Program Specialist certificate required
2. Valid PA certificate in Elementary K-6 and either English 7-12 or Communications 7-12, or Reading Specialist K-12 required
3. Experience teaching ESL and/or experience teaching at the elementary or secondary level or teaching English preferred
4. Excellent organizational skills, initiative, and an ability to work with limited supervision
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills
6. Self-motivator, independent, cooperative, flexible, creative, and responsible
7. Ability and experience working as a member of a team
8. Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and willingness to experiment and work with new technologies
Candidates must hold a valid PA ESL Program Specialist certificate and a valid PA teaching certificate in Elementary K-6 or secondary English/Communications/Reading. Excellent organizational, communication, and teamwork skills are required, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Market context
Pennsylvania K-12 districts continue to need ESL teachers as multilingual student enrollment grows and schools work to support language development across grade levels. These roles are competitive because applicants must already hold the required PA ESL Program Specialist certificate plus a matching PA Elementary K-6 and English 7-12 or Communications 7-12 certificate; experience in ESL or classroom teaching can strengthen your application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your certifications and tailor examples of language-support instruction before applying.