MIDDLE SCHOOL ELL SPECIALIST - English Language Learning Specialist (ELL)
1-Year Leave Replacement 2025-2026
Union Position - Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreement
ABOUT UNIS
Learning at UNIS is guided by the UNIS Mission and Guiding Principles, and is defined in the UNIS Teaching and Learning Policy. All academic job descriptions at UNIS are interpreted in the context of these standards.
Under the auspices of the United Nations and guided by its ideals, the United Nations International School (UNIS) provides an inclusive and diverse learning environment in which rigorous international programs foster academic excellence, innovation, creativity, and cross-cultural communication to educate and inspire its students to become an active force in shaping a better world: peaceful, compassionate and sustainable.
ROLE SUMMARY
The United Nations International School (UNIS) is seeking individuals with extensive teaching experience to fill the role of ELL in the Middle School. This dedicated teacher will play a crucial role in empowering multilingual learners to achieve academic success. The successful candidate will provide targeted instruction, collaborate with faculty, engage with parents, and contribute to a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This position requires an educator with a deep understanding of language acquisition and a commitment to fostering student growth. The candidate should have the expertise and/or understanding of a wide range of ELL strategies in reading, writing, and speaking English, they should also have a strong background in learning profiles and language acquisition in order to provide direct support to children and teachers. The ELL teacher should be open and reflective, team oriented, passionate, and interested in supporting UNIS students learning across the age spectrum in Middle School.
This role reports to the Middle School Principal
RESPONSIBILITIES
Working with Students
- Provide individualized and small-group instruction: Deliver engaging and effective language support within and outside the classroom, tailored to the specific needs of multilingual learners.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments: Utilize a variety of assessment tools to accurately gauge students' language proficiency and academic progress, informing instructional decisions and documenting growth.
- Adapt and differentiate instruction: Modify instructional approaches based on student assessment data, ensuring that all students are challenged and supported in their language development.
Working with Faculty
- Serve as a pedagogical resource: Provide expert guidance to faculty on best practices for supporting multilingual learners, promoting inclusive teaching strategies.
- Collaborate on curriculum development: Co-plan and develop effective small-group interventions and differentiated lesson plans that integrate language acquisition strategies.
- Facilitate ongoing communication: Conduct regular check-ins with teachers to monitor student progress, review accommodations, and provide feedback on instructional effectiveness.
- Analyze and interpret assessment data: Review language assessment data to inform instructional strategies and support teachers in understanding student needs.
Working with Parents
- Build strong parent partnerships: Communicate effectively with parents to foster a collaborative approach to student learning and language development.
- Provide clear and accessible information: Explain school recommendations and support services to parents, ensuring they understand how to best support their child's language acquisition.
- Active Participation in School Community
- Contribute to collaborative meetings: Participate actively in team meetings and faculty meetings, sharing insights and contributing to school-wide initiatives.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation: Document student progress, assessment results, and communication with parents and faculty.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to adapt communication to diverse audiences.
- Proactive, collaborative, and positive team player.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
- A curious, reflective, and growth-oriented mindset.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education required, Master’s Degree preferred
- Degree/Certification/Experience in teaching language acquisition required
- Proven experience working with multilingual learners in a K-12 educational setting
- Strong understanding of language acquisition theories and best practices
- Experience with best practices in assessment and reporting best practices preferred (e.g. Standard-Based Grading and Reporting)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time while instructing or demonstrating teaching techniques.
- Capability to move around the classroom to provide individual support to students.
- Comfort with lifting and handling art materials, supplies and student projects, occasionally requiring up to 15 lbs. of weight.
- Dexterity and fine motor skills required for demonstrating teaching techniques and using tools and materials in the classroom.
COMPENSATION
Compensation is between $67,745 to $111,974 commensurate with years of experience as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (salary is prorated for part-time or temporary positions).
APPLICATION
All candidates must submit an electronic application via the school website: https://www.unis.org/about-unis/employment. Supporting documentation, such as a cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation, must be uploaded to the electronic application. Review of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job posting describes you, then please apply for this role.
The United Nations International School provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, height, weight, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, alienage or citizenship status, marital status or domestic partner status, genetic information, genetic predisposition or carrier status, gender identity, HIV status, military status and any other category protected by law in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, lay-off and termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
