Summary
Description
FTE: 1.0 FTE
Job Summary: K – 5 Elementary Immersion Teachers at Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) deliver our Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum to students in Mandarin. They utilize best immersion teaching practices to help ensure that our students develop both a deep understanding of content and their communication ability in a second language. LILA teachers look at each student in a balanced holistic view. They equally value academic, social, and emotional growth within each of our students. They utilize Response Classroom practices to help students develop the needed social skills that will allow them to function in our society as a productive member. LILA teachers also understand that each child is an individual, and they work tirelessly to meet those needs. They also collaborate continuously with their colleagues to share ideas, plan lessons, and form relationships. Because of LILA’s collaborative culture, teachers typically form close relationships with their colleagues.
Essential Functions:
- Conduct classroom instruction of all subjects in the target language
- Develop curriculum materials using engaging and age-appropriate instructional strategies
- Infuse international-mindedness into the curriculum on a continual basis
- Incorporate hands-on learning activities into daily instruction
- Communicate closely and encourage parental involvement regarding program goals, classroom activities, homework, school functions and student progress
- Create a safe and welcoming classroom environment
- Collaborate with grade-level teachers, program specialists, teacher mentor, coordinator, director and other staff regarding their teaching
- Maintain knowledge of current and emerging trends, procedures and evaluation processes in language education
- Participate in regular planning and staff development activities
- Participate in professional development for language immersion, Responsive Classroom, and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in education or related field.
- Must have a valid Minnesota teaching license or the ability to obtain a license in the assignment area and grade level prior to the start of the school year.
- Must be fluent in English and Mandarin, both oral and written communications.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience teaching/living abroad.
- Teaching experience at the age level of the open position.
- Teaching experience in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years.
- Experience with Responsive Classroom.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires vocal communication, hearing, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, use of hands to grasp and feel, and vision abilities including close, distance, and adjusting focus. Lifting/moving required frequently up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 40 pounds or more. Work occasionally requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and is generally in a moderately noisy location. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About Lakes International Language Academy
Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) is a PreK-12 public charter school educating over 1200 students. The school opened in 2004, added grades 7 – 12 in 2015 and 2016. The school is located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, with authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme. We offer Spanish and Mandarin language immersion in PreK – 5 and an immersion continuation program in grades 6 – 12, as well as entry points for non-immersion students in a language-rich environment. Teachers are highly involved in developing curriculum and writing materials, as well as decision making at the school. In fact, the school’s board of directors has a teacher majority. We enjoy high teacher retention, and frequently have a waiting list of students who want to enter our program.
Our Mission
LILA prepares tomorrow’s critical thinkers and global citizens through language immersion and inquiry-driven study.
Our Action Statements
- Think For Myself
- Think About Others
- Think Beyond Today
Achievements & Awards:
- Earned respectable ratings on the MDE’s School Report Card each year of operation, including becoming a Celebration School in December 2015.
- Recognized for our fiscal responsibility from the MDE, receiving the state Finance Award for the past ten years in a row.
- Received multiple grants since inception, totaling nearly 1.5 million dollars.
Diversity: Many of our teachers were born in Mandarin and Spanish speaking countries. Nearly all have traveled extensively, with the large majority having lived in a Mandarin or Spanish speaking country for at least a semester.
Professional Development: Lakes International provides professional development for new staff depending on needs and interest, but always including best practices of teachers in the International Baccalaureate programs and building a safe and inviting classroom climate for learning.
Career Track and Advancement: Many leadership positions are available to Lakes International teachers, depending on their interests, efforts, and expertise.
Travel: Teachers are provided opportunities to participate in training provided in the Twin Cities, across the U.S., and sometimes internationally in the areas of Language Immersion, International Baccalaureate, and Responsive Classroom or Developmental Designs. Occasional travel is required.
Grants to Teachers: The LILA Foundation frequently offers “Inquiry 360” grants to teachers to pursue enriching experiences that they can bring back to share in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to pursue these experiences abroad. Inquiry 360 grants are competitive and are awarded in April for use the following summer.
Social Functions: We usually start the school year with an all staff gathering in August, and have a January staff party with guests as well. Each Friday, various staff members offer well-attended gatherings around sports or exercise, including volleyball, football (soccer), kettlebells, or Zumba. Other social activities abound.
Our staff works hard, and has a lot of fun in the process!
