ESL Guide/Coordinator Position Available In St. Louis, Missouri

ESL Guide/Coordinator City Garden Montessori St. Louis, MO Job Details Full-time $45,000 – $75,744 a year 1 day ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Qualifications Bilingual French School experience Spanish Multilingual Curriculum development Arabic Teaching Certification English Mid-level Data entry Montessori Teaching Just-in-Time Full Job Description ESL Guide/Coordinator

ABOUT CITY GARDEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL

(CGMS) CGMS exists to redefine education by developing the whole child in an excellent, inclusive, Montessori school; to reimagine community by creating spaces and systems that help to restore our collective humanity; and to reinvigorate our world by creating a culture in which individuals and communities thrive without disparities or barriers to success. CGMS was founded in 1995 as a Montessori preschool. In the mid-2000s, as a response to the educational inequity that exists in St. Louis, preschool parents worked with the founders to open a charter public elementary school. CGMS’ public charter school opened in the basement of a church in 2008 with 53 students, grades K-3. The school added a grade level each year until the school reached eighth grade and served 275 students, moving into the building at 1618 Tower Grove Avenue in 2012. In 2021, CGMS expanded its preschool and kindergarten program and in 2022, CGMS opened its new Elementary and Adolescent Center (EAEC), housing lower elementary (1st-3rd grade), upper elementary (4th-6th grade) and junior high (7th-8th grade) students. CGMS now serves 622 students in preschool through eighth grade across two buildings. CGMS will continue to grow over the next three years until the school reaches 700 students. CGMS has consistently been one of the highest-performing charter public schools in Missouri and has been recognized both locally and nationally for its excellent program, staff and community.

MISSION & CORE VALUES

We achieve our mission by combining the Montessori Theory of Development, rigorous state standards and an Anti-Bias, Antiracism (ABAR) framework in an intentionally diverse school setting. You can read CGMS’ strategic framework here.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Curriculum & Instruction in close collaboration with the Principals, the ESL Guide / Coordinator leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of City Garden’s Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) to ensure equitable, inclusive, and legally compliant educational access for English Learners (ELs). This full-time role blends direct instruction, program coordination, family communication, compliance documentation, and professional learning facilitation across both the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and the Elementary and Adolescent Education Center (EAEC). The ESL Guide / Coordinator ensures that EL students are seen, known, and served through asset-based, Montessori-aligned practices that honor students’ linguistic and cultural identities. They are responsible for all aspects of the EL program and will be supported in curriculum and compliance by the Director of Curriculum & Instruction.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Instruction (40-50%) Provide daily small-group and individualized instruction using a pull-out and/or push-in model, guided by students’ English proficiency levels and instructional needs. Design lessons aligned with

WIDA ELD

Standards, emphasizing listening, speaking, reading, and writing in academic contexts. Scaffold language development within content areas, promoting both language acquisition and grade-level achievement. Demonstrate a child-centered constructivist approach through instruction and materials selection. Maintain clear documentation of student progress, instructional logs, and engagement data. Progress Monitoring & Assessment (10-15%) Administer, score, and analyze WIDA Screener and ACCESS for ELLs assessments. Track student proficiency levels in each language domain and update EL records regularly. Maintain and share Individualized Language Plans (ILPs) for each EL student. Monitor reclassification eligibility and long-term EL progress. Program Coordination & Compliance (20-25%) Serve as City Garden’s lead contact for the EL program in DESE reporting, compliance reviews, and audits. Maintain up-to-date and accurate EL records in Infinite Campus, including EL entry/exit, service minutes, MonthsUSA, and student language indicators. Ensure implementation of parent communication protocols, including Home Language Survey, program eligibility notices, opt-out forms, and waivers. Draft and update the LIEP in coordination with school leaders; ensure alignment with Title III requirements. Coordinate the EL master caseload schedule to optimize instructional time across campuses. Professional Learning & Capacity Building (10-15%) Facilitate or co-facilitate EL-focused professional development, including summer preservice sessions and ongoing PD throughout the year. Provide just-in-time coaching and consultation to Guides regarding EL supports, accommodations, and sheltered instruction strategies. Model lessons and support co-planning to embed language development into the Montessori and core curriculum. Family & Community Engagement (5-10%) Communicate clearly and respectfully with EL families in their home languages whenever possible, using interpreter services or translation tools. Host or support family engagement sessions focused on EL supports, assessment updates, and rights. Advocate for inclusive practices that honor the multilingual and multicultural experiences of City Garden’s students and families.

QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS

Required:

Valid Missouri teaching certification with ESL/ELL Endorsement Strong knowledge of WIDA Standards, ACCESS for ELLs, and Missouri state EL policies

Preferred:

Experience with EL program coordination and compliance reporting Familiarity with Montessori pedagogy and constructivist learning environments Experience using Infinite Campus SIS for EL data entry and reporting Bilingual or multilingual proficiency a plus (Spanish, Arabic, French, etc.)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This position offers a starting salary range of $45,000 to $75,744 per year (dependent on years of experience and certifications) as well as robust benefits, including medical, dental, pension (vested after five years), school admission preference (discounted preschool and before/after care), and 21 days annually of Sick Time/Personal Time Off, in addition to federal holidays and school breaks. This is a full-time, in person role, with the expectation of 5 days a week on site and occasional after-school or summer hours for testing, professional development, or family engagement. Travel between ECEC and EAEC sites will be required. City Garden Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, City Garden Montessori School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. City Garden Montessori School also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws. O4LLygYWPh