Director Of Multi-Language Learner And Newcomer Scholar Services

ABOUT ASPIRE

Aspire Public Schools operates a network of high-performing, college preparatory charter schools serving TK-12 scholars in communities across California. Founded in 1998-in an effort to transform the inequitable racial, social, and gender outcomes that our communities persist through-Aspire is one of the largest and most forward-thinking open-enrollment public charter school systems in the nation.

Our purpose is to prepare our scholars for success in college, career, and life. At Aspire, we set a foundation for our scholars to gain knowledge, skills, and power to access and make choices for their families and post-secondary lives. Every day, our community of students, families, teachers, and staff comes together to learn, work, and grow in an environment grounded in our values of Bienestar (Well-Being), Culture of Belonging, Community Partnership, Agency & Self-Determination, and Joy.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Multi-Language Learner and Newcomer Scholar Services leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Aspire Los Angeles' supports for multi-language learners (MLLs) and newcomer scholars. Grounded in equity and belonging, this role ensures that MLLs and newcomer students and their families receive culturally responsive academic, wellness, and wraparound services. The Director partners closely with families, schools, and regional teams to co-design programming that affirms student identity and agency, supports rigorous academic growth, and expands access to opportunity. The Manager also supervises the Newcomer and Attendance Support Specialist, supporting their development, collaboration across sites, and use of data to drive equitable outcomes.

Aligned with Aspire's 4As-Antiracism, Academics, Agency, and Activism-this role champions inclusive practices, amplifies newcomer voices in decision-making spaces, and strengthens our collective commitment to building schools where every student thrives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OVERVIEW & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS &

• Design and lead region-wide newcomer scholar programming, including academic supports, SEL integration, and transition planning
• Develop and implement a Newcomer Toolkit outlining a clear, replicable approach for school-based academic, social-emotional, and family support

Support the establishment of newcomer-specific support groups and multilingual family groups at every site, ensuring inclusion in ELAC/DELAC and other decision-making spaces

• Lead identification and onboarding processes for newcomer scholars, ensuring timely access to services and transparent communication with families
• Partner with school leaders to embed integrated ELD strategies into daily instruction across content areas, especially in secondary grades
• Design and deliver professional development aligned to integrated ELD practices, including through external partnerships (e.g., WestEd, Ensemble Learning)
• Collaborate with families and communities to ensure regional programming honors the cultural context, lived experiences, and aspirations of newcomer and MLL communities
• Monitor academic, attendance, and ELPAC data to track outcomes and respond proactively with supports
• Serve as a resource to regional and site leaders, supporting strategic alignment with Aspire's equity commitments and student learning framework

Vision and Program Design

• Lead the design and evolution of Aspire LA's regional strategy for Multi-Language Learner (MLL) and newcomer scholar support
• Develop and maintain the Newcomer Toolkit to guide academic, social-emotional, and family supports across all schools
• Partner with site leaders to support the establishment of newcomer-specific support groups and multilingual family groups
• Collaborate with families and stakeholders to ensure newcomer and MLL perspectives shape programming and decision-making
• Regularly communicate program updates to key stakeholders; facilitate monthly meetings to share changes, updates, and key initiatives

Instructional Leadership & Professional Development

• Design and lead professional development aligned to Designated and Integrated ELD practices across TK-12, with a focus on secondary access
• Partner with external organizations (e.g., WestEd, Ensemble Learning) to support system-wide shifts in ELD instruction
• Coach and support school leaders and educators in implementing culturally and linguistically responsive instruction
• Participate in inquiry walks, instructional rounds, and classroom observations to provide feedback on ELD implementation
• Provide strategic support to new principals, deans, and instructional leaders on ELD planning, assessments, and practices
• Ensure regional learning is aligned to Aspire's Student Learning Framework (ASLF) and Transformational Leadership Framework (TLF)

Family & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with schools and regional team members to co-lead family workshops, resource navigation events, and newcomer-specific outreach
• Ensure increased and representative newcomer participation in English Learner Advisory Committees (ELAC/DELAC)
• Design family-centered engagement strategies that affirm cultural identity and foster trust

Assessment & Data Leadership

• Lead regional ELD assessment cycles (e.g., ELPAC), including timelines, scheduling guidance, norming sessions, and analysis
• Analyze student performance and reclassification trends to develop regional goals and interventions
• Monitor school-level data on language proficiency, attendance, and chronic absenteeism to inform programming

Compliance & Accountability

• Support school sites in meeting all MLL compliance requirements, including LCAP goals, ELPAC testing, RFEP processes, and ELAC/DELAC documentation

• Provide guidance and feedback on site-level LCAPs and SPSAs to ensure alignment with MLL and newcomer needs

• Collaborate with key regional team leaders to prepare regional reports, charter renewals, and compliance documentation

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a strategic partner to the Superintendent, regional team, and site leaders on all matters related to newcomer and MLL supports
• Work cross-functionally with regional departments, including academics, special education, and student services to align supports
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Supervise the Newcomer and Attendance Support Specialist, providing coaching, performance management, and strategic guidance aligned to regional newcomer and MLL priorities.
• Lead a Community of Practice (COP) for the Specialist and any future team members supporting MLL and newcomer students, grounded in Aspire's 4As and data-driven cycles of inquiry.
• Facilitate cross-site collaboration between the Specialist, school leaders, and regional teams to ensure consistent implementation and shared learning.
• Support the Specialist in analyzing attendance, language proficiency, and academic performance data to drive targeted interventions and measure program impact.

KEY OUTCOMES

Academic Growth

• Steady, measurable improvement in ELA and Math performance for Aspire LA MLLs
• Increased English language proficiency, as measured by ELPAC, RFEP reclassification rates, and progress on the English Learner Progress Indicator (ELPI) on the California School Dashboard

Belonging & Access

• Supporting the establishment of newcomer-specific support groups at each school to address academic, social-emotional, and cultural transition needs
• Increased family participation in ELAC/DELAC, with explicit inclusion of newcomer voices and representation
• Launch of multilingual family engagement structures that foster trust, access to resources, and authentic partnership

Attendance

• Decreased chronic absenteeism year-over-year for newcomer and MLL scholars through targeted outreach and wraparound supports

Instructional Shifts

• Region-wide implementation of integrated ELD practices across content areas
• Staff across all schools engage in sustained professional development on supporting MLLs and newcomer students

Systemic Alignment

• Newcomer Toolkit and support protocols codified and in use across all Aspire LA sites
• Strong alignment of site-based services with regional vision, compliance requirements, and equity commitments

QUALIFICATIONS

• Deep knowledge of California ELD standards and fluency with Common Core ELA standards
• Instructional leadership and classroom teaching experience with demonstrated student growth
• Strong experience in leading professional development and adult learning across diverse teams
• Ability to design culturally and linguistically responsive programming that reflects community needs
• Demonstrated success building relationships and trust with students, families, and educators
• Track record of using data to drive continuous improvement and adapt interventions
• Strong strategic planning, time management, and project execution skills
• Ability to manage complexity and navigate change in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong alignment with Aspire's mission, vision, and values-particularly in advancing Antiracism, Academics, Agency, and Activism
• Bilingualism (especially in Spanish) strongly preferred

Competencies:

• Strong program management skills.
• Track record of establishing effective relationships with school sites.
• Excellent organization, time management and follow-up skills; high sense of urgency; demonstrated ability to successfully handle multiple projects concurrently; ability to work independently and within a team environment.
• Fluency in multiple languages
• Ability to research complex problems and develop solutions that are evolving given the current context.
• Communication skills in multiple languages preferred
• Skilled at understanding the LCAP and other state guidelines intended to serve multi language learners
• Instructional background and und experience in supporting MLLs at multiple levels of English Proficiency

Minimum educational level:

• Bachelor's degree with relevant degree and/or content expertise
• Master's degree preferred

Licensures/Certifications/Credential:

• California Teaching Credential preferred

Experience required:

• 5-7 years of experience in an educational setting, including supervising or teaching designated/integrated ELD
• Experience working as an educator or on site at a TK-12 school environment for 3 or more years
• Familiarity with LCAP, ELPAC, CA ELA/ELD framework
• Experience working in dynamic, high-performing work environment

Work authorization requirements:

• Clear the Department of Justice background screening
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Provide health (TB) clearance (must be renewed every four years)

Compensation:

Aspire Public Schools is dedicated to our teammate's well-being! In addition to a competitive base salary that is benchmarked against local districts and charter schools, we offer employees exceptional benefits, including paid time off, 100% core health benefits coverage on select plans, life insurance/long-term disability, participation in a CA state retirement plan, tuition reimbursement plan, and adoption assistance program. Our salary schedule based on years of experience for this position type is reflected here:

Click year to view our salary schedule based on years of experience in the like role.

EEO STATEMENT

Aspire Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.