About this role
DIRECTOR OF LANGUAGE ACQUISITION SERVICES Santa Fe South Schools | Oklahoma City, OK Department: Student Services, Works in Conjunction with the Academic Team Reports To: Executive Director of Student Services/Works Closely with the Chief Academic Officer and other Executive Directors FLSA Status: Exempt/ 210 Contract Days About Santa Fe South Schools Santa Fe South Schools is a free, public charter school district serving students and families on the south side of Oklahoma City. For more than 20 years, Santa Fe South has worked to provide students with a challenging, student-centered education that prepares them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our work is grounded in high expectations for students and adults, strong instruction, meaningful relationships, and a belief that every student should leave Santa Fe South prepared to have a seat at any table they choose. Position Overview The Director of Language Acquisition Services provides strategic vision, leadership, and operational oversight for all language acquisition programs and services for Multilingual Learners (MLs) / English Learners (ELs). This role is dedicated to accelerating language proficiency, enhancing academic growth and achievement, and ensuring educational equity for all diverse learners. The Director works closely with district leaders and practitioners to design, implement, and refine high-quality instructional practices, data-driven systems, and compliant student services. Additionally, because the instructional leadership framework at Santa Fe South Schools is explicit and aligned across the system, the Director of Language Acquisition will be responsible for learning and operating within the instructional leadership systems. This candidate must be highly collaborative and focused on instructional outcomes to complement the academic priorities of the district with a specific focus on language acquisition for multilingual learners. This leader will work closely with the Academic Team while maintaining a distinct organizational role within Student Services. Key Responsibilities Instructional Leadership & Program Evaluation
• Instructional Practice & Equity: Evaluate the effectiveness of instructional practices that support English language learners and enhance equitable access to high-quality education across all grade levels and subject areas.
• Academic & Curriculum Leadership: Review and provide feedback on district curriculum, instructional practices, assessments, and academic systems to ensure they appropriately support multilingual learners.
• Curriculum Alignment: Collaborate with the Academic Team to align language acquisition priorities with district academic priorities and instructional expectations.
• Instructional Coaching: Work closely with cohorts of EL teachers to provide ongoing instructional coaching to build teacher capacity.
• Professional Development: Design and deliver high-impact professional learning for teachers, administrators, and support staff on evidence-based strategies for language learning and culturally responsive teaching in alignment with district instructional priorities.
• New Teacher Academy: Participate in and support New Teacher Academy, ensuring that language acquisition practices and supports for multilingual learners are integrated into new teacher development.
• Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): Collaborate with district leaders to support interventions and accommodations that promote student success as part of a multi-tiered system of support.
Engage Fully as a District Instructional Leader
• District Framework: Apply the SFS instructional leadership framework, systems, protocols, and expectations to the work of Language Acquisition Services.
• Development as Leader: Participate in applicable instructional leadership meetings, including Campus Leadership Development, Site Leader Meeting, and other instructional leadership meetings.
• High Expectations: Hold the line on district academic, instructional, and language acquisition priorities.
Data-Driven Decision Making & Progress Monitoring
• Data Partnership: Partner closely with the district Data Team to maintain a consistent districtwide approach to analyzing, monitoring, and responding to data for multilingual learners.
• Program Effectiveness: Use to identify trends, monitor student growth, and translate data into instructional and programmatic action alongside district and site instructional leaders.
• Strategic Planning: Use data to forecast and plan for additional language acquisition programs and structures to ensure every student, including newcomers, has access to high quality programming across the district.
• Language Acquisition Growth & Achievement Tracking: Work with site leaders, directors and the Academic Team to progress monitor growth and achievement data for multilingual learners, identifying trends, closing achievement gaps, and informing targeted instructional adjustments.
• Assessment Oversight: Oversee the administration and analysis of the WiDA, ensuring accurate student identification, placement, and reclassification.
Compliance, Governance & Operations
• Legal Compliance: Oversee compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local laws governing student services, including Title III funding requirements, Civil Rights obligations, and state educational agency mandates.
• Policy & Reporting: Maintain accurate records, prepare local and state reporting, and establish operational policies that safeguard the rights of multilingual students and their families.
• Resource & Budget Management: Manage program budgets, grant allocations, and instructional resources to optimize service delivery.
Stakeholder Engagement
• Family & Community Outreach: Promote strong school-family partnerships by providing accessible communications, ensure translation/interpretation services, and work alongside the Santa Fe South team to build opportunities for family engagement.
• Seal of Biliteracy: Continue to champion the Seal of Biliteracy for our students and promote students' academic success when this honor is achieved.
• Build a Culture of Belonging: Advocate for the academic success, belonging, and well-being of multilingual learners by ensuring that their linguistic and cultural backgrounds are understood, respected, and reflected in instructional and support practices. Build staff capacity to engage students and families in ways that honor their experiences and strengthen access to meaningful learning opportunities.
Qualifications & Experience
• Education: Master's degree in Education, TESOL, Bilingual Education, Educational Leadership, or a closely related field preferred. Bachelor's degree in Education or other related field is required.
• Certification: Valid OK Teacher Certification required. State Administrative / Supervisory License and/or EL/Bilingual Education endorsement preferred.
• Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years of successful classroom teaching experience with English learners.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of administrative or supervisory experience leading language programs at the district or organizational level.
• Demonstrated track record of improving academic outcomes for multilingual students using data-driven methodologies.
Core Competencies
• Deep knowledge of second language acquisition theories, instructional pedagogy, and accommodations within an MTSS framework.
• Expertise in WIDA standards, assessments, and program administration (e.g., WIDA ACCESS, MODEL, Screener).
• Expertise in educational technology, data analytics tools, and student information systems.
• Strong collaborative, communication, and interpersonal skills for working with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in federal and state compliance laws regarding multilingual education.