At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential and it is our responsibility and our privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community. We are a collective of parents, teachers, leaders, and students working together to transform the future for underserved communities across our country. At Rocketship Public Schools, we are unleashing potential.
Position Description
The Coaching and Curriculum team is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Associate Director of Multilingual Learners (MLL) Programs to support high-quality, rigorous, and equitable language development and literacy instruction for multilingual learners across Rocketship Tennessee schools.
This role partners closely with Tennessee regional and school leaders to strengthen instructional practice, ensure effective implementation of multilingual learner programs, and improve outcomes for emergent bilingual students. The Associate Director of Multilingual Learners provides direct instructional leadership and coaching support to 3–5 Tennessee schools, ensuring alignment between language development, literacy instruction, and Rocketship’s Core Model. The role works closely with regional leadership and school-based instructional teams and reports to the Senior Director of Schools.
Below are the essential functions:
Coaching & Leader Development
Build instructional capacity among Tennessee school leaders and instructional leaders to effectively serve multilingual learners.
Provide direct coaching to school leaders and instructional leaders focused on language development, sheltered instruction, and culturally responsive practices
Observe classroom instruction and planning, delivering actionable feedback aligned to multilingual learner best practices and Rocketship’s instructional vision
Partner with leaders to strengthen their ability to coach teachers supporting emergent bilingual students
Program Implementation & Fidelity
Ensure strong implementation of Rocketship’s multilingual learner program and language development model across supported Tennessee schools.
Ensure strong implementation of Rocketship’s multilingual learner program, including oversight of Individualized Language Plans (ILPs), progress monitoring, and instructional fidelity across supported Tennessee schools.
Monitor and support compliance with state, district, and federal requirements, including ML identification, enrollment, documentation, and reporting timelines.
Lead regional coordination and compliance for ELPA21 assessment planning, administration, and monitoring in alignment with district and TDOE expectations.
Partner with school leaders, district teams, and SIS partners to ensure accurate placement, data integrity, and high-quality multilingual services.
Develop and curate pacing guidance, tools, exemplars, and professional learning resources to strengthen multilingual instruction and implementation.
Progress Monitoring & Instructional Effectiveness
Monitor the effectiveness of multilingual learner program implementation and student language development outcomes.
Drive on data driven action planning and use of language proficiency assessments, literacy data, and classroom observation tools
Analyze priority data to identify trends in language acquisition, instructional effectiveness, and program implementation
Share clear insights and recommendations with Tennessee regional leaders to inform coaching, planning, and targeted support
Regional Collaboration, Vision & Goal-Setting
Partner with Tennessee regional leadership to align on vision, priorities, and goals for multilingual learner programming.
Collaborate with regional leaders to define and refine the Tennessee multilingual learner instructional vision and success metrics
Support schools in setting goals for language development and monitoring progress toward shared outcomes
Partner with regional teams and the broader Academics team to ensure alignment between multilingual learner programming, literacy instruction, and Rocketship’s Core Model
Professional Development & Regional Learning
Design and facilitate professional learning experiences focused on high-quality instruction for multilingual learners.
Design and lead engaging professional development for Tennessee teachers, school leaders, and instructional staff on language development and instructional best practices
Identify regional professional learning priorities using qualitative and quantitative data
Support and lead on summer professional development and start-of-year learning experiences for Tennessee schools in addition to yearlong development opportunities at both a regional and school level
Core Characteristics
Successful candidates will demonstrate Rocketship’s core characteristics in their leadership and instructional practice:
Pursuit of Excellence – Continuously improves outcomes through data, feedback, and reflective practice
Authenticity – Leads with transparency, humility, and alignment to Rocketship’s values
Community – Builds strong relationships and values collective impact across schools and teams
Tenacity – Relentlessly pursues instructional goals in service of student success
Innovation – Challenges the status quo and takes responsible risks to improve instruction
Qualifications
Experience
3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in multilingual learner programming, curriculum development, instructional leadership, or school administration
At least 3 years of K–5 lead teaching experience, preferably including multilingual learners, with evidence of strong student outcomes
At least 1 year of experience coaching and leading adults in a school or instructional leadership role
Experience implementing and coaching on high-quality language development or literacy programs for multilingual learners preferred
Skills
Strong instructional coaching and adult learning facilitation skills
Deep understanding of language acquisition, culturally responsive instruction, and inclusive instructional practices
Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive instructional decisions
Strong communication skills
Excellent organizational and project management skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Ability to influence without direct authority
Proficiency with Google Workspace
Education
Bachelor’s degree required
Master’s degree preferred (Education, TESOL, Bilingual Education, or a related field)
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally climb ladders. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.
Compensation:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent health and wellness benefits, 403b retirement plan, flexible spending account (FSA), and generous paid time off.
Rocketship Public Schools provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Rocketship Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Public Schools’ employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. Click here for our
Sexual Harassment Policy. For questions, concerns, or complaints, please contact Human Resources.
