Somali School Success Liaison 221 views

Lakeville Area Public Schools is looking for a Somali School Success Liaison

About:

Lakeville Area Schools is the twelfth largest school district in Minnesota serving approximately 11,000 students in Lakeville, parts of Burnsville and Elko New Market, and portions of Eureka, Credit River and New Market Townships. There are eight elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools, an Area Learning Center, an online K-12 school, Early Childhood programming, and lifelong learning opportunities through Community Education. Our vision is to inspire a passion for learning in every student. Our mission is to strive to ensure success for every student personally, socially, academically and civically.

Location: Minnesota, USA

Job Type: Part Time

Position Summary:

The School Success Liaison position in the Lakeville Area Public Schools provides direct service and support to students, their families, and school staff, with a focus on eliminating achievement disparities and fostering racially and culturally integrated learning environments that promote an advanced education culture. This position would specifically focus on increasing communication and engagement with the Somali community. This is a part-time position that does not include benefits. The position will be 110 days a year and 8 hours a day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate activities that support/strengthen students’ cultural identity using culturally-relevant materials and curriculum when appropriate
• Monitor students’ academic progress
• Maintain and improve student attendance
• Increase the number of secondary students who participate and successfully complete rigorous courses and programs
• Increase the number of secondary students who participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities and are preparing for college prior to graduation
• Provide dropout prevention support
• Monitor and increase graduation rate
• Provide feedback for systems improvement
• Maintain and improve family school engagement
• Participate with families at school conferences and IEP meetings with parents when needed
• Act as a communications liaison from parents to school or school to parents including making phone calls and home visits
• Coordinate community cultural events and community building activities
• Professional Development: Provide professional development on African-American and other cultures, cultural differences, cultural competency and equity pedagogy. This will include presentation to large and small groups. Help teachers and staff understand and utilize intercultural competency; understand how diversity, ethnicity, race and nationality impact education.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Associates Degree or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Must be able to communicate effectively with the Somali community
• Excellent communication skills with culturally diverse families
• Desire to provide assistance and advocacy to culturally diverse learners and their families to promote school success
• Desire to be a part of system change efforts to create more culturally sensitive schools and community services
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with students, families, and school personnel
• Ability to keep information about students and families confidential
• Experience and skill in using computers
• Dependable transportation is required
• Ability to work flexible hours with some evenings
• Willing to learn the specifics of Lakeville Area Schools educational philosophy and goals for students
• Demonstrated prompt, regular and reliable attendance

Interested candidates please apply.