Oral and Written Language (Lab) Teacher

Oral and Written Language (Lab) Teacher

2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR ONLY

Job Title:Oral and Written Language (OWL) Lab Teacher Status:Exempt

Reports to:Principal Pay Grade:Teacher Pay Scale

Dept./School:Campus Days:187

Primary Purpose:

The OWL Lab Teacher will serve as the lead teacher for the ECISD Oral and Written Language Lab a collaborative replication of Rice Universitys School Literacy and Culture OWL Lab model. This role is dedicated to fostering oral language and literacy development in early learners particularly emergent bilingual students through rich language experiences high-quality childrens literature dramatic play and interactive storytelling.

In Year 1 the OWL Lab Teacher will focus on providing small group and individualized oral language intervention services while participating in a rigorous two-year professional development and mentoring process in partnership with Rice University. Following this period the teacher will transition into full classroom implementation of the OWL Lab model with opportunities to earn certification as a Rice OWL Lab.

Qualifications:

1. Self-motivated organized reliable adaptable.
2. Excellent communication skills.
3. Must be able to work independently as well as on a team.

Education/ Certification:

• Bachelors degree from accredited university
• Valid Texas teaching certificate with EC-4 or EC-6 certification required
• ESL or Bilingual certification REQUIRED
• Completion of SLCs Classroom Storytelling Seminar (required for lab replication)

Special Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong understanding of early childhood development and best practices in oral language instruction
• Deep commitment to language-rich play-based learning environments
• Ability to model a joyful responsive and student-centered teaching style
• Skilled in welcoming and hosting observers for instructional modeling
• Demonstrates a collaborative mindset and receptiveness to mentor and peer feedback
• Comfortable with reflection practices including journaling video review and coaching cycles
• Familiarity with second language acquisition theory and culturally responsive teaching
• Ability to facilitate and model rich conversations with and among young children
• Commitment to family engagement and classroom inclusion

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of early childhood classroom teaching experience
• Experience working with emergent bilingual learners REQUIRED
• Leadership experience in modeling lessons or facilitating teacher collaboration is a plus

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Year 1 Focus: Intervention & Learning

• Provide small group and individualized intervention services focused on oral language development
• Participate in all required Rice SLC professional learning sessions seminars and mentor feedback cycles
• Begin integrating OWL Lab strategies into intervention settings

Instructional Leadership (Post-Training)

• Design and facilitate daily language-rich learning experiences that include storytelling dramatic play and oral and written expression
• Collaborate with Rice SLC mentors and district leaders to implement OWL Lab curriculum and research-based practices
• Provide model lessons and co-teach sessions for visiting teachers during lab classroom observations
• Support the integration of oral language strategies across the early childhood program

Program Implementation and Fidelity

• Maintain a learning environment that reflects the four OWL Lab pillars:
  • Quality Childrens Literature
  • Mature Dramatic Play
  • Childrens Interests
  • Equity and Family Engagement
• Work with campus administration to ensure the OWL Lab is staffed with a second adult 35 days per week to facilitate play and conversation
• Ensure daily or weekly student visits align with recommended implementation guidelines
• Support family engagement through structured events and ongoing communication

Professional Development and Mentoring

• Attend monthly Rice SLC seminars and professional learning sessions as part of the lab replication certification process
• Engage in regular mentor visits feedback cycles and professional learning communities (PLCs)
• Reflect on classroom practices through journaling video reflection and collaboration with other lab teachers

Other

• Participate in ongoing assessment and documentation of student progress
• Minimize additional duties to protect planning and preparation time for lab activities
• Remain committed to a minimum three-year term in the lab classroom when possible

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/ Environmental Factors:

• Environment: Classroom setting; requires interaction with small groups and full classes of students as well as visiting educators
• Physical Demands: Regular walking standing bending and lifting to support dramatic play and active engagement with children
• Mental Demands: High degree of creativity flexibility collaboration and initiative required
• Primary Location:Assigned Campus
• Shift Type: Full-Time