International Teacher Integration Coach

International Teacher Integration Coach

FTE: 0.2 This is a 12-month, onsite position.

Salary Range: $8,900-$11,200

Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) is an award-winning language immersion public charter school in Forest Lake, Minnesota. LILA prepares tomorrow's critical thinkers and global citizens through language acquisition and inquiry-driven study. Convenient to both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, LILA is located close to the 35W-35E split in the North Metro.

Job Summary:

The International Teacher Integration Coach is responsible for providing direct, onsite support, coaching, and mentoring to international and new-to-country teachers during their first years at LILA. This role focuses on reducing transition barriers, strengthening instructional practice, building community connections, and increasing teacher retention.

The position centers on hands-on onboarding support, mentor coaching, affinity group facilitation, and individualized teacher check-ins. The Integration Coach works in collaboration with building leaders, instructional coaches, mentors, HR, and community partners to ensure international teachers feel professionally supported and personally integrated into the LILA and Forest Lake communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate and participate in affinity group activities to strengthen belonging, peer support, and community-building among international and TOCAIT staff.
• Conduct regular check-ins with new international teachers to assess readiness, stress levels, and classroom focus, and to provide real-time problem-solving and coaching.
• Support mentors and affinity group leads through modeling, co-facilitation, and reflective practice focused on effective induction strategies.
• Gather teacher feedback through brief surveys and conversations to inform continuous improvement of onboarding and support practices.

Direct Teacher Support & Coaching

• Serve as the primary on-site coach and point-of-contact for international teachers during onboarding and their first year, providing individualized, culturally responsive support, ongoing 1:1 coaching and check-ins for international and new-to-country teachers.
• Support teachers in navigating instructional expectations, school culture, family communication, and classroom systems.

Onboarding & Transition Support

• Lead and coordinate hands-on onboarding support for newly arrived international teachers.
• Assist Community Integration Mentors and community partners in helping teachers navigate U.S. systems related to housing, transportation, banking, healthcare, insurance, social security, and community resources.
• Develop and maintain onboarding materials and welcome resources tailored to new-to-country staff.
• Provide practical orientation to U.S. school systems and both general and LILA-specific workplace expectations of teachers from the perspective of students, families, colleagues, and administration.

Mentor & Affinity Group Facilitation

• Model and coach mentors in effective practices for supporting new-to-country teachers, including cultural transition, communication, and systems navigation.
• Facilitate affinity groups for international teachers to build community, reduce isolation, and promote belonging.
• Plan and lead structured sessions addressing topics such as cultural adjustment, family transition, professional identity, and navigating U.S. systems.
• Encourage cross-cultural exchange and integration within the broader LILA community.

Community & Partnership Coordination

• Identify and collaborate with receptive local partners (e.g., YMCA, housing rental agents, banks or credit unions, local used car sales groups; auto insurance agents, the Social Security office, visa partners) to help Community Integration Mentors fulfill the immediate needs of teachers and their families newly arriving in the United States.
• Serve as a liaison between international teachers and school leadership when needed.
• Promote wellness, connection, and access to community resources.

Data & Program Feedback

• Collect and review teacher feedback through surveys, informal check-ins, and structured reflections.
• Monitor transition progress and identify areas for additional support.
• Collaborate with leadership to continuously improve onboarding and integration systems.

Required Qualifications

• Experience in instructional coaching, mentoring, or teacher development.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and commitment to equity and belonging.
• Ability to organize systems and manage multiple support structures simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to work collaboratively with administrators, mentors, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Minnesota teaching license or eligibility.
• Experience as an international educator or working abroad.
• Experience participating in or hosting an international teacher induction program.
• Experience supporting visa-holding educators (J-1, H-1B, etc.).
• Knowledge of International Baccalaureate Programmes.
• Knowledge of Dual Language education best practices.
• Experience facilitating affinity groups or community-building initiatives.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities.

Physical Requirements

This role may occasionally involve exertion of up to 15 pounds of force. It requires regular speaking and hearing, frequent sitting, and occasional standing, walking, and repetitive motions. Standard vision requirements apply. The work environment includes classrooms, offices, and community settings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.