Learning Experience Designer, ELA Multilingual Learning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Assist in the creation of ELD scopes and sequences (initially for secondary grades), which includes the selection and evaluation of grade-appropriate texts that align with language and content objectives across listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

• Write, design, and structure prototype lessons, student-facing activities, and supplementary materials that exemplify rigorous, scaffolded instruction for multilingual learners, adhering to established instructional frameworks and product specifications.

• Develop clear formative and summative assessment items and rubrics that effectively measure language growth and content mastery in accordance with state-specific ELD standards and learning outcomes.

• Create embedded scaffolds and differentiation strategies, such as graphic organizers, sentence frames, leveled vocabulary, and translanguaging supports, to ensure complex, high-interest content is accessible to students across various English proficiency levels.

• Assist in the design and iterative enhancement of AI prompts that support key phases of lesson design and production, translating instructional blueprints into specifications that facilitate the consistent production of high-quality D-ELD content at scale.

• Review lessons by providing targeted editorial and pedagogical feedback based on Newsela guidelines and ELD best practices to guarantee accuracy, fidelity to the curriculum model, and student engagement.

• Aid the manager in developing and maintaining rubrics, quality checklists, and naming conventions that guide contributors and AI tools, ensuring repeatability and consistency across grade levels and units.

• Stay informed about and serve as an internal expert on state and national English Language Development standards and frameworks (e.g., California ELD Standards / ELPAC, WIDA, ELPS), ensuring all content adheres to the appropriate standards across grade levels.

• Implement the latest evidence-based principles of second language acquisition, biliteracy, and the Science of Reading for multilingual learners in the design of every lesson, activity, and assessment.

• Ensure materials maintain the objective of grade-level access, combining high expectations with appropriate language scaffolds rather than compromising on rigor.

• Collaborate closely with the core ELA team to integrate ELD supports into standards-aligned ELA content (prototypes, AI prompts, and pilot-unit review), applying your MLL perspective to ELA lessons, texts, and assessments to ensure they are effective for multilingual learners, and work alongside product and technology teams on content digitization and platform experience.

• Serve as a grade-level lead and subject-matter contact for external contributors, addressing questions and resolving content and alignment issues across various workstreams.

• Prioritize and adjust tasks in alignment with business needs, delivering work punctually and to Newsela's quality standards, while proactively communicating progress and challenges.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Linguistics, TESOL, Curriculum & Instruction, English, or a related field.

• A specialized degree, endorsement, or certification related to multilingual learner education, ELD, TESOL/ESL, or language acquisition.

• 3+ years of experience in K–12 curriculum development, instructional design, or content creation with a strong emphasis on multilingual learners, ideally within an educational technology or publishing company (school- or district-based content development experience is also valued).

• Solid understanding of multilingual learner pedagogy, second language acquisition, and ELD standards and frameworks (e.g., California ELD/ELPAC, WIDA, or ELPS), across the four language domains. Familiarity with ELA pedagogy across K–12, including reading development, foundational literacy (e.g., phonics), and assessment best practices, especially as they relate to the Science of Reading for multilingual learners.

• Experience in developing, adapting, or scaffolding English Language Arts content—such as standards-aligned lessons, texts, or reading and writing assessments—with a proven ability to apply MLL expertise within an ELA context.

• Exceptional English writing and editing skills, with a demonstrated ability to produce polished, standards-aligned instructional content and to provide clear, constructive feedback to other writers.

• Proficiency and comfort with AI tools, along with an interest in leveraging them to expedite high-quality content development without compromising pedagogical integrity.

• Strong organizational and verbal communication skills, capable of managing multiple workstreams and prioritizing effectively in response to business needs.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive medical benefits with employer contributions to premiums and HSA accounts.

• Additional perks such as gym reimbursement, pet insurance, free access to the Calm app, Rocket Lawyer, and more to support your overall well-being: mind, body, and soul.

• We are a fully remote company, providing a monthly tech stipend to assist with your work-from-home requirements!

• Inclusive benefits designed to support you and your family, including parental leave, fertility support, adoption assistance, and more!

• Invest in your future with our 401(k) plan, which includes an employer match to help you establish long-term financial security.

• Flexible PTO, paid sick leave, company holidays, plus a winter break (Dec 24th - Jan 1st).

• Newsela offers an annual learning and development allowance for employees to participate in external training sessions, classes, workshops, conferences, and acquire educational materials that promote professional growth in their current role and career aspirations at Newsela.

• Regardless of your role or department, the work you do each day contributes to shaping the future of education and enhances the lives of students and teachers.