What are the responsibilities and job description for the Middle School Learning Specialist (2026-2027) position at Excel Academy Charter Schools?
Organization Overview
Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latinx or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college.
Excel Academy is a network of 5 schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island that prepares students in grades 5-12 to succeed in high school and college and engage productively in their communities. The majority of our 1,700 students identify as Latinx or Hispanic and will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Families choose Excel because our students consistently outperform their peers in growth and achievement and are 5x more likely to graduate from college.
At Excel, we believe that every student—regardless of race, zip code, or economic status—deserves access to a free, high quality holistic education. During their middle school journey with us, students grow at a pace faster than most peers in their state. This is possible through a combination of high expectations, rigorous instruction, and individualized support. At our nationally ranked high school, students achieve at the highest level and are poised for success in their chosen college or career path.
About our Team
Everyday, our team members choose to be positive, drive their own growth, uplift one another, and hold the highest possible beliefs for what students can achieve.
About the Role
Excel teachers are responsible for delivering effective, high-quality, rigorous college-preparatory instruction designed to foster the success of their students. Teachers who thrive at Excel tend to be entrepreneurial instructors and hungry learners who crave frequent, high-quality feedback on their practice. They also have a great deal of passion and expertise in their content area that they are eager to share with students.
Your Impact
- Teach daily instructional support lessons to students on caseload, utilizing time outside of core-academic classes;
- Serve as an inclusion teacher as needed to more effectively support the learning abilities of students with high needs;
- Work closely with general education teachers to differentiate curriculum, help create effective accommodations, and modify curriculum when appropriate; and
- Ensure that all work with students with special needs is aligned with the school’s academic goals for student achievement.
- Ensure that implementation of Special Education services is in compliance with federal and state special education regulations;
- Manage all paperwork (e.g. IEPs, 504s, Child Study Records of Accommodations, Teacher
- Input Questionnaires, IEP Progress Reports, subject-area checklists for MCAS, etc.) associated with Special Education cases, ensuring deadlines are met and information is accurately recorded; and
- Maintain regular communication with students’ parents/guardians and families.
Mission Alignment
- You share a commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
- You are committed to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
- You work effectively in a team environment and have a willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
- You are open to change, are willing to problem-solve, and seek feedback for your own professional growth and improvement.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred;
- Rhode Island certified (Middle Grades Special Education 5-8, Secondary Special Education 6-12) or in the process of obtaining certification. You can learn more here:
https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2023-06/RI_MiddleGrades_Requirements.pdf - A minimum of two years’ teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred, but not required.
Preference will be given to applicants who share points of intersection with our students, such as speaking Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, or a language commonly spoken by our students and families at an advanced level, being first generation college graduates, or having grown up low-income.