Middle School Special Education Teacher/Learning Specialist

Organization Overview

Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality, free, and public education to students in East Boston and Chelsea Massachusetts, communities that are predominantly low-income and Latinx and historically have faced significant social and educational barriers. Our success in Massachusetts is proof that the opportunity gap can be closed and we opened a new school in Rhode Island in 2022.  At Excel Academy Charter Schools, we believe that when a student has the support and tools to pursue a productive post-secondary pathway aligned to their personal identity and values, it can fundamentally change their life trajectory.  

At Excel Academy we learn from our students, families, and staff and make improvements. We have increasingly adapted to provide a holistic education that values our community as collaborators in the learning process, social-emotional support, equity for diverse learners, and fosters identity development. We prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. Our team of passionate, intelligent, driven, and loving staff are at the core of the work we do. 

Growth Happens Here.

About the Role 

Excel Academy teachers are responsible for delivering effective, high-quality, rigorous 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. They prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. 

Your Impact 

Instructional Responsibilities

• Serve as an English inclusion teacher for middle school students 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.

 Administrative Responsibilities

• 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. 

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred;
• Rhode Island certified (Moderate Disabilities 1-6) or in the process of obtaining certification. You can learn more here:
  • https://www.ride.ri.gov/TeachersAdministrators/EducatorCertification/RICertificationRequirementsandApplications.aspx

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. 

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.