What are the responsibilities and job description for the Teaching Fellow 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.
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
The Excel Academy Teaching Fellowship is a year-long intensive teacher development program. The first half of the school-year, Fellows focus on developing their Classroom Culture Management practice, the second of the school-year, Fellows focus on developing their Instructional Practice.
As an Excel Academy Teaching Fellow, you will be coached and mentored by an experienced teacher who will support your professional growth over the course of the year. With your mentor, you will develop the skills and mindset to design rigorous and inclusive instruction and become a successful lead classroom teacher. Excel Teaching Fellows also participate in bi-weekly professional development sessions that include topics such as classroom culture and management, rigorous classroom instruction, and equity and inclusion. Fellows spend about 60 - 75% of their day providing classroom coverage so they can build real teaching skills from day one. At Excel, we believe the best way to become an effective teacher is by being in classrooms - observing differently styles, supporting students and practicing core instructional moves in a variety of settings. This hands-on immersion prepares Fellows to step confidently into lead teaching roles.
By the end of your Teaching Fellow year, you will have the option to apply for a lead teaching position at Excel Academy for the following school year, and as a current Excel academy employee, you will be guaranteed an interview. High-performing fellows may be asked to take on parental leave coverage assignment or can apply to take on a mid-year lead openings. For the duration of that coverage, compensation will be increased to a full teacher salary.
Starting Salary & Start Date: $48 - 57k, commensurate with experience. The ideal candidate would start in August 2026.
- Co-teach and lead teach a core subject or elective class throughout the school year
- Co-plan high quality lessons with Mentor Teacher
- Create and implement high quality lessons
- Design and revise unit plans and lesson plans consistent with long-term curriculum with Mentor Teacher
- Attend and participate in Department or Grade Level Content Meetings
- Substitute teach classes in grades 5th to 12th, across subject areas, as assigned in the daily morning email
- As needed, middle school fellows plan and lead academic intervention periods
- Serve as a homeroom teacher or advisor
- Within a team of three teachers, plan and lead activities for a homeroom group of 29 students
- Participate in regular Grade Level Team meetings
- Contribute to Grade Level Team activities, assemblies, special events, etc.
- Middle School Fellows will lead a group of students in a 90-minute enrichment class session on Fridays each season
- Meet weekly with a Mentor teacher to receive feedback on growth and development of teaching skills
- Provide 10 – 15 hours per week of operational support, as requested by the Operations Team
- Provide coverage for non-instructional time (Lunch, Study hall, Recess, Enrichment, etc.) as requested in the regular administer communications and as on the quarterly/trimester schedule
- Other operational support as requested
- Support with planning and execution of field trips, such as community service, as needed
- Attend required bi-weekly Fellow PD from 4:30-6:00 PM
- September - November: Classroom culture PD
- November - June: differentiated PD based on performance
- Work with Mentor Teachers to develop professional development goals
- Participate in school-based and network-wide professional development training
- Attend weekly collaboration meetings with core content Grade Level Content (GLC) & Department teams
- Attend and participate in Grade Level Team (GLT) team meetings and huddles
- A Bachelor’s degree
- You value ownership of your growth in and out of the classroom
- You value initiative and are eager for feedback and have the ability to effectively implement feedback
- You value students first and the belief that all students are capable of success
- 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.
Salary : $48 - $57