Middle School Learning Specialist

Excel Academy Charter Schools; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Excel Academy Charter Schools in Massachusetts and Rhode Island seeks dedicated teachers to deliver high-quality, college-preparatory instruction. The role emphasizes entrepreneurial teaching, frequent feedback, and passion for sharing expertise with students.

You will support students with diverse needs, work with general education staff to differentiate lessons, and maintain strong communication with families to advance student achievement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• License or certification not required prior to start date.
• Two years’ teaching experience in urban public or charter school settings preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Teach daily instructional support lessons to students on caseload.
• Serve as an inclusion teacher as needed to support students with high needs.
• Differentiate curriculum with general ed teachers and modify accommodations when appropriate.
• Ensure alignment of Special Education services with federal and state regulations.
• Manage all Special Education paperwork (IEPs, 504s, progress reports, etc.) and deadlines.
• Maintain regular communication with students’ parents/guardians.

Skills

Classroom management

Differentiated instruction

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

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

Teaching Responsibilities

• 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;
• License or certification not required prior to start date:
• You can learn more about Licensure Requirements through DESE here: https://gateway.edu.state.ma.us/elar/licensurehelp/LicenseRequirementsCriteriaPageControl.ser
• 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.

Excel Academy Charter Schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, creed, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, ancestry, athletic performance, special need, proficiency in the English language or a foreign language or prior academic achievement.