Excel Academy Charter Schools Careers

Description

Organization Overview  

Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality education to students in East Boston and Chelsea. Over the years, we have grown from one middle school to a network of four schools with 1,400 students in grades 5 to 12. 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.   

We present our students with educational experiences that allow them to grow and discover their best selves so that when they leave our halls, they can successfully navigate all of the post-secondary options available to them. You can read more about the impact of the Excel Academy model here.  

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 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. Out of the classroom and with the support of school administrators, the High School School Special Education Teacher will manage administrative/regulatory aspects of the Special Education Program.  

Essential Functions & Responsibilities  

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

Instructional Responsibilities  

• Teaches and founds our substantially-separate LEAP program for 3 students with severe disabilities who require modified instruction across contents
• Conducts student assessment, designs individualized educational plans, implements appropriate instructional strategies and monitors progress on assigned students.
• Assists in coordinating the various instructionally related services provided to students while maintaining significant responsibility for each student’s overall educational program.
• Selects, adapts, constructs, checks and maintains instructional equipment and supplies appropriate to the program area, needs of students and safety concerns.
• Provides a positive learning environment that stimulates student learning and maintenance of skills.
• Provide academic instruction to special needs students in a variety of subjects using evidence-based techniques such as multisensory learning, repetition or phonetics.
• Utilize positive reinforcement and behavior modification to instruct students in socially acceptable behavior to reduce incidents and maintain order.
• Ensure that all work with students with disabilities is aligned with the school’s academic goals for student achievement.

Administrative Responsibilities  

• Provides revisions/updates to existing IEPs in collaboration with the IEP team;
• Ensures that implementation of Special Education services is in compliance with federal and state special education regulations for students on their caseload;
• Manages all paperwork (e.g. IEPs, 504s, Child Study Records of Accommodations, Teacher Input Questionnaires, IEP Progress Reports, subject-area checklists for MCAS, etc.) for students on caseload,, ensuring deadlines are met and information is accurately recorded;
• Maintains regular communication with students’ parents/guardians and families.

Team Member Responsibilities  

• Continually communicates with students and families regarding academic and behavior performance and progress;
• Serves as a student advisor; and
• Serves as a productive member of the Excel Community.

Qualifications  

• A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred;
• Special Education license in Moderate to Severe Disabilities;
• A commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
• A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement.

Preference will be given to applicants who also:  

• Have experience in a public or charter school setting
• Speak Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic fluently
• Can speak to the importance of rigorous and supportive classroom instruction and culture
• Can speak to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion

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.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.