Middle School Special Education Teacher (Life Skills)

• 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

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

Instructional Responsibilities Teach daily lessons to students with sever disabilities in a small-group setting Serve as an inclusion teacher as needed to more effectively support the learning abilities of students; Work closely with interdisciplinary team (other program teachers, related service providers) to differentiate curriculum, help create effective accommodations, and modify curriculum when appropriate; and Ensure that all work with students with disabilities is in alignment with the school's academic goals and supports 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.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Understand how your identity markers (including race, class, and gender) impact your leadership; Demonstrate understanding and respect for the cultures and languages of our communities; Solicit and welcome collaboration and feedback from colleagues, students, families and the surrounding community; Understand the impact of historical and structural racism and use this lens in your decision-making; and Take action to demonstrate personal reflections and growth/be responsive to feedback and lessons learned. 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 preferred. License or certification not required prior to start date: All Commonwealth charter teachers must either have a license or pass required MTEL(s) within their first year of employment in a teacher role. 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.