Reading Specialist (8 Hours/Wk)

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

The Reading Specialist is responsible for ensuring that students are provided adequate support to find success in the school setting. The Reading Specialist at Excel Academy would provide services to students across our 4 schools and work closely with teachers, administrators, and other key stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for students.

Your Impact

• Provide direct reading intervention and instruction for students who are below grade level benchmarks;
• Collaborate with teachers, students and their families, the school nurse, learning specialists, social workers, and other members of a student's support team;
• Develop and propose a plan for students with specific tasks that will help them meet their goals;
• Support small literacy group models within classrooms;
• Provide literacy assessments and ongoing data analysis;
• Help teachers interpret literacy assessment data of students;
• Conduct initial and triennial reading evaluations for students who are referred to a reading evaluation; and
• Assess student' progress against goals and prepare reports quarterly.

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.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and a master's degree in reading instruction preferred;
• Related Service Providers (Speech Language Pathologists, Reading Specialists, School Psychologists, and Occupational Therapists/ABA Therapists as applicable) need to hold and maintain a subject-area MA teaching license in their subject area

• • If applicable, RSPs must also have and maintain the relevant independent license (from the relevant MA professional board, for example)

• 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.
  

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.