School Psychologist

Location

Massachusetts | United States

Job description

Description

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.       

Your Impact
The School Psychologist will provide consultation, assessment, and intervention services related to school psychology. They will support all Excel schools and will report to a member of the Network Student Supports team. While the role primarily serves our Massachusetts schools, additional compensation may be available for conducting limited evaluations in our North Providence school location, and candidates interested in serving both regions will receive preference in the interview process. The School Psychologist will join an existing team of two at Excel, one of whom will be out on parental leave until January. While this role serves to provide services for that parental leave, the role is a full school year role and opportunities may be available for the following school year.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Evaluate and screen students’ abilities and needs to determine eligibility for special education services;
  • Administer, score, and interpret assessments in the areas of cognitive, emotional, social, and behavioral functioning (which Excel will provide);
  • Reach out to families to collect detailed family input and relevant history information;
  • Collaborate with students’ teachers and learning specialists to gain a clear and complete in-school profile;
• Write evaluation reports including all cognitive, social-emotional, and behavior assessments, goals, and specific recommendations in a timely fashion and in accordance with compliance due dates and the Massachusetts disability categories;
• Act as part of the diagnostic team for initial and three-year evaluations in tandem with special education teachers, general education teachers, family, and outside providers;
• Maintain the legal confidentiality and privacy of student information while collaborating with students’ special education teams;
• Participate in special education team meetings as requested by school-based staff;
• Provide consultation to classroom teachers and learning specialists pertaining to student progress, behavior management techniques, and individualized behavior management plans; and
• Participate in Excel’s Response to Intervention (RTI) system by attending Child Study Team (CST) meetings with grade level teams and providing direct interventions to Tier II and Tier III students.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree in School Psychology required;
• Possession of MA DESE School Psychologist License by the first day of school;
• 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. 

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.

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.

Job tags

Salary