Inclusion Coach, Office of Special Education (Long-Term Substitute) (SY24-25)

Boston Public Schools - Boston, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Boston, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The Inclusion Coach position within the Office of Special Education at Boston Public Schools is a long-term substitute role aimed at enhancing inclusive practices across the district's schools. Boston Public Schools, the largest school district in New England, serves over 10,000 students with disabilities, and the Office of Special Education is dedicated to ensuring these students receive the best education possible. The Inclusion Coach will work closely with a designated caseload of schools, collaborating with school leaders and staff to foster a more inclusive educational environment. This role is pivotal in building equitable learning spaces for students with disabilities, ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. The Inclusion Coach will engage in various responsibilities, including collaborating with school leaders to create a shared vision for inclusion, developing professional development programs tailored to the needs of each school, and deepening the understanding of legal aspects related to inclusion. The coach will also conduct needs assessments to identify specific areas where coaching is required, facilitating professional learning experiences that align with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. This position requires a proactive approach to coaching, with an emphasis on modeling best practices and implementing strategies that improve instructional, behavioral, and social inclusivity in classrooms. Additionally, the Inclusion Coach will work on structural changes by collaborating with school leaders to explore sustainable inclusion models and funding structures. This includes understanding the implications of staffing, funding, and scheduling on the implementation of inclusive practices. The role also involves documenting patterns across schools to identify central office support needs and completing other tasks as assigned by the Principal on Assignment for Inclusion or the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education. Overall, the Inclusion Coach plays a crucial role in advancing the mission of Boston Public Schools to create inclusive, excellent, and equitable learning environments for all students.

Responsibilities

• Work with school leaders and staff to support the process of becoming more inclusive.
• Collaboratively build a vision for inclusion at the school.
• Develop professional development for the caseload of schools in collaboration with the Principal on Assignment for Inclusion and other inclusion coaches.
• Deepen understanding of the legal aspects of inclusion.
• Design and deliver professional learning experiences for school leaders, teachers, and paraprofessionals based on identified support needs.
• Engage in professional development regarding Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and determine the best way to implement UDL content in schools.
• Conduct needs assessments with school leaders and staff to identify helpful coaching strategies.
• Conduct coaching sessions with school staff to follow up on professional development and document improvements in practices.
• Develop short and long-term strategies for classrooms and schools to improve inclusive strategies.
• Collaborate with school leaders to generate potential inclusion models and sustainable funding structures.
• Support school leaders in implementing their vision through the budget process, culminating in Probable Organization meetings.
• Document patterns across schools regarding needs and central office support requirements.
• Complete other tasks as requested by the Principal on Assignment for Inclusion or the Assistant Superintendent for Special Education.

Requirements

• Hold valid Special Education certification in moderate OR severe disabilities.
• Hold a Master's Degree in the field of Special Education or a related field.
• Possess a minimum of five years of experience as a Special Education teacher in a large urban district.
• Demonstrate experience in culturally and linguistically responsive practices.
• Experience with problem-solving complex cases.
• Demonstrate experience with and a strong understanding of the Common Core and UDL.
• Demonstrate capability to work collaboratively with central office and school administrators, direct service providers, families, students, and outside partners.
• Demonstrate the ability to assess and address the academic and behavioral needs of students.
• Ability to effectively communicate how to design rigorous instruction that incorporates engagement methods and access for diverse needs in BPS classrooms.
• Demonstrate knowledge of transition requirements for students with disabilities.
• Be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice-to-haves

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification.
• ESL certification.
• Bilingual or fluent in a second language.
• Familiarity with and/or experience in the Boston Public Schools.

Benefits

• Salary depends on education and experience, as per BTU position guidelines.
• Access to employee benefits and policies as outlined on the Boston Public Schools website.