BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BELLINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
TITLE: ELA Academic Specialist – Keough Memorial Academy
SALARY: Per BTA Contract
FUNCTION:
To support students with disabilities through comprehensive academic assessment, IEP development, progress monitoring, and targeted instruction in English Language Arts within a therapeutic, alternative school setting.
DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
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Conduct all academic special education evaluations, including formal and informal literacy assessments; analyze data and prepare comprehensive written reports.
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Present evaluation results clearly and effectively at IEP Team meetings, ensuring compliance with DESE regulations.
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Develop high-quality, measurable IEP goals aligned to student needs, with a strong emphasis on ELA domains (reading, writing, language, and communication); collaborate with teachers and service providers to implement and monitor progress.
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Write and implement individualized ELA IEP goals targeting decoding, fluency, comprehension, written expression, and executive functioning skills related to literacy tasks.
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Collect, analyze, and interpret student data related to ELA IEP goals; monitor progress and adjust instruction using data-driven decision-making.
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Provide direct, explicit ELA instruction (individual and small group) using evidence-based literacy practices, including structured reading and writing instruction.
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Design and implement targeted interventions to support struggling and reluctant readers and writers, including students with significant gaps in foundational literacy skills.
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Support students in accessing grade-level ELA curriculum through differentiation, scaffolding, and explicit modeling of reading comprehension and writing strategies.
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Modify and accommodate ELA curriculum materials, assignments, and assessments to meet diverse learning needs.
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Collaborate with ELA and content-area teachers to plan, implement, and refine engaging, standards-aligned instructional practices that meet students’ unique learning needs.
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Provide coaching and consultation to teachers on effective ELA instructional strategies, including increasing student engagement, supporting diverse learners, and integrating reading and writing across content areas.
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Support interdisciplinary literacy development by helping teachers embed reading, writing, and communication skills across subject areas.
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Assist in the operation of the Alternative Classroom, providing academic and literacy support to students requiring a more regulated setting when available.
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Support students in accessing coursework, including those requiring online or alternative instructional formats.
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Participate in team meetings, including IEP meetings, data meetings, and professional collaboration opportunities.
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Maintain accurate and timely documentation in accordance with district and state requirements.
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Foster positive relationships with students, staff, and families to support student success.
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Support the school’s core values of being Safe, Kind, and Responsible.
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Demonstrate a history of developing effective strategies to reengage reluctant learners, particularly in reading and writing.
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Adhere to all policies of the Bellingham School Committee and Keough Memorial Academy.
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Other duties as assigned by the Principal.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Licensed or eligible for licensure in Moderate Disabilities 5–12 by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education required and Academic: Teacher, English, 8-12, Professional.
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Strong background in English Language Arts instruction, including evidence-based practices in reading, writing, and language development.
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Experience developing, implementing, and monitoring ELA-focused IEP goals.
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Deep understanding of adolescent literacy development, including foundational skills, comprehension, and written expression.
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Experience conducting academic evaluations and writing comprehensive evaluation reports preferred.
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Strong knowledge of IEP development, progress monitoring, and special education compliance.
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Experience working with students in grades 7–12, preferably in alternative or therapeutic settings.
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Experience collaborating with and coaching educators on engaging, differentiated, and inclusive ELA instructional practices.
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Demonstrated ability to analyze literacy data and use it to inform instruction and intervention.
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Experience providing individualized and small group ELA instruction aligned to IEP goals.
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Strong collaboration and coaching skills to support general education teachers in implementing effective literacy strategies across content areas.
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Ability to differentiate, modify, and accommodate curriculum effectively, particularly in ELA.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Commitment to ongoing professional growth and reflective practice.
