Reports to: BTU President and BPS Superintendent or Designee

 

Description: 

 

The recently ratified 2021-2024 BPS-BTU Contract establishes an historic shared vision for and commitment to reforming special education and ensuring district-wide inclusive practices in Boston Public Schools. 

 

BPS and the BTU  share a common belief that the achievement and opportunities of our students is our collective responsibility.  We believe that inclusion is fully delivered when all students are educated in the least restrictive environment and are provided access to a full continuum of services that meet their individualized and special needs.  Inclusion is not a place or a program.  All classrooms in the Boston Public Schools must be inclusive.

 

We seek an experienced, committed, and skilled educator-leader to serve in this unique position to ensure that our shared vision is realized through a collaborative labor-management approach at the district level and in all of our schools. This person will collaborate closely with the Office of Inclusion and other departments across the district as well as engage with educators  to ensure communication across all levels of the organization to ensure the success of this initiative.  

 

Responsibilities of the Inclusive Education Liaison

 

• Collaboration and Educator Voice
• Promoting labor-management collaboration in support of the shared vision and processes for an inclusive district established in the contract
• Ensuring that educators are engaged and have voice in all planning and implementation as described in the contract

 

• BPS-facing responsibilities
• Serving on BPS committees or work groups related to the vision as appropriate.
• In collaboration with the Office of Inclusion, documenting monthly progress reports to the Superintendent that highlight areas of strength and areas that need improvement related to implementation,
• Communicating educator concerns and feedback to the district-wide inclusion working group 
• Attend School Committee meetings as needed to answer questions
•  Support communications to district and teacher leaders
• Collaborate with Office of Inclusion in planning and implementation of professional development and guidance for inclusion planning teams

 

• BTU-facing Responsibilities

 

• Regular reporting to the BTU President, leadership, and membership as necessary.
• Attendance at BTU membership meetings.
• Supporting BTU staff with interpreting and enacting the processes for planning and implementing inclusive practices in schools
• Create and share guidance and best practice resources for school-based leaders to implement the agreement, especially inclusion planning teams and problem solving processes.

 

• Supporting Educators and Schools
• Assisting BTU members with resolving challenges, questions, or concerns related to inclusive education and the provision of special education and ESL services.
• Sharing best practices and effective models across schools
• Connecting educators to resources to support implementation

 

• Assist school sites with creating and maintaining effective inclusion planning teams 
• Advocate for appropriate staffing and programming for schools as needed
• Attend school-based inclusion planning team meetings as available to offer support schools and identify consider patterns across schools for district and BTU intervention and support

 QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED:

• Valid Massachusetts special education  teaching license
• Experience teaching in inclusive settings in the Boston Public Schools
• At least five years teaching experience in the Boston Public Schools 
• Permanent teacher status in Boston Public Schools
• Knowledge of and experience with Special Education law, policy, and practices
• Experience with district-level initiatives, committees or teams as a leader or participant
• Ability and willingness to travel to schools across the district and the central office as schedule and duties dictate.  This includes availability for afternoon or evening programming at least once per month.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, ensuring all students access to the highest quality instruction, and closing the opportunity gap
• Demonstrated ability to apply a racial equity lens to decision making.
• Experience designing, facilitating, and coordinating professional learning experiences 
• Project management and organization skills
• Relational skills, especially empathy and listening
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, presenting, social media)
• A deep understanding of the experience of teachers and students in BPS classrooms.  
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with teams of educators and district and union staff
• Passion for education and a commitment to equity, and specifically for improving learning and life outcomes for all students through the use of evidence based innovative practices
• Strong knowledge of Google applications for collaboration

 

QUALIFICATIONS - PREFERRED:

• Ten years of teaching experience in the Boston Public Schools
• Valid ESL license
• Coaching experience
• Experience facilitating groups with a variety of sometimes competing stakeholder priorities and interests
• Knowledge of protocols that lead to productive and focused discussions
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Director of Special Education licensure  or comparable practical experience in school and/or system-level special education leadership

Terms: BTU, Group 1 Salary +10% Differential

• Workday - 6.5 hours
• Up to 18 days in summer.
• By contract, this position expires after the 2026-2027 school year, but may be extended in future bargaining
• Primary work location in BPS Central Office as per BTU Contract Page 3 of 3
• Position requires travel among BPS schools and Central Office and availability for regular after school and evening meetings or professional learning
• Evaluated by a designee of the Superintendent

 

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, employment, or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.