Physical Therapist or PTA (7/21/25 - 8/1/25)

Description

Organization Overview

Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality 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.

About the Role

The Physical Therapist is responsible for ensuring that 1 student is provided adequate support to find success in the school setting.

Schedule

The Extended School Year program will run from July 21st–25th and July 28th–August 1st, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM each day at the high school.

We have three students who each require 30 minutes of physical therapy per week, totaling 1.5 hours per week and 3 hours total for the entirety of ESY.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess students' conditions and needs;
• 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;
• Demonstrate exercises that can help students better perform everyday tasks;
• Evaluate a student's home or workplace and identify potential improvements based on their needs;
• Educate a student's family about how to help care for and accommodate them;
• Recommend and teach students how to use adaptive equipment that will help them with daily living, such as wheelchairs and eating aids; and
• Assess patients' progress against goals and prepare reports for healthcare providers and insurance agencies.

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 Valid Massachusetts PT or PTA license;
• A commitment to and belief in allstudents and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
• A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement.

  Preference will be given to applicants who also:

  • Have experience in a public or charter school setting;
  • Speak Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic fluently;
  • Can speak to the importance of rigorous classroom instruction and culture;
  • Can speak to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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.