METCO Academic Liaison

THE WAYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEEK A *** MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER

WPS is a high-achieving west-suburban district of 2,800 students, with one preschool, three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Our diverse student body hails from Wayland and Boston and is composed of 32% students of color and 68% white students, with 15% of our students having a first language other than English.  We seek educators who embrace the diversity of our students and can lead our staff and students in attaining our district’s mission: 

“Personal and civic responsibility, love of learning, and empathy for others; these are the qualities that the Wayland Public Schools seek to instill in its students. At its core, our mission is to provide a rigorous and stimulating academic environment that promotes the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Yet we deem it equally important to nurture self-confident, collaborative, and conscientious individuals. We strive to create a climate where risk-taking is safeguarded, open expression is encouraged, and free association is protected. Our goal is to advance our students' growth into principled, informed, and capable citizens who will help guide a democracy that follows humanitarian principles in the global forum, and shape a just society where individuals may reach their full potential.”

We welcome educators to our district who seek and thrive in a diverse environment that focuses on relationships, belonging, and excellence. Join us in our mission to support the diversity of our school community; implement equitable practices for all of our students, staff, and families; create meaningful connections that foster a sense of belonging; and provide an outstanding educational experience for students, staff, and families.

METCO Academic Liaison

Job Description

The METCO Academic Liaison is responsible for supporting the academic and developmental needs of Boston-resident students. The liaison reports directly to the METCO Director and Building Principal and partners with school staff to foster academic growth and success, effective parental engagement, intrapersonal development, and cultural proficiency. Through targeted interventions, collaborative planning, and relationship building, the liaison facilitates opportunities for students to become scholars and leaders. This position requires a person who is sensitive to and experienced in meeting the needs of urban students and who is able to help them successfully navigate their educational experience.

Job Responsibilities

• Meets regularly with teachers and counselors to assess the academic and social progress of Boston-resident students
• Communicates regularly with families about students’ academic progress
• Assists students with the transition to buses and/or after-school programs at the end of the school each day
• Serves as an advisor to Boston-resident students on academic and social matters
• Participates in any meetings involving decisions about academic level placements
• Provides the METCO Director – and, where appropriate, to Boston families – with regular written reports on student academic progress
• Works with other METCO staff on transitions between schools
• Attends all SPED and START meetings for Boston-resident students
• Supplements the guidance department by providing ongoing evaluation of individual and group development of students in the program through snack and lunch groups, as well as other student meetings as necessary
• Works with the METCO Director to establish programs that broaden the scope of services
• May work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of after-school student supervision; for example, to organize and lead after-school tutoring or homework programs
• Participation in any school-based staff meetings and professional development
• Ability to travel to Boston for up to 5 annual METCO parent meetings in the evenings during the week
• Participation in up to 2 annual METCO events on weekends or holidays (e.g., METCO Family Festival and METCO Annual MLK Event)
• Assumes other duties as assigned by the METCO Director and/or Building Principal

Job Qualifications

• Bachelors degree, Masters preferred in education, psychology, social work, or a related field
• Academic DESE teacher licensure required
• Five years teacher or direct service experience preferred