The Chair of Academic Supports provides Pre-K through Grade 12 leadership for the systems, programs, and practices that ensure students receive the academic and individualized support necessary to thrive at Bay View. Reporting to the Director of Student Services, the Chair leads the School’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and oversees the coordination of academic interventions, student support plans, accommodations, and specialized academic support programming across all divisions.
Working collaboratively with faculty, school counselors, administrators, the School Nurse, families, and outside providers, the Chair ensures that student needs are identified early, interventions are coordinated and data-informed, and support practices are consistent across the School. The role provides leadership and supervision for key academic support programs and personnel, including the CLASSroom, which provides targeted student supports; Lower School interventionists; and the Purcell Promise Program, which extends our academic program to young women with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities; while supporting faculty in implementing effective classroom interventions and accommodations.
The Chair also plays an important role in strengthening the School’s overall approach to student support through progress monitoring, data analysis, professional learning, program evaluation, and resource planning. Through this work, the Chair of Academic Supports helps create a cohesive PK–12 continuum of support that promotes student growth, access, independence, and success within Bay View’s academic program.
Our School
St. Mary Academy – Bay View is an all-girls, independent, Mercy Catholic school located in Riverside, Rhode Island, serving a diverse population of girls from Pre-K through Grade 12. A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy and Mercy Education, St. Mary Academy – Bay View fosters academic excellence in an innovative and creative learning environment. For more than 150 years, Bay View has empowered each student to be a confident, independent, compassionate, and socially conscious faith-filled young woman.
Reports to: Director of Student Services
Partners closely with: School Counseling, Associate Heads, Division Heads, School Nurse
Supervises: CLASSroom, Purcell Promise, Lower School Interventionists
Key Responsibilities
I. MTSS LEADERSHIP & SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
- Design, implement, and continuously refine the School’s PK–12 Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), including tiered interventions, referral processes, entry and exit criteria, universal screening, and progress monitoring.
- Develop and maintain the School’s MTSS Framework and Manual, ensuring consistent referral pathways, intervention practices, and expectations across divisions.
- Convene and coordinate PK–12 student support personnel to promote a cohesive continuum of academic and student support services.
- In partnership with the Associate Head of School for Academics, support faculty in implementing effective classroom interventions and accommodations within the general education setting.
II. STUDENT SUPPORT PLANS, INTERVENTIONS & ACCOMMODATIONS
- Design, implement, and monitor student support plans, including Individualized Service Plans (ISPs), for students requiring academic, behavioral, social-emotional, or medical support.
- Partner with teachers, school counselors, families, administrators, and the School Nurse to identify emerging needs, coordinate interventions, monitor student progress, and ensure continuity of support.
- Coordinate and oversee testing accommodations for school-based assessments and manage accommodation requests with the College Board, ACT, and other external testing organizations.
III. PROGRAM OVERSIGHT, DATA & STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING
- Oversee the CLASSroom program and staff, monitoring student progress, support plans, attendance, assessments, instructional needs, and overall program effectiveness.
- Maintain and analyze student support and MTSS data to evaluate interventions and inform student placement, scheduling, programming, and resource allocation.
- Develop and maintain MTSS dashboards and provide the Leadership Team with regular reporting and recommendations regarding student outcomes, program effectiveness, identified gaps, and resource needs.
- Contribute student-support expertise to admissions, re-enrollment, and placement decisions.
IV. PURCELL PROMISE PROGRAM LEADERSHIP & OVERSIGHT
- Provide overall leadership for the Purcell Promise Program, including curriculum and program development, budget oversight, grant implementation, and relationships with feeder schools and community partners.
- In partnership with the special education teacher, lead the Mentor Sisters program, including the identification, training, coaching, and ongoing support of student mentors.
- Coordinate Purcell Promise orientation, retreats, community-based enrichment, and other programming that supports student engagement and belonging.
- Support general education teachers in effectively serving Purcell Promise students and their Sister Mentors through consultation, coaching, co-teaching, and professional development.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Educational Leadership, School Psychology, or a related field preferred; bachelor’s degree required.
- Certification or advanced training in special education, reading/literacy, school psychology, educational leadership, or a related area preferred.
- Minimum of five years of experience in education, with demonstrated experience supporting students with diverse learning needs.
- Strong knowledge of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), including intervention design, progress monitoring, and data-informed decision-making.
- Experience developing and overseeing student support plans, accommodations, and Individualized Service Plans (ISPs).
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate effectively with faculty, counselors, administrators, families, and outside professionals.
- Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills, including the ability to manage multiple programs and student support priorities.
- Commitment to inclusive educational practices, the mission of St. Mary Academy – Bay View, the value of an all-girls education, and the Mercy values that guide the school community.
To Apply:
Visit bayviewacademy.org/about-bayview/employment-opportunities and download the “Teaching Application.” The application, cover letter, Leadership Philosophy Statement, and resume must be submitted via email to: employment@bayviewacademy.org, or mail to: St. Mary Academy – Bay View, Attn: Mrs. Karen Barbosa, Associate Head of School for Student Experience, 3070 Pawtucket Avenue, Riverside, RI 02915.
An Equal Opportunity Employer, St. Mary Academy – Bay View commits itself to maintaining a welcoming environment for all people and extends its welcome to those who may be vulnerable to discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, military status, or other legally protected status.
