Ailis Kiernan

Specialist, BPS Teaching Fellowship

Ailis Kiernan began her educational journey in an immersion bilingual program at the American School of Asuncion in Paraguay, where she led the K-12 teacher team in developing the school’s first ESL support curriculum. After returning to the United States, Ailis joined the Boston Public Schools, teaching 4th and 5th grades, and Middle School English Language Arts and Math. She focused on providing tiered instruction and tailored support for English learners and students with disabilities.

In addition to her classroom teaching, Ailis contributed to district-wide professional development, emphasizing critical reading, culturally relevant pedagogy, and inquiry-based learning. Her dedication to fostering safe, culturally affirming environments for diverse learners drives her passion for mentoring new teachers. This commitment ultimately led her to her current role as a BPS Teaching Fellowship Specialist on the Recruitment, Cultivation, and Diversity Team.