DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools (HPS) serves 5,400 students in 11 schools and employs nearly 1500 people.  The District was placed into receivership by the State of Massachusetts in Spring 2015, due to struggling performance well below the state average. Dr. Stephen Zrike Jr., a seasoned Massachusetts educator, was selected as Receiver to lead this exciting turnaround effort, which includes significant autonomy and flexibility from the traditional school system.  Since being in receivership, the District has experienced many promising successes.  In school year 2015-16, the District saw a 7-percentage point increase in proficiency in English Language Arts and a 4-point gain in Math, and attendance rates are up across the District.  HPS has also extended the school day for students in preschool to 8th grade, expanded choice programs such as dual language and personalized learning, and offering new opportunities to students, such as computer science and many other enrichment programs. For more information about the HPS Turnaround Plan, please visit: https://www.hps.holyoke.ma.us/turnaround/.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

1. Plans a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students.
2. Creates a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
3. Skilled in delivering instruction in the latest reading interventions that are researched based and data driven, such as and not limited to Lindamood, Wilson, Story Grammar Marker, etc.
4. Develop personal relationships with the student's parents or guardians, and works to establish with them an understanding and cooperative relationship based on the student's individual needs.
5. Prepares for classes assigned, and shows written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate superior.
6. Encourages students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior.
7. Employs a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media, consistent with the physical limitations of the location provided and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
8. Strives to implement by instruction and action the district's philosophy of education, instructional goals, and objectives.
9. Do baseline testing to determine educational needs and develop a strategic plan to address weaknesses. File quarterly written progress reports on each assigned student, which includes yearly progress monitoring.
10. Diagnoses the learning disabilities of students on a regular basis, seeking the assistance of district specialist as required.
11. Maintains accurate, completes, and corrects records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
12. Assists the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct, and, for the classroom, develops reasonable rules of classroom behavior and procedure, and maintains order in the classroom in a fair and just manner.
13. Plans and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and, evaluates their job performance.
14. Strives to maintain and improve professional competence. 15. Attends staff meetings and serves on staff committee as required.
15. Other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Massachusetts Licensure in Severe or Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8 with SEI Endorsement; second licensure in English as a Second Language preferred.
• Course work in communication disorders
• High skilled in all aspects of Lindamood, Wilson, Story Grammar Marker, etc.