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:

• Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.
• Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students and employs a variety of instructional techniques and media.
• Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
• Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and – in harmony with the goals – establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, projects and the like to communicate these objectives to students.
• Strive to implement by instruction and action the district’s philosophy of education, instructional goals, and objectives.
• Assess the accomplishments of students on a regular basis and provides progress reports as required.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
• Make provision for being available to students and parents for education-related purposes outside the instructional day when required or requested.
• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and, cooperatively with department heads, evaluates their job performance.
• Strive to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Attend staff meetings and serves on staff committee as required.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Commitment to ensuring academic success for all students
• Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply student performance data to instructional planning and execution
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills 
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply 

• English as a Second Language, PreK-6 or 5-12 (required) with SEI Endorsement; second licensure in Moderate Disabilities preferred.