HPS is actively seeking innovative school leaders with a track record of improving outcomes for students to be part of this exciting, cutting-edge turnaround work. The principal will help the Receiver build and manage a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to provide the children and families of the Holyoke Public Schools with the highest possible level of education and service pursuant to the district’s turnaround plan.

In the 2014-2015 school year the Holyoke Public Schools established a Dual Language Program at the Joseph Metcalf School. The mission of dual language is to prepare linguistically and culturally competent students for a globalized world. This innovative program offers language acquisition opportunities in English and Spanish through research based curriculum that is aligned with the district's benchmarks and state's curriculum frameworks. Research shows that language acquisition is accelerated in early childhood and that the developing brain is much more adaptable to learning multiple languages at one time. Students who participate and persist in dual language programs are significantly more likely to experience successful academic careers in high school and college.

Due to the high demand for the program, beginning in the fall of 2016-17 a second dual language program is being introduced at EN White School. This dual language program will start with the opening of a Spanish language immersion classrooms, where 80% of instruction takes place in Spanish and will provide an immersion experience in a high quality school setting. The goal of these dual language programs is to eventually feed into a dual language pathway at the high school level that leads to students attaining the Seal of Biliteracy along with their high school diplomas.

Job description:

• Plan, organize, and provide instruction in English and Spanish in the Core Curriculum Content Standards. Instruction shall be closely related to and coordinated with the regular instructional program so that students meet and exceed the State Core Curriculum Content Standards.

• Meet and instruct assigned classes in the locations and at the times designated.

• Plan, organize and provide instruction to assist students in mastering verbal and written skills in English and Spanish, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students and employs a variety of instructional techniques and media to promote both linguistic, academic, and socio-emotional development.

• 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.

• Provide a nurturing, supportive, and positive classroom climate that encourages student responsibility, using positive motivation, clear classroom routines, challenging instructional strategies, and effective classroom management techniques.

• 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.

• Communicate regularly with the parents to nurture a supportive and cooperative relationship between home and school.

• Plan and supervise purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s) and volunteer(s) and, cooperatively with department heads, evaluate their job performance.

• Assist the professional staff through individual consultation and/or staff development sessions with understanding effective strategies and approaches to meet the needs of students who are in the Dual Language Program.
• Summarize, interpret, and disseminate current developments in bilingual programs through reading of professional journals, participation in professional development, and involvement in professional organizations.

• Attend staff meetings and serve on staff committee as required.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• At least one year of full-time teaching experience
• Commitment to ensuring academic success for all students

• Academic preparation or teaching experience with Second Language Learners.

• 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 
• Must be able to listen, speak, read, and write fluently and proficiently in Spanish and English

Required license(s): 

• Early Childhood: Students with and without Disabilities, PreK-2 with SEI Endorsement; English as a second Language preferred.