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/.

POSITION OVERVIEW

• To assist in the evaluation of referred children.
• To assist in the development of an Educational Plan for a child with special needs.
• To serve as the liaison person between teacher and principal in the writing, implementation, and evaluation of educational plans.
• To assist the special education staff to develop a system for learning in the Holyoke Public Schools.
• To help teachers formulate instructional objectives needed for effective learning.
• To assist in providing in-service training for staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

 Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Massachusetts Certification in Moderate Disabilities, PreK-8 and  5-12 with SEI Endorsement; second licensure in English as a second Language preferred.
• Belief that all children can succeed
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent teamwork skills 
• Strong customer service orientation
• Strong organization and/or project management skills
• Ability to use computer-based recruitment tools
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) encouraged to apply
• Knowledge of evaluative measures of student behavior and writing skills