| Description | 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/.
Holyoke Public Schools believes that all students have the right to an excellent education; our special education teachers are crucial to ensuring all of our diverse learners have success in academics and life. Special education teachers analyze data, support and implement behavior management plans, communicate with parents/guardians, collaborate with general education teachers, and develop IEP goals and objectives that address students of all ability levels. Additionally, Holyoke Public Schools special education teachers deliver specially designed instruction that ensures the growth of our students with exceptionalities with the necessary rigor to prepare them for post-secondary success. This is an excellent opportunity to join a special education team that is preparing the next generation of future leaders.
RISE Program: The RISE Program is a substantially separate program for students with disabilities that result in severe global cognitive delays and adaptive skills deficits. The students in this progam require a school program focused on: pre-academics/readiness skills, limited functional academics and adaptive skills development through provision of significantly modified curriculum, teaching methodology/delivery of instruction and performance criteria.
Personal Qualities of Top Candidates
- Commitment to Equity: Passionate about closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every child, regardless of background or circumstance, receives and excellent education.
- Leadership: Coaches, mentors, and challenges others to excel despite obstacles and challenging situations.
- Focus on Data-Driven Results: Relentlessly pursues the mastery of instruction based on student performance, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
- Innovative Problem-Solving: Relentlessly pursues the mastery of instruction based on student performance, and is driven by a desire to produce quantifiable student achievement gains.
- Adaptability: Excels in a constantly changing environment and adapts to flexibility in shifting projects or priorities to meet the needs of a dynamic transformation effort.
- Teamwork: Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning and supporting other; sensitive to diversity in all its forms; respects and is committed to learning from others.
Job Description:
- Formulate, write and implement Individual Education Plans
- Organize and implement an instructional program that meets the developmental level and unique learning style of diverse learners
- Create a positive educational environment for all students using a multi-tiered system of supports
- Manages the classroom to maintain a safe, secure and effective learning environment by providing a high degree of structure, clear expectations and consistency. Implements expectations and consequences as appropriate for each student as outlined in behavior management plan
- Maintains a firm, fair and consistent approach to the instruction of students and promotes student involvement by reinforcing positive behaviors
- Ensures the rights of all students are observed and protected through the use of appropriate and respectful communication, proper de-escalation techniques, and correct physical restraint methods when necessary.
- Objectively evaluate academic and/or behavioral outcomes through a system of data collection and analysis that drives decision making
- Use professional quality communication skills to convey information to the student’s team
- Meet all district, state and federal requirements for the program to which you are assigned, including IEP and Progress Report deadlines
- Demonstrate an understanding of functional skills and implement a system of positive behavioral interventions
- Administer a variety of assessment tools, write detailed reports, summarize the results and provide recommendations
- Use formative and summative assessment and document student progress and achievement; assess and analyze student strengths; design and implement appropriate instruction to facilitate learning and growth
- Collaborate with other educators, related service providers and parents to maximize student outcomes.
- Remain current with accepted and appropriate instructional theory, practice and research. Including engaging in regular and strategic professional development to stay current in best practices for diverse learners
Candidate Requirements
Compensation and benefits
- Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience
Required License(s)
- Licensure in Severe disabilities, All Levels with SEI Endorsement; second licensure in ESL preferred.
|