DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 4,800 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging.

Holyoke Public Schools’ strategic plan, “Moving Forward Together,” builds on the strengths of our past while serving as a call to action to accelerate student learning by thinking differently about how we teach, how we work together, and how we support students’ well-being. 

Many successes contributed to Holyoke’s return to local governance after 10 years in state receivership. These include:

• The highest graduation rate on record of 77.1 percent, an increase of more than 15-points over 10 years
• Meaningful, applied learning opportunities for high school students, including theme-based academies, career vocational technical education programming, work-based learning, and advanced coursework
• A comprehensive approach to early literacy that includes strong core instruction and one-on-one tutoring, contributing to more students reading at grade level
• A thriving dual language English/Spanish program, where nearly 900 students are on their path to becoming bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural

• More than one-third of Holyoke teachers identify as people of color, a 19-point increase over 10 years. Many partnership programs support staff to earn licensure or additional certification.

Please visit the Holyoke Public Schools website to learn more about us, our recent accomplishments, and our commitment to equity. 

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PERSPECTIVA GENERAL DEL DISTRITO

Las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke son un distrito escolar público que cuenta con 11 escuelas de prekínder a 12.° grado y acoge a casi 4 800 estudiantes, de los cuales el 80 % se identifica como latino o latina. Empleamos a casi 1 300 personas que, en conjunto, educan y apoyan a una comunidad de estudiantes altamente diversa. Estamos comprometidos a contratar y retener educadores de alta calidad que creen firmemente que todos los niños pueden aprender y aprenderán, y que se esfuerzan diariamente por hacer de la escuela un lugar alegre de descubrimiento, apoyo y pertenencia.

El plan estratégico de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke , “Avanzando Juntos”, se basa en nuestras fortalezas previas y, al mismo tiempo, sirve como un llamado a la acción para acelerar el aprendizaje estudiantil a través de una nueva perspectiva sobre cómo enseñamos, cómo trabajamos en colaboración y cómo apoyamos el bienestar de los estudiantes. 

Existen numerosos logros que permitieron a Holyoke recuperar el control local después de 10 años de administración judicial.  Entre estos logros se encuentran:

• La tasa de graduación más alta registrada, del 77.1 %, lo que representa un aumento de más de 15 puntos porcentuales en 10 años
• Oportunidades significativas de aprendizaje práctico para estudiantes de secundaria, que incluyen academias temáticas, programas de educación técnica y vocacional, aprendizaje basado en el trabajo y cursos avanzados
• Un enfoque integral de la alfabetización temprana que combina una sólida instrucción básica con tutorías individuales, lo cual ha contribuido a que más estudiantes lean a nivel de grado
• Un próspero programa bilingüe de inglés/español, en el que casi 900 estudiantes avanzan hacia el bilingüismo, la biliteracidad, y la biculturalidad.

• Más de un tercio de los maestros de Holyoke se identifican como personas de etnicidad diversa, lo que representa un aumento de 19 puntos porcentuales en 10 años. Diversas colaboraciones con programas que han contribuido a que miembros del personal obtengan sus certificaciones o credenciales adicionales.

Visite el sitio web de las Escuelas Públicas de Holyoke para obtener más información sobre nuestra comunidad, nuestros logros recientes y  nuestro compromiso con la equidad. 

Job Coach

Transitions Academy | Holyoke Public Schools

About Transitions Academy

Transitions Academy is a specialized transition program within Holyoke Public Schools that supports students ages 18–22 as they prepare for life after high school. The program focuses on building independence through employment, community access, daily living skills, self-advocacy, and post-secondary planning. Students participate in authentic work experiences, community-based instruction, and vocational training designed to help them achieve their individual transition goals and maximize independence in adulthood.

Position Summary

The Job Coach supports students in both classroom and community-based settings by reinforcing academic, vocational, social, and independent living skills. This role works closely with the Program Manager, teachers, related service providers, families, and community employers to help students develop the skills necessary for successful employment and independent living.

The ideal candidate is patient, flexible, relationship-driven, and committed to supporting students as they transition into adulthood.

Essential Responsibilities

Student Support

• Work with individual students and small groups to reinforce skills and concepts introduced by teachers and program staff.

• Support students in developing vocational, social, communication, and independent living skills.

• Assist students in mastering workplace equipment, instructional materials, and job-related tasks.

• Provide direct support to students in classroom, community, and employment settings.

• Assist students with mobility, personal care, and activities of daily living as needed.

• Support students during breakfast, lunch, snack, and cleanup routines.

• Meet buses and assist students with arrival, departure, and daily routines.

• Participate in physical education and community-based activities, including dressing appropriately to support student participation.

Vocational and Employment Support

• Assist the Program Manager, teachers, and related service providers in implementing vocational training plans and employment experiences.

• Support students at job sites by modeling workplace expectations, reinforcing job skills, and promoting independence.

• Monitor student performance across various work placements and community settings.

• Conduct job site visits and maintain communication with employers regarding student progress.

• Obtain employer feedback and evaluations to support student growth and goal attainment.

• Serve as a liaison between students, employers, families, and school staff.

• Identify areas where students may require additional coaching, training, or workplace accommodations.

• Promote positive work habits, professionalism, punctuality, communication skills, and workplace readiness.

Behavioral and Instructional Support

• Assist in the implementation of behavioral support plans under the direction of program staff.

• Maintain accurate behavioral logs, progress monitoring data, and required documentation.

• Reinforce positive behavior strategies and support students in developing self-regulation skills.

• Collect and maintain documentation necessary for program participation, work experiences, and parent/guardian permissions.

Collaboration and Program Support

• Collaborate with teachers, related service providers, families, and community partners to support student success.

• Participate in team meetings, professional development, and training opportunities.

• Assist with community-based instruction, field trips, vocational experiences, and other program activities.

• Maintain confidentiality and uphold all district policies and procedures.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager or school administration.

 

Desired Qualities

• Belief in the potential of all students.

• Strong relationship-building skills.

• Flexibility and problem-solving mindset.

• Commitment to student independence, dignity, and self-determination.

• Ability to balance support with fostering student autonomy.

 

Qualifications:

• Associate’s Degree or higher; Completing at least two years, or 48 credit hours of study at an institution of higher education, OR taking and passing a formal assessment measuring one’s knowledge of and ability to assist classroom teachers in reading, writing, and mathematics. (Parapro Assessment and workKeys)
• Training or experience working with children and/or adults with disabilities.
• Experience working in an urban setting, preferred
• Experience working with diverse student populations, preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills 
• Bilingual applicants (Spanish) strongly encouraged to apply