JORGE O. ELORZA

Mayor

SUSAN F. LUSI, PH.D

Superintendent

Providence Public School District Office of Innovation Zone

797 Westminster Street Providence, RI 02903-4045

tel. 401.278.2099 fax 401.456.9252

www.ppsdinnovationzone.org

Secondary Special Education Generalist (Teacher) Opportunity by Design (OBD) High School housed at Hope HS Posting

DESCRIPTION CBH position - full-time permanent teaching position beginning at the start of the 2015/16 school year.

The Opportunity by Design (OBD) High School housed at Hope High School will be a student-centered hub of personalized

learning experiences for each student. We will create a future-focused learning environment that supports and develops each

students unique talents. The OBD High School housed at Hope High School will be an inclusive school that embraces diversity

of people, ideas and solutions. Students will be encouraged develop a problem-solving mindset to address real-world issues and

lead their own learning. Our instructional framework centers on personalized, mastery-based approaches and flexible use of time

and resources, allowing students to both recoup and accelerate their learning. The schools founding team will work together to

empower teacher and student leadership to ensure that students are prepared to be successful in educational and professional

experiences after high school.

Faculty at OBD High School housed at Hope High School will be flexible, comfortable working across disciplines, and able to

transition smoothly between a variety of roles and responsibilities. Teachers will be responsible for creating a positive community

and cultivating students interest in learning whether working one-on-one with students, in small groups, co-teaching, or leading

a class. Also important, founding faculty members will join an incredible team of like-minded professionals working to achieve

the same mission and ensure that our students receive the personalized, world-class education they deserve.

Centered on the Carnegie Corporation of New Yorks School Design Principles, this school has been designed with student,

educator, family and community participation in the design process. This school will follow PPSDs regular student calendar and

the co-located schools start/end times (Hope HS). More information about the Carnegie School Design Principles is available

here: http://ow.ly/L4Tnp

QUALIFICATIONS Fully-certified as described in "RIDE requirements" by August 30, 2015 or willingness to become fully certified including

on an emergency basis if necessary (fully-certified strongly preferred).

Must demonstrate flexibility, a student-centered perspective, and the ability to cope with change quickly as the school

constantly innovates and changes in order to improve.

Applicants should be hard workers dedicated to youth growth and development, maintain a willingness to embrace and

initiate constant learning, and demonstrate an all hands on deck attitude to do whatever it takes to accelerate student

achievement regardless of role.

Belief that all students can succeed and be willing to provide a personalized learning experience that cultivates

students growth mindset.

Highly motivated to practice effective collaboration skills with diverse groups.

Ability to be a warm, caring team player.

Ability to quickly synthesize student learning data to continuously adjust instruction for students.

Experience in successfully facilitating positive youth development or integration of social-emotional learning in a

secondary setting.

Comfortable working in innovative setting, willing to test new ideas and adapt well to change.

Ability to use technology in creative ways and willing to take initiative to adapt technology to promote student learning

in innovative ways.

Specific technical skills, such as:

Familiarity with communication, presentation, and data management tools and applications in desktop, web-based,

and mobile environments

o Willingness and ability to model information, communication, technology, and media literacy for students,

colleagues, parents, and community

o Willingness and ability to continuously learn, develop and evolve new skills and support colleagues in the

development of their skills in all Microsoft Office applications and relevant web applications (e.g., Google

Chrome, Internet Explorer, Outlook, Google Apps, Skyward, and online curricula/software)

o Communicating student achievement data with students, parents, and families through an online platform.

Bilingual Spanish preferred.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Must uploaded in PATS profile (see: http://www.providenceschools.org/pages/ProvidenceSchools/Teachers/ApplyForJobs)

Resume

Cover letter that includes acknowledgment of the candidates commitment to the conditions of the position and a

detailed description of how the candidate meets the job qualifications

Completed Hiring Exercise

Responsibilities The OBD High School housed at Hope High School will open in the 2015-2016 school year welcoming an inaugural 9

th grade

class and continue to grow by one grade level each year. The founding team will build on the work developed by community,

educator and student members of the initial design team to drive the direction for a small, innovative high school with high

expectations for collaboration, academic work, inclusiveness, and civic involvement.

To jumpstart the schools inaugural year, all faculty will attend a 15 day summer planning institute (includes a grant honoraria or

$3500). This institute will offer an essential opportunity for staff to be involved in pioneering the schools culture and

instructional program. One week of training will take place in late June or mid-August (each faculty member will select optimal

week).

Because roles in small, innovative schools are complex and require tremendous individual and collective effort, applicants must

demonstrate experience and/or willingness to commit to the schools mission and become involved in these essential aspects:

Serve as an advisor to a group of students, including maintaining ongoing communication with parents/guardians and

supporting students with goal-setting around academic, social and emotional achievement and growth that are aligned

with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).

Use data to group students daily based on learning needs to deliver 1:1 and small group instruction.

Design courses and learning content that include online, in-person and interdisciplinary components.

Facilitate independent learning by students through use of online, mastery-based learning programs.

Collaborate with all Learning Facilitators to ensure that students IEP goals are met/exceeded.

Select appropriate instructional programs and methodologies, plan, and implement instruction that matches students

IEP goals and objectives.

Provide appropriate instruction to address IEP goals and objectives, and differentiate instructional accordingly.

Maintain and use adaptive equipment and materials.

Assess the progress of all students assigned to caseload and maintain record of data collection.

Write reports based on evaluations and present reports at Team eligibility determination meetings.

Participate in team evaluation and review meetings for students on caseload.

Collaborate to write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Work within the confines of the OBD housed at Hope High School Professional Development calendar (see link:

http://ow.ly/LGHgZ).

Promote opportunities for student contribution to the schools ongoing improvement and design evolution.

Use standards-based grading to diagnose, assess and track student mastery.

Design courses and learning content that include online, in-person and interdisciplinary components that are grounded

in the standards (CCSS, NGSS, etc.).

Regularly use data to create individualized student learning pathways and differentiate instruction by developing,

selecting and modifying instructional plans and materials to meet the needs of all students.

Promote/develop school-family and school-community partnerships in support of student learning.

Work carefully and thoughtfully to prepare students for transitions into high school and past graduation (college and

career).

Integrate school theme(s) into your content area and work across content areas.

Instruct students in academic subject matter as well as social, emotional, and behavioral skill areas.

Create a safe and supportive learning environment with routines and structures that align with schools values and

promote a school atmosphere and environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social, and emotional

development of all students.

Monitor and evaluate student outcomes maintaining appropriate records and following all required procedures and

practices, and use that data to guide instructional planning.

Supervise students in a range of settings; protect and promote the safety and well-being of students, colleagues,

equipment, materials and facilities.

Communicate and interact effectively, appropriately and professionally with students, colleagues, parents and the

community.

Continuously develop and improve teaching practice and support colleagues in their development.

Support the Principal, building leadership team, and district leadership team.

Additionally, school faculty shall participate in:

at least two hours a week of posted office hours for students (scheduled at faculty convenience within a range of

options)

at least 15 hours of personalized professional development during the school year

student-led conferences with each student and his/her family during at least 2 out of 3 of trimesters

student exhibitions of learning during at least 1 out of 3 trimesters

weekly or biweekly individual meeting with school leader(s) for developmental coaching sessions based on weekly

informal observations

the development of course syllabi to be shared with students and families and individual/small group lesson plans

based on students needs and interests weekly school-wide and departmental Common Planning Time meetings with school leader and colleagues

Highly encouraged activities include:

participation and/or supervision of special events, including athletic programs, dances, family nights, open houses,

student recruitment meetings, etc.

at least one Saturday 3-hour tutoring session per trimester

at least one in-house school committees and/or special programs

weekly 30 minute faculty meeting (to be scheduled based on faculty vote)