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

JORGE O. ELORZA

Mayor
SUSAN F. LUSI, PH.D
Superintendent

Secondary Special Education Generalist

Opportunity by Design (OBD) High School housed at Hope HS Posting

DESCRIPTION
CBH (Phase IV) 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. 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

th

The OBD High School housed at Hope High School will open in the 2015-2016 school year welcoming an inaugural 9 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 launch, all faculty will attend a 15 day summer planning institute (grant stipend). 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 calendar (see attached calendar).
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)