Student Support Director
About the Employer
Director of Student Support Services
Reporting to the Superintendent or Designee and serving as an integral member of the HPS Academics Team, Holyoke Equity and Anti-Racism Team (HEART), and Central Office Leadership Team, the Director of Social Emotional Learning, in collaboration with other Academic Directors, will provide students with targeted and integrated social emotional learning opportunities across all schools. The Director of Student Support Services will lead students' SSS growth including but not limited to SSS curriculum, embedded SSS instruction, SSS assessment and tiered SSS supports across the district. This position will collaborate with all school counselors, student support room staff, the HPS Social Work Internship Program, City Connects Coordinators, and School Climate Staff. The Director of Student Support Services will collaborate with the Director of Student Support to fully develop and implement the MTSS Plan for HPS.
Ideal Candidate
A leader with a strong passion to develop equitable, system-wide structures that honor and support student and educator relationships. Having an educational and clinical background would be a benefit. Diverse candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, and bilingual candidates are preferred.
Priority 1: High Quality Instruction for All Students
• Lead the development of Student Support Services and Positive Behavioral Support components of the district's MTSS Plan
• Collaborate with Academic Directors to explicitly integrate and track HPS competencies into PD and Coaching
• Provide guidance and monitoring of behavioral and SSS tiered implementation in schools aligned to MTSS Plan
Priority 2: Structures for Instructional Improvement
• Implement & oversee initial SSS Universal Assessment (administration and data management)
• Integrate SSS Data Cycles at classroom, grade-level & school-wide levels
• Oversee Professional Learning and Support regarding SSS
• Design and facilitate ongoing Professional Development for District Staff
Priority 3: Culture and Climate
• Oversee the development and implementation of a strategic district commitment to becoming a Trauma-Sensitive District
Priority 4: Leadership Development and Collaboration
• Develop and implement Differentiated SSS Technical Assistance Model for ILTS
Priority 5: Organizational Structure
• Establish HPS' SSS Department
• Assess the impact of existing investments in programs and practices that aim to build students' SEL skills in HPS Competencies
• Work toward greater alignment of HPS SSS Approach within After-School Programs and In-School Enrichment
Experience, Skills, Traits, and Beliefs
• A commitment to high performance standards and unwavering belief that all students can excel
• Alignment with the HPS Core Values including a deep commitment to equity and anti-racism
• A Master's degree in Social Work or Psychology preferred
• 5-8 years leadership experience in urban educational or clinical system with a focus on social, emotional, and behavioral supports
• Demonstrated knowledge of SSS competencies
• Classroom teaching or school-based management experience highly preferred
• Knowledge of current research and best practice in SSS and School Climate
• Willingness to develop expertise in guiding the analysis of data and data-based inquiry to ensure improvement in professional practice.
• Experience using data to drive critical conversations and continuous improvement among peer and non-peer colleague groups
• Experience providing consultation and technical assistance to peer and non-peer audiences
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with diverse groups of professionals across multiple departments and organizations to achieve unified, consistent practices
• Experience coordinating and delivering Professional Development for a variety of internal and external stakeholders
• Supervisory & Program Development experience
• Advanced understanding of the impact of trauma on learning and behavior
• Skilled multi-tasker and excellent time manager; ability to effectively achieve multiple goals and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Passion and urgency for the critical role of SSS in improving the lives of students and families in Holyoke
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a track record of working collaboratively with staff at all levels to build consensus while also delivering exceptional results
• Outstanding critical thinking skills
• Ability to work in a diverse urban context
Compensation and Benefits
• Compensation is competitive compensation for the region and district size.
Required License
• Supervisor/Director - School Counselor Director, all levels