Grade 7 Personalized Learning Lab (Math), Collins Middle School, Salem Public Schools, Salem, M[...]

Job Description Grade 7 Personalized Learning Lab (Math), Collins Middle School, Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2026-2027] Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students in 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. Learn more about our strategic plan and core priorities on our website at Reimagining Middle School The vision for a middle school graduate, developed in partnership with students, families, and educators in 2023, states: "Powered by relationships, trust, and a sense of belonging, students will develop their identity, skills, and mindsets that empower them to navigate their learning, chart their course, and engage with their community to reach their academic and life potential." To bring this vision to life, the middle schools have committed to reimagining the student experience, including designing, piloting, and scaling innovative work in partnership with our students, families, and educators. The goal is to create relevant learning experiences that connect middle schoolers to the community, empower them to be independent learners, and offer appropriate challenges and supports. Design Studio : A hands‑on learning block engaging students in solving complex challenges through collaboration and creativity. Projects build life‑skills such as communication, teamwork, creative problem‑solving, and responding to feedback. Learning Immersions : Students leave the walls of school to learn. Field immersions broaden understanding of learning and emphasize academic and social‑emotional goals. Learner Profiles & MyCAP : Supports students’ understanding of themselves, their interests, and how they learn. Learner profiles help build habits and skills that integrate MyCAP, a student‑centered, holistic, multi‑year planning tool. Personalized Learning Empowering students to be independent learners is a key goal across Salem Public Schools and a critical pillar within the reimagined middle school experience. In SY2025-26 we seek to take this work to the next level across all grade levels. The role of the personalized learning lab instructor is to co‑design and lead instruction that integrates these elements into the middle school experience. Literacy Lab : Students dive deeper into writing and reading, with units that complement core instruction. Literacy lab meets daily in 6th grade and every other day in 7th. Math Lab : Uses adaptive technology to support personalized, just‑in‑time intervention or acceleration. Lessons meet every other day in 6th & 7th grade. Personalized Learning Lab : In 8th grade, blends Literacy Lab and Math Lab into one block. Students work across both subjects to identify and track progress toward their goals. Core Responsibilities Culture & Community Launch, establish, and maintain a co‑constructed culture of joy, mutual respect, and empowerment for students. Co‑create, internalize, and build student understanding of a shared vision, values, and language for middle school. Take seriously responsibility for the safety and well‑being of students. Serve as advisors and community builders with the grade‑level team. Communicate proactively and regularly with families and caregivers. Personalized Instruction Design and implement learning experiences that are engaging, flexible, rigorous, and personalized, using data and multiple modalities. Employ curricular and data tools such as STAR assessments, My Perspectives, Odell, Desmos, Eureka, ZEARN, ALEKS Math, and more. Integrate social‑emotional lessons, routines, and systems to empower students to own their learning. Collaborate with team members to flexibly meet learning needs. Collaboration with Team & Partners Collaborate with peers and coaches to complement core curricula. Participate actively in team meetings, professional learning and coaching sessions. Own iteration and creation of personalized learning classes. Define and pursue professional growth goals in alignment with the vision. Seek, provide, and implement feedback from colleagues, students, parents, and partners. Collect and use holistic data to assess progress and inform instruction. Work collaboratively with community partners to support learning during field immersions. Collaborate and share learning across SPS and beyond. Who you are Excited by flexible, creative spaces that question traditional assumptions and eager to try new approaches. Has a record of building a strong culture of learning with adolescents. Viewself as a design partner with students, families, partners, and colleagues. Willing to take educational risks using technology and student interests. Learns new ideas, welcomes and implements feedback, and engages in professional learning. Has a demonstrated capacity to build strong relationships with students. Holds high expectations for learning and believes in every student’s potential. Comfortable with ambiguity, experimenting, iterating, and re‑thinking. Capable of collaborating closely with colleagues to develop empowering learning experiences. Passionate about delivering relevant instruction with demonstrated results. Strong time management and executive functioning skills, with keen attention to detail. What You'll Bring Hold a deep commitment to students and families : Embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all community members. Hold high expectations : Model values and continuously improve. Build authentic, caring relationships : Collaborate across students, families, and colleagues. Interest in connecting learning to real‑world experiences : Partner with external organizations to build integrated learning. Embrace feedback and teach students to reflect, grow, and persist. What We'll Provide Personalized Learning Teachers participate in paid summer professional learning (up to ~35 hours for a stipend of $1,575). Additional professional development and support are available through district and school‑based coaches. Job Requirements Bachelor's Degree Required; Master’s Degree preferred. Required Massachusetts teaching certification for middle school grades. Dual certification (ESL or Special Education) a plus. SEI endorsement required within 1 year of start. Experience leading long‑duration project‑based learning preferred. Experience differentiating instruction for all students. Experience using technology in learning, leading design studios, maker spaces, or labs preferred. Ability to meet Massachusetts Standards and Indicators of Effective Teaching Practice. Maintain professional competence through in‑service and self‑selected growth activities. Minimum of 2 years teaching experience in an urban public or charter setting preferred. Proven track record of raising student achievement in an urban or turnaround environment desired. Second language proficiency (Spanish and/or Portuguese) a plus; multilingual candidates encouraged. Current authorization to work in the United States. Work Year Teachers work a 185‑day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days). View the 2026‑27 district and school calendars for details. Salary Teacher salaries are determined by the Salem Teachers Union collective bargaining agreement (2024‑2027). Salary information can be found in Appendix A. Benefits The City of Salem offers Group Insurance Commission benefits to all full‑time employees. See the provided link for more information. Equal Opportunity Employer Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, housing status, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or disability. The district also prohibits retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or participate in an equal opportunity investigation. #J-18808-Ljbffr TrulyHired