Randolph

Profile:
Student Enrollment: 3,000
Staff Employment: 650
Approximate number of teachers hired annually: 30
Approximate number of paraprofessionals hired annually: 25
Accessible via public transportation: Randolph can be accessed through the Middleboro Commuter Rail Line at South Station with a stop at the Holbrook/Randolph Rail Station. There are also multiple MBTA buses/ bus stops that make Randolph accessible from Boston and the surrounding areas.

Contact:
Alpha Sanford
Director of Special Education and Student Services

Randolph is one of the most diverse communities in the state of Massachusetts resting about 10 miles south of the city of Boston. Our diverse population of 3,000 students represents 45 different countries, speaking 40 different languages and dialects including Haitian-Creole, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Russian to name a few. We have four k-5 elementary schools, one 6-8 middle school, and one 9-12 high school with an enrollment of approximately 3000 students. As a whole, our students’ growth on the MCAS outpaced the State this year with some tremendous growth and their performance on Advanced Placement exams continues to be a point of pride. We use NWEA as a student assessment measure and TeachPoint for Educator Evaluation.

Q. What is it like to teach in Randolph?
Randolph Public Schools (RPS) recognizes and values the role of all employees as contributors to a learning community that sets high standards of performance for staff and students. We focus on continuous improvement through effective communication and meaningful involvement in the decision-making process. We are committed to providing high-quality education to every student. We are committed to shared responsibility and a collaborative partnership, integrated into an organizational culture of respect. This culture is built on the belief that all employees, both school-based and non-school based, are essential to a successful learning environment. We must sustain an organizational culture of respect by having all employees possess an awareness, understanding and acceptance of others’ cultures, viewpoints, interests and backgrounds. This culture promotes a positive work environment that supports the success of each employee and high student achievement.

Q. What kind of support does Randolph offer new teachers?
All educators new to the district will be assigned a mentor for the first year of employment with the district. Additionally, the program will continue during the educator’s second year. This program assists new educators in learning about the district by attending an orientation program. Prior to the start of the school year, the educator will meet with their mentors, building principals, the Randolph Education Association and Central Office personnel.  Mentors and new employees meet on an ongoing basis throughout the year. These meetings include items from monthly action logs, observations, and any other support necessary. There are seven district wide new employee induction program meetings scheduled throughout the year.

Q. What general attributes does Randolph seek in new teachers?

• All teachers facilitate student success by implementing district approved curriculum, common core standards, documenting teaching and student progress/activities/outcomes, addressing specific needs of students and by providing a safe and optimal learning environment. Our teachers provide feedback to students, parents and administration regarding student progress, expectations and goals.
•  The ideal candidate will: Collaborate with school personnel, parents and various community agencies for the purpose of improving the quality of student outcomes, developing solutions and planning curriculum, and create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the maturity and interests of students.
• All candidates should be able to promote equity and appreciation of diversity, promote high standards and expectations for student achievement, and plan and deliver effective instruction.
• All candidates should also be able to effectively develop lesson plans and instructional materials and provide differentiated instruction that allows all students to access the curriculum by using a variety of instruction strategies, such as inquiry, group discussion, lecture, and discovery.

Q. How does Randolph demonstrate that it is committed to teacher diversity?
The Town of Randolph has established the “Town of Randolph, Affirmative Action Guidelines”. Specifically, this document states that ” [t]he appointing authority shall issue a firm statement of personal commitment to affirmative action and to the provisions of equal employment to all employees and applicants in all phases of employment. ” In compliance with these Guidelines, the Randolph School Committee outlines its aggressive action plan concerning compliance with Chapter 622 of the Acts of 1971, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Title IX Regulations as promulgated by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare regarding the recruitment and employment of minority candidates in all positions. Affirmative action requires the (employer) to do more than ensure employment neutrality with regard to race, color, religion, sex, national original (ancestry, age, physical disability, criminal record or mental disorder). As the phrase implies, affirmative action requires the employer to make additional efforts to recruit, employ and promote qualified members of groups formerly excluded, even if that exclusion cannot be traced to particular discriminatory actions on the part of the employer. The premise of the affirmative action concepts is that unless positive action is undertaken to overcome discrimination, a benign neutrality in employment practices will tend to perpetuate the status quo ante indefinitely.

Q. Any tips for teachers who are interested in applying to Randolph?
Showcase your experiences working in a multi-cultural/diverse setting.