Woburn

Woburn Public School district has a new leadership team dedicated to making our schools the very best academic communities of learning. Our Superintendent, two new Assistant Superintendents, and Curriculum Coordinators recently rolled out our new *Strategic Plan during our fall orientation, which represents our blueprint for our student’s success. Our leadership team and amazing staff of educators are devoted to carrying out our mission:

“The Woburn Public Schools, in cooperation with the community, families and students will provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment where all students will be provided the educational opportunity to achieve at high levels in order that they will learn both the academic and social skills necessary to be successful in higher education, career and community.”

Overarching Goals:

• To develop, implement and assess curriculum and instruction.
• To establish a professional development model that provides in-service training.
• To support the effective integration of technology through our curriculum and management practices.
• To provide a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment for all students
• To strengthen family and community participation in meeting our educational goals.
• To assess and plan for school facility improvement in order to support the implementation of our educational goals.

Q: What’s Woburn like to work and/or live in?
Woburn is located approximately ten miles north of Boston, close to Winchester, Burlington, Lexington, and Wilmington. Woburn is 12.9 square miles, with a population of approximately thirty-eight thousand people. Our  school system consists of one private pre-school and ten public schools: one high school, two middle schools and seven elementary schools. There are numerous athletic fields, a community ice rink, a nine hole public golf course and Library Park recreation field. The jewel of the city is the spectacular area of Horn Pond, where legend has bestowed the names of Lake Innitou and Mount Towanda to the area. This region has a peaceful pond, hiking and walking trails and a mountain view of the city of Boston. If you happen to experience the beautiful sunsets at the pond, you will understand why we call Woburn our home.

Woburn has several historical landmarks that are valuable windows into the past. The Woburn Public Library is a National Historic Landmark designed by architect Henry H. Richardson. The Count Rumford House was the childhood home of Benjamin Thompson, soldier, inventor, statesman, scientist and physicist. The Middlesex Canal, which operated between Charlestown and Lowell from 1805 to 1856, was an engineering feat of its time and provided transportation before the railroad. Woburn was also home to Charles Goodyear, who discovered the vulcanization process for rubber. The Baldwin Mansion is the site where the Baldwin Apple was developed, and the 1790 House is a colonial inn and tavern that was a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Q: What type of support do you offer new teachers?

• Mentor Program: Every newly hired  teacher and specialist, (“proteges”) are carefully paired with a Mentor during their first year at Woburn Public Schools.
• We also conduct an in-depth New Hire Orientation covering a vast range of topics covered by various leaders and administrators across the school district and city.
• Ongoing Teacher evaluation process.
• Curriculum Coordinators work with teachers and administrators to support teaching and learning. Elementary STEM Coaches provide all teachers with technical support as we work to roll out a new science program.

Q: What general attributes does Woburn seek in teachers?
We seek teachers who are, “hungry, humble, and smart”, as referred to in the book entitled, “The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni. This means that we’re seeking teachers who are always looking for more-to do and to learn, with a  desire to contribute to their students as well as the school, consistently reflecting on their own practice and working to improve for the benefit of all students. They are a member of a Team and see success in that team, not just for themselves. They use good judgement and understand how to work with a diverse group of individuals.

Q: How does Woburn demonstrate that it is committed to teacher diversity?
Woburn Public School District is a proud member of “The Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education.” We are constantly seeking ways to build our pipeline of candidates who are as diverse as our student population, for the best possible hire for our students. We are also developing a similar committee within our school district to carry out our diversity mission, while promoting cultural awareness of differences to better support our students and staff.

Q: Any tips for teachers who are interested in applying to your district?
Present your best self and let your personality shine through! Your passion for teaching and working with students from diverse backgrounds should be immediately apparent. Be prepared to explain why you’d like to work in our particular district, and in the field of education, in general.  Be as thorough as possible during the application process, including a cover letter that highlights your strengths and relevant experience with students. In advance, have at least 2 to 3 references available from Supervisors of practicums, teachers, and other professionals who are familiar with your work with children and/or adolescents, preferably in an academic setting. Have hard copies of all of your credentials, including: degree, DESE Teacher certification, and transcripts from any institutions of higher education.