The Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP) was created to accelerate student achievement in the City of Springfield’s most underperforming schools, schools where frequently the most complex and the most vulnerable student populations lie. The core partners behind SEZP – the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Springfield Public Schools and the Springfield Education Association – envisioned that the autonomous conditions in SEZP could help usher in innovative and substantive solutions to the perennial challenges that these school face. As a “zone” of 17 schools serving 5300 students, SEZP’s approach draws on a deep and embedded partnership with the school district and local teachers’ union, harnesses the flexibility and innovation of autonomous school models, and offers customized support as a non-profit school improvement partner. ​ SEZP schools operate under independent contracts with both the school district and teachers’ union, and are governed by a non-profit board of directors made up of the Mayor, Superintendent, and local school committee designee, as well as four additional representatives - appointed by the Massachusetts Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education - who either live in the region or have close ties to the city. In all of its work, SEZP is in pursuit of equity and anti-racism – acknowledging the systemic oppression our students and families encounter daily and working to disrupt these provision gaps urgently and courageously.

The SEZP has positions open in all areas of teaching, support services, and leadership. However, the SEZP is currently offering significant relocation bonuses and/or signing bonuses for bilingual educators (fluent in Spanish and English), dual language educators, and mathematics educators. Candidate qualifications include the following: -Experience effectively leading, teaching, or supporting students required -Experience monitoring and evaluating progress and response to interventions/services for students with disabilities, emerging bilinguals, and students with significant provision gaps preferred -Appropriate educator license from current/previous state of employment, or licensure eligibility in MA preferred -Experience as an active anti-racist or advocate for equity preferred -Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred -Bachelor’s degree required

Bilingual educators, dual language teachers, and mathematics educators are eligible for sizable relocation stipends to support moving and travel expenses. All candidates for these positions are also eligible for a signing bonus to acknowledge our commitment to educators in these high needs areas. SEZP educators enjoy a highly competitive compensation package ranging from $53,500 to $150,000 with several opportunities for additional stipends for employment at Empowerment Academies, extended year academies that support our scholars during February and April vacation weeks, Saturdays, and summer. SEZP provides a robust internal pipeline for leadership development to assist current and aspiring leaders in pursuit of licensure and embedded leadership experiences. Finally, all SEZP educators are able to join our Activist Collective, a grassroots coalition of SEZP leaders and teachers focused on developing anti-racist practices, policies, and communities while dismantling the institutionalized barriers to equity.