Speech and Language Pathologist, Salem Public Schools SY2024-2025

About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.

Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history.  Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students across our 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. Over the next three years (2023-2026), we are committed to the work outlined by the four core priorities in our strategic plan: 1) Elevate Learning; 2) Empower Educators; 3) Center Belonging; and 4) Strengthen Our Foundation. 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. Applicants who have experience working in urban schools and settings and are bilingual are strongly encouraged to apply.

What You’ll Do:

As a collaborative member of the Special Education team and in accordance with the policies and procedures of Salem Public Schools, the Speech and Language Pathologist conducts comprehensive evaluations and provides direct service to identified students in their classrooms and in a small group or individual settings outside of the classroom. The Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) delivers a variety of targeted intervention and instruction designed to develop receptive and expressive language skills, improve oral-motor control for speech production, vocalization, and facilitate the use of assistive technology devices for communication. The SLP develops IEP goals, objectives, and language-based accommodations and shares information with families during IEP meetings.  The SLP works as part of the Special Education team, providing modeling and consultation to classroom staff, and participating as a member of their assigned school’s Student Support Team. This specialist is responsible for maintaining required documentation to track services and to meet requirements for Medicaid reimbursement.

Role Responsibilities:

• Provide direct and consultation services, using both push-in and pull-out models
• Conduct a variety of standardized and informal assessments, as appropriate
• Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and treatment plans that address speech, language and communication skill development
• Use district software to create Individual Education Programs (IEPs).
• Develop and maintain a consistent schedule that supports the implementation of students’ IEPs and/or documented treatment plans
• Prepare therapy materials such as visual boards, word walls, communication boards, and/or equipment for use in therapy activities
• Adapt or modify instructional materials and/or equipment as determined by student needs and abilities
• Work in collaboration with the multidisciplinary educational team and general education classroom teaches.
• Complete required paperwork and job-related functions in a timely manner and in compliance with special education regulations and district policies
• Gather, collate, and/or classify data; generate reports and present findings at meetings, as appropriate
• Utilize a variety of job-related assistive technology
• Routinely attend district and SLP job-alike meetings, school-wide meetings, trainings, and professional development
• Other duties as assigned by the Special Education Administrator, building Principal or Executive Director of Pupil Personnel Services  

What You’ll Bring:

We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children’s lives through education. You’ll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level.  We expect our SPS employees to:

• Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work.
• Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues – You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values and seeking opportunities to continuously improve.
• Build authentic, caring relationships with colleagues, students, and families – You build strong relationships across students, families, and colleagues that are collaborative in nature and contribute to the individual and collective success of SPS. You partner with families and colleagues to make decisions in the best interest of students and learning.
• Embrace feedback – You are a reflective practitioner who learns from mistakes and challenges and uses them as opportunities for professional development. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree (Required); Master’s Degree (Preferred)
• Required Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure 
• Experience with delivering school-based services to school-aged students, K-12
• Possess effective written and oral communication skills
• Second language (Spanish and/or Portuguese) proficiency a plus
• Bilingual candidates and candidates of color strongly encouraged to apply
• Current authorization to work in the United States

The Speech and Language Pathologist is considered a district-wide staff member and assignments are made on a yearly basis, depending upon the current caseload.   

This position is a school-year position. 

Contact Information:        

Jennifer Doucette-Ly, Executive Director of Special Education                                 

Salem Public Schools                                    

29 Highland Avenue

Salem, MA  01970

Phone: 978-740-1249

Fax: 978-740-1137 

Work Year: Teachers in Salem Public Schools work a 185 day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days. Please visit www.salemk12.org to view the 2024-25 district and/or school calendar.

Salary: Teacher salaries in the Salem Public Schools are determined by the Salem Teachers Union collective bargaining agreement. Salary information can be found in Appendix A. 

Benefits: The City of Salem offers Group Insurance Commission (GIC) benefits to all full-time employees. Click here for more information about our health benefits.

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, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.