MY
WHY
Natick Public Schools
13 East Central Street, Natick, MA 01760
DISTRICT PROFILE
Student Enrollment
5394
Approx. Number of Staff
1250
Approx. Number of Teachers Hired Each Year
20-60
Approx. Number of Paraprofessionals/Aides Hired Each Year
20-40
Public Transportation
Yes. The MBTA Framingham/Worcester commuter line has two stops in Natick at West Natick and Natick Center. We are working with Metrowest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) and Catch Connect to add shuttle stops at the NPS schools from the Commuter Train Stations that will offer an inexpensive way to get to/from the train station that has trains from Boston through Worcester. Stay tuned!
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What is it like to teach at Natick Public Schools?
Natick was established as a Praying Town in 1651, but humans have lived on the land for thousands of years before the European Age of Exploration. In the 18th-century, English people colonized Natick and the town was swept up by the American Revolution. When the railroad came to Natick in 1834, the town changed from a small, rural village into a bustling industrial town. After 1945, Natick welcomed a housing boom and the development of new industries along route 9. Today, Natick is home to 36,000+ residents governed by a 180-member Representative Town Meeting which is a strong supporter of the public schools.
Natick is located 10 miles west of Boston. The town’s two commuter rail stations at Natick Center and West Natick provide easy access to/from Boston and Worcester. Proximity to the Mass Pike, Rt. 95, and Route 9 means that Natick is well-situated for commuting from a variety of areas.
Natick partners with many local and regional organizations who share our commitment to Social Justice:
LOCAL:
SPARK Kindnes
Natick is United
Equity and Expectations
REGIONAL:
Anti-Defamation League Facing History and Ourselves
Primary Source
What kind of support does Natick Public Schools offer new teachers?
All new teachers are assigned to a mentor, typically someone in their school in the same grade/discipline.
Additionally, for two years there are monthly meetings for new teachers during which district and school-based staff provide professional development, support, connection, and problem-solving opportunities.
Additionally, for K-4, there are Math and Literacy Specialists who support teachers in those contents and Instructional Leaders at each grade level in Science and Social Studies who also lead the district-wide grade level meetings. In grades 5-8 there are Department Heads and Curriculum Leaders who support new teachers with the content. In Grades 9-12 there are Department Heads for every content who support new teachers with the curriculum.
In addition, all new teachers are required to take Studying the Skillful Teacher through RBT. This is offered on-site and paid for by the district. We also have an in-house graduate course that all new licensed staff are required to take called Teaching, Learning, and Innovation in the Natick Public Schools which provides coursework and presentations aligned to our Profile of a Natick Graduate and Profile of a Natick Educator. We also offer asynchronous courses at no cost for Master’s level teachers to take to move to Master’s +15. Natick Public Schools offer a generous tuition reimbursement package and also provide many district-sponsored, no-cost professional development opportunities. Our district offers many opportunities for staff to become team or curriculum leaders, to take on other leadership roles in the district, to intern as administrators, and to grow their professional practice and responsibilities.
Natick Public Schools have two Employee Resource Groups led by staff and supported by administration; one for our staff who identify as BIPOC and one for our staff who identify as LGBTQ+. We are creating an Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council to support the district’s strategic priorities and advise the superintendent on relevant NPS DEI issues and topics. The advisory will consist of a diverse group of members, ranging from district and building administrators, classroom educators and support staff across all levels from Pre-K through 12th grade.
How does Natick Public Schools demonstrate that it is commited to teacher diversity?
Natick Public Schools’ current strategic plan has identified a number of key areas for ongoing growth and improvement in our teacher diversification efforts. Our current initiatives include providing professional development for hiring managers and offering support and incentives for diverse candidates. We are also in the process of examining our policies, practices and procedures to ensure our hiring practices are inclusive and accessible to diverse candidates. We have applied for grants to assist in supporting retention through investing in mentorship programs, Employee Resource Groups, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Our commitment to teacher diversification extends beyond race and ethnicity and includes ability status and gender identity. Finally, we are in the process of launching a Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council with the sole purpose of leading and guiding the work of equity and social justice as well as responding when harm has been caused.