Working in DYS Education

Are you interested in making a profound difference for youth?

We believe everyone is a learner, and seek educators who value social justice and equity, compassion, patience, and flexibility.  If this describes you, we want you to join our amazing team of educators!

Home E Children/Youth/Families E DYS E Working in DYS Education

DYS Careers

We are a progressive and innovative non-profit organization dedicated to providing personalized and engaging education to youth placed in Department of Youth Services (DYS) programs across Massachusetts.

We hire licensed and aspiring educators who are passionate about making a difference through teaching. Our teachers get to focus on doing what they love to do–unlocking the potential of diverse, multi-grade level students who have complex learning profiles.

  • DYS classes are small and have a high teacher to student ratio
  • Teachers have flexibility in curriculum choices
  • We support teachers with robust professional development, especially with personalized learning and culturally responsive practices
  • We care deeply about the work and each other.

For more information about working for the DYS Initiative, please contact Rich Condon, Teacher Recruitment and Retention Coordinator for DYS: rcondon@collaborative.org.

map of Massachusetts delineating the regions served by the DYS program

DYS positions are based in various locations across the Commonwealth, and open position titles are labeled via region. Please refer to the map above to see the locations of the five DYS regions: Western, Central, Northeastern, Southeastern, and Metro.

Benefits of Working for the DYS Initiative

Professional Development

The program’s approach also focuses on clear goals for educator development and ways of measuring our progress, a strong supervision model, and extensive PD opportunities. We also work to provide significant technology support with Chromebooks; fast response tech support delivered statewide, and quick implementation on needed changes and enhancements.

• Mentor/mentee program
• New Teacher Induction program
• Instructional coaching
• Specialized and in-depth professional development

Program Highlights

  • Participation in the Massachusetts State Retirement System
  • Small Class Sizes
  • Competitive Salaries and Exceptional Benefits
  • Comprehensive Professional Development
  • Eligibility for Federal Loan Forgiveness
  • Professional Growth Opportunities
  • Supportive Supervisors

Pathway to and through Licensure

CES is excited to offer candidates for DYS educator positions the opportunity to enroll in the DYS Pathway To and Through Licensure (PttL) program. This program supports teachers currently working under waivers, Emergency licenses, and Provisional licenses to complete an Initial Teacher Licensure Program. 

It is rare to find a job where most of the staff are coming to work every day motivated by the opportunity to serve learners with the greatest need.

— CES Employee

DYS Education Initiative Stories

picture of a student in a graduation gown in a crowd of people

PBS News Hour: 6/29/2016

At a time when most states did not hold kids in lockup to the same educational standards of public schools, Massachusetts was reported on as a unique leader in our system for educating youth in the care of DYS.

image of a space suit in front of a projector screen in a classroom

BreakFree Unexplored Competition Win

Students from the Robert F Kennedy School in the DYS Northeast Region won first prize in the 2024 nationwide BreakFree Unexplored competition. The focus for this competition was Math and how it applies to the real world.

image of student, Mekhi, smiling at the camera.

DYS Partners with Berklee Online

Through a new initiative that has been years in the making, Berklee College of Music is offering music scholarships to DYS students. The program is allowing them to earn college credit by taking online music courses that are taught remotely by Berklee professors.

Who We Are 

We are dedicated and collaborative teams of educators committed to supporting teaching excellence through coaching, professional development, and excellent administrative support. We empower our educators and invest in professional development to help them grow as professionals. CES provides a robust benefits package and certified staff join the MA Teachers’ Retirement System.  

We value quality and excellence, innovation, creativity and vision, inclusiveness, equity and diversity, and collaboration with others. Creating a community of care is foundational to the work we do – together.

Social Justice and Equity 

This work is central to our mission, especially in these times. We understand that all forms of oppression are damaging. We engage in this work proactively and purposefully, with the intent of positive outcomes, and because we need to. 

Equal Opportunity

CES is an equal opportunity employer and is particularly interested in candidates from diverse backgrounds, especially candidates whose backgrounds are well-suited to understanding and addressing the needs of the diverse student populations we serve.

CES is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, CES will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@collaborative.org.

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