We are pleased to share the news of two recent staff appointments.
Monique Osgood - Assistant Director of Special Education
Mrs. Osgood has over twenty-six years of education experience in Salem Public Schools. Recently, she held the position of special education administrator - team chairperson at the Carlton Innovation School and the Bates Elementary School (therapeutic support program). Monique held this role in various schools over the last seven years, prior to which she worked as a special education teacher at the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School for ten years. During the first six years there she taught the substantially separate classroom, which she helped to initiate, for students with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis. For the next four years, she supported special education students in first and second grade as a special education inclusion teacher. In her first nine years in the district, she served as a paraprofessional at the Early Childhood Center.
Mrs. Osgood earned a Masters in Education in Special Education and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in finance, both from Salem State University. Mrs. Osgood is a lifelong Salem resident and a graduate of Salem High School. Her husband and children are also graduates of the Salem Public Schools.
Laura Assade - Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Engagement
Laura joined our district in 2021 as the family engagement manager, previously having served as the constituent services director in the Mayor's office for the City of Salem, managing complex inquiries and supporting residents. Laura developed and implemented a civic engagement plan to boost Latino participation in city activities, municipal boards and public services.
Over the last two years she assumed responsibility for developing a progressive, culturally responsive family engagement strategy and goals for the Salem Public Schools, collaborating with stakeholders in our district, the city, and neighboring communities. Laura’s vast knowledge of the Salem community and years of experience engaging and mobilizing families has been pivotal in executing strategic work within the Salem Public Schools.
Laura has supported Superintendent Zrike's to connection with parents on complex student/family issues and worked in collaboration with the family engagement team, School Committee and executive team members to establish the superintendent's parent advisory council. Laura has conducted training for the family engagement team on efforts to support building leaders, coached them on how best to establish plans for every school year that align with school improvement and district improvement plans and has refined and implemented a districtwide student/family welcoming protocol. The family engagement team now have tools to collect data, have a clear understanding on their roles and how to serve all families in the district.
Laura holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in interdisciplinary studies and holds a certificate in translation & interpretation. Laura is also currently a fellow for DESE’s Influence 100 program which supports rising leaders of color in education.
