PK-12 Director of Learning Support

Description

The Director of Learning Support leads and oversees comprehensive learning support services across divisions, while maintaining an active role working directly with students. This position requires a visionary leader with strong communication skills who can effectively engage with families, students, faculty, and administrators. The ideal candidate will lead the team of specialists in learning, reading, literacy, and math, implementing research-based practices while ensuring consistent, high-quality support services across all grade levels.

Essential Functions

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and implement a comprehensive vision for the learning support program across all divisions
• Serve on the LifeReady and Administrative teams
• Stay current with educational research and best practices in learning support, special education, and differentiated instruction
• Analyze student performance data to inform program decisions and resource allocation
• Program Management & Systems
• Create and maintain unified systems for documentation, reporting, and student support
• Establish standardized processes for student referral, assessment, and support implementation
• Design and implement consistent practices and policies across divisions
• Maintain accurate records and data management systems
• Manage department budgets and resources effectively
• Staff Leadership & Development
• Supervise learning support staff across all divisions, including specialists in learning, reading, literacy, and math
• Assess and determine staffing needs
• Coordinate professional development opportunities for learning support staff
• Foster a collaborative culture among learning support staff, classroom teachers, and administrators
• Communication & Collaboration
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, faculty, and administration
• Lead regular cross-divisional meetings to ensure consistency in practice and communication
• Coordinate with Director of Counseling Services and Division Heads
• Facilitate communication between learning support team and classroom teachers
• Student Support
• Provide direct academic coaching to students with learning plans, teaching strategies for academic success
• Monitor student progress through regular individual meetings, adjusting accommodations across subject areas as needed
• Foster student self-advocacy and independence in implementing learning plans
• Maintain detailed, confidential documentation of all student support and interventions

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree, with strong preference for Master’s Degree, in Special Education, Educational Leadership, or related field.

Additional Experience

• Advanced knowledge of current research and best practices in learning support
• Demonstrated experience with data-driven decision making
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a leadership or supervisory role
• Minimum of 8 years experience in learning support or related field
• Proficiency in educational technology and learning management systems
• Strong background in differentiated instruction and various learning support methodologies

Additional Requirements

• Able to uphold confidentiality standards for student information and records
• Able to work independently and collaboratively and possess a sense of knowing when to involve others in decision making
• Budget management experience
• Creative problem-solving abilities
• Demonstrated success in building collaborative relationships
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Exhibits professional standards of presentation, punctuality, professional courtesy, and discretion
• Expertise in analyzing and interpreting educational data
• Initiative-taker and self-starter
• Must be able to comply with background checks, including fingerprints, as required by the agency and / or state regulations
• Must be adaptable, flexible, empathetic and patient
• Must be committed to professional growth and learning
• Must have a collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• Must possess personal qualifications such as flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that do not interfere with responsibilities
• Must uphold the mission and philosophy of McDonogh School and demonstrate the School's core character values
• Proven ability to lead and inspire teams
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Visionary and strategic thinker

Working Conditions

Capability to work directly with students in various learning environments. Lifting and carrying of equipment is not typical but may be required on rare occasions. Lifting up to 25 pounds. Other working conditions include climbing stairs, walking around campus, sitting, standing, and significant computer use including extensive close use of a computer monitor. Reaching, grasping. Some evening and weekend work required for parent and/or student meetings and school events.