Managing Director of Scholar Support

Gestalt Community Schools embraces the notion that all staff members are Known, Valued, and Accountable (K.V.A.) and that all scholars are Known, Loved, and Educated (K.L.E.). Accordingly, our staff examine how their personal experiences and biases impact their ability to serve all scholars and stakeholders within our Network effectively. Our staff understand their role as a change agent to create equitable outcomes for our marginalized scholars and families.

Overview:

Gestalt Community Schools seeks a dynamic and innovative professional to step into the pivotal position of Managing Director of Scholar Support. In this critical role, the successful candidate will collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer, district-level special education and ESL staff, and school leaders, championing the diverse needs of our learners. The Managing Director will spearhead initiatives to ensure equitable access to tailored support and will actively provide direct support and constructive feedback to all instructional and administrative staff, guiding the development and implementation of the network-wide academic strategy and related programs.

The Managing Director leads and supervises team members and delivers instructional support throughout the organization. A central focus of this role is the implementation of strategic initiatives crafted to enhance academic and support services for our diverse student body. Moreover, the Managing Director will play a crucial role in coordinating support to schools, fostering innovation, and reshaping the learning landscape to meet the unique needs of every scholar. We seek a visionary leader who will significantly contribute to our commitment to excellence in education and the success of each individual within our community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Managing Director of Scholar Support is entrusted with the crucial responsibility of overseeing all special education and ESL working groups, spanning the Network Level (CMO), Schools and Settings, Behavioral Services, Related Services, and Programming. Furthermore, the Managing Director will be accountable for key areas:

• Supervise the provision of effective and equitable K-12 classroom/instructional support and special education-related services, ensuring alignment with Individualized Education Program (IEP) processes and ESL Programs.
• Direct the development and implementation of policies, programs, and services for students with disabilities and multi-language learners, ensuring compliance with federal and/or state regulations.
• Harness the strengths and skills of individuals supporting diverse learners, building capacity within the team to enhance support for students and schools.
• Provide and coordinate professional development in promising practices, standards-based curriculum, district-wide initiatives, and pedagogy methods for school leaders, teachers, and staff.
• Utilize data analysis to inform service and policy decisions.
• Collaborate with legal counsel on litigation matters, navigating disputes with agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
• Manage fiscal resources from district funds and special education grants, overseeing budgets, spending, and fiscal efficiency in delivering required services.
• Oversee proportional share, private school/homeschool/service plan responsibilities, and related fiscal/compliance obligations.
• Cultivate community partnerships that support and enhance GCS's work with the students served.
• Represent Special Education and English as a Second Language Programs at professional development opportunities and conferences.
• Provide support for diverse learners and departments through effective communication and problem-solving with parents and staff.
• Lead executive vision for summer programming and support for diverse learners.
• Offer strategic support for special programming priorities across the network.
• Serve on network-level committees supporting CMO initiatives.
• Collaborate with other departments to support diverse learners.
• Establish and support continuous improvement cycles for special education and ESL programs and procedures.
• Directly supervise and support a team of district-level staff members dedicated to diverse programming.
• Create and refine systems supporting students, families, and staff.
• Engage in instructional leadership learning walks.
• Manage the facilitation, data collection, and analysis of the mid-year and end-of-year academic program review that promoting student success.
• Assist in setting student attainment goals in alignment with state and federal guidelines.
• Plan, design, and manage instructional alignment work across the network through tri-annual network-wide teacher observations.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare and present quality professional development
• Applies critical thinking skills adeptly when formulating solutions to diverse issues.
• Demonstrates a high level of attention to detail, managing a wide range of particulars with urgency and precision.
• Displays a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Willingly approaches and resolves problems independently in an ever-evolving landscape.
• Manages competing priorities with grace and remains composed in stressful situations.
• Showcases robust organizational skills, efficiently handling competing priorities in time-sensitive and high-stress situations.
• Proficient in the knowledge and use of technical computer applications, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and virtual platforms

• 7+ years of leadership experience working with students in an educational setting showcasing adept supervision of special education programs, related services, and ESL programming.
• 5+ years teaching experience in various settings or grades.
• School leadership and/or significant instructional coaching and team leadership experience with proven results serving diverse learners
• Experience as a leader in education operations and management, ideally in public K-12 and/or Charter Management Organization (CMO) environments
• Instructional expertise and experience improving outcomes of exceptional learners, especially students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and students who are gifted; has successfully led the development and direction setting of an exceptional student education program for teachers and staff.
• Instructional expertise, knowledge, and experience implementing language acquisition programs and support for multilingual learners preferred.
• Special Education Licensure is required; ESL Licensure is optional.
• Experience in and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion work

EDUCATION:

• An imperative requirement is the possession of a Master’s degree in Special Education, TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), Psychology, or a closely related field.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE:

• Prospective candidates must currently hold a Certification in Educational Leadership or an equivalent certification that grants supervisory or administrative responsibilities over special education.
• In addition, candidates are required to demonstrate at least 5 years of successful administrative experience within a school, school district, or a related educational setting, showcasing adept supervision of special education programs, related services, and ESL programming.

Gestalt Community Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities and equal education opportunities for employees and students as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, management and administration reserve the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.