THE ROLE

Westwood Middle School seeks a middle school Director of Student Services at Thurston Middle School (TMS) to join our caring and innovative community for July 1, 2024. The middle school Student Services Director is a key member of the middle school administrative team who oversees all school-wide special education, assessment, and tutoring programs. In this capacity, you will conduct strategic assessments of student/family needs on an ongoing basis; develop, implement, and evaluate programs and services to meet those needs; hire, supervise, develop, and evaluate student services staff; develop and monitor budgets; and develop and maintain school-wide policies and procedures to comply with state and federal regulations. Our ideal candidate is an innovative, organized, collaborative problem-solver and a champion of inclusion. You will also work closely with the Principal, Assistant Principal and Dean of Students, and the Academic Council (the school’s instructional leadership team) to maintain a warm, welcoming school culture for the inclusion of all students, and to promote consistent high expectations for achievement and behavior. 

The TMS Student Services Director reports to the district Director of Student Services. This position starts on July 1, 2024, and oversees the middle school Extended School Year Program during the months of July and August.

OUR DISTRICT

Westwood is a welcoming suburban community with an exceptional track record of supporting and celebrating its public schools.  As a district, we are committed to creating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced, and we understand that a diverse team allows us to serve our community better. We welcome and encourage individuals of every race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, gender, marital/domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and veteran status to seek opportunities within our school district.

You will join the strong professional learning community of the Westwood Public Schools. In our mission to prepare students for college, career, and civic life, we work collaboratively to provide rich and rigorous curriculum, high-quality instruction, trusting relationships, and authentic educational experiences.  We hold true to our core district values of academic excellence and a commitment to improvement; curiosity and tenacity; and respectful relationships in a caring, collaborative community. 

Our School:

Thurston Middle School is a thriving community of hardworking and thoughtful students, families, and staff. With approximately 650 students in grades 6-8, the school maintains a small-school feel while offering a comprehensive array of academic programs, co-curricular activities, and support services.  Our educators model and encourage a deep investment in learning.  Learning experiences focus on preparing students with skills for academic and social success. 

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in relevant educational area
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator of Special Education
• SEI administrator endorsement preferred
• 5 years of experience in K-12 education required; some leadership experience within a high school preferred
• Thorough knowledge of current state and federal regulations and legal issues regarding students with disabilities
• Clear understanding and knowledge of disabilities and current practices/models for educational and clinical intervention; the ability to articulate a clear vision and plan for the effective implementation of that vision
• Ability to skillfully and thoughtfully handle a multitude of varying and complex issues with creativity and empathy
• Demonstrated commitment to celebrating diversity, pursuing equity, and promoting integration
• Familiarity with trauma-sensitive educational practices

RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Achievement: Diagnosis and Planning

• Provide effective leadership and vision in the area of special education and related support services
• Identify a range of appropriate data sources and effectively analyze the data for student-centered decision-making
• Coordinate the strategic assessment of school-wide special education needs on an ongoing basis and the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services to meet those needs
• Develop and implement an organizational structure, guidelines, and procedures for meeting all local, state, and federal regulations and reporting requirement

Student Achievement: Learning, Engagement, and Behavior

• Supervise the development of individual education programs for special needs students
• Continually monitor students’ progress, including overseeing screening and referral for evaluation and functioning of evaluation teams, and use it to meet the needs of individual students
• Monitor and consult with student support teams
• Cultivate authentic, supportive relationships with students
• Work with staff and families to create a collaborative, team-based approach to student support 
• Forge connections with students and families both in school and at co-curricular and community events

Supervision, Evaluation, and Professional Development

• Recruit, hire, develop, supervise, evaluate, and retain diverse and talented members of the Student Services department
• Coach educators in the development of growth plans that promote professional growth and student learning
• Assist department members in the handling of day-to-day problems of instructions and guidance, and act as a resource for them
• Make frequent classroom visits and engage in post-observation conversations that encourage educator reflection and continuous improvement
• Monitor and provide appropriate consultation services for the department
• Work with school leaders to design professional development sessions that support students’ academic, social and emotional growth and development

Priority Management and Operations

• Oversee the administration of Extended School year, tutorial programs, and other school projects skillfully and efficiently
• Manage the registration, placement, and orientation programs that facilitate the smooth transition for students entering the high school
• Prioritize tasks and forge and support effective teams; create ownership through delegation and participation at all levels
• Communicate effectively, honestly, and transparently with all constituencies, including staff, parents, and community members
• Maintain the student records in an organized, accurate, and timely fashion and in accordance with student and parental rights under law
• In cooperation with the district Director of Student Services and the Principal, develop and manage the middle school Student Services budget, including all special education grants
• Assume other responsibilities assigned by the district Director of Student Services and building Principal

QUALITIES

• Committed to inclusive educational practices
• Innovative approach to programming and resources
• Demonstrates sensitivity to the needs of students and their families
• Exhibits equilibrium when dealing with urgent or emotional situations
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Uses good judgment

JOB ENVIRONMENT 

Work takes place in a fast-­paced office environment within a large school building, primarily indoors. May be required to juggle tasks and will face interruptions as a matter of course. Training in crisis prevention and intervention is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Requires sitting, standing, walking, carrying and lifting up to 30 lbs
• Some travel, particularly within district, required

The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.

Please apply directly through School Spring. Any duplication of this posting is not authorized.