Job Title: Director of Student Support
Reports to: Head of School
Wage/Hour Status: Salary, year-round position Date revised:June 2025
The Director of Student Support (DSS) coordinates academic and behavioral support for students at WMS. The DSS provides opportunities for learning in accordance with Montessori philosophy and guidelines provided by the HOS. The DSS supports teachers as they provide differentiated instruction with an emphasis on remediation. The DSS works with parents and teachers to coordinate referrals for student intervention as needed. The DSS works in cooperation with the child’s teachers to coordinate the work of independent specialists working with the child. The DSS monitors student progress through observations, meetings with parents and teachers, reviewing formal evaluations, and developing individual support plans. The DSS is responsible for monitoring all students receiving interventions from the toddler program through the 6th level. The DSS is also a representative and advocate for the child and Montessori education to parents and the community. Should communicate clearly concerning issues that are in the best interests of the child and in keeping with Montessori philosophy.
Qualifications:
Minimum Education/Certification:
- Bachelor's Degree required: Elementary Education, Special Education or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Montessori Inclusion Endorsement preferred
- Pediatric First Aid/CPR - training provided
Special Knowledge/Skills:
- Is aware of the stages of development of children.
- Demonstrated proficiency in working effectively and positively with a variety of people.
- Ability to creatively solve problems and situations.
- Ability to effectively communicate in all situations, including written reports.
- Ability to counsel children and parents
- Ability to organize materials, coordinate plans with administrators, and other teachers
- Ability to organize, coordinate, and monitor multiple activities at a time
- Computer skills, Google suite.
Minimum Experience:
Five years of experience in teaching or working with children.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
- Repetitive motion of the wrists, hands, and fingers due to using a computer
- Close visual acuity required for viewing computer monitor and reading
- Working at a desk and computer screen for extended periods of time
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds
- Ability to think clearly and act respectfully with children and their parents.
- High physical stamina is necessary. Must be able to sit on the floor, walk on field trips, and stay on feet if necessary, most of the day.
Environment:
Working in a classroom and office environment while working daily with students, parents, faculty, administration, volunteers, and visitors to WMS.
Terms of Employment:
Number of Days for Position: Year-round position. 12 months, August - July.
Salary: as determined by the HOS using a scale competitive with area schools based on job qualifications, length of service, and performance.
PTO: as determined by the HOS.
Professionalism and Ethics:
- Is familiar with and works within the policies and procedures established by the school.
- Is supportive and positive in relationships with teaching colleagues and other members of the staff.
- Is able to speak in a professional manner concerning colleagues in conversations with parents, friends, education professionals, and members of the community.
- Maintains confidentiality in matters concerning other staff, parents, and children.
- Maintains professional relationships with parents. Is able to separate professional matters from personal relationships with parents.
- Is able to communicate successfully regarding Montessori philosophy and school policies with parents.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Encourage families to be actively involved in their education and provide resources.
- Work in cooperation with the child’s teachers to identify students who need support in all programs at WMS.
- Be available for student observations at the request of the teachers
- Assist the teachers, AHOS, and HOS with student discipline issues and behavioral plans.
- Works with teachers to develop behavioral, academic, and student support plans.
- Support classroom, specials, and literacy teachers with referrals for evaluations: child find, speech therapy, etc.
- Look for signs of growth and then work with teachers to adjust individual support plans when the child is ready.
- Collaborate with teachers to coordinate the work of independent dyslexia specialists and other professionals working with the child, and monitor student progress.
- Attend parent-teacher conferences and meetings with professionals as needed.
- Coordinate ASQ for the toddler and early childhood program.
- Serve as a representative and advocate for the child and Montessori education to parents and the community.
- Communicate clearly concerning issues that are in the best interests of the child and in keeping with Montessori philosophy.
- Support students, parents, and teachers year-round, including during the summer session.
Other duties and responsibilities
- Supports HOS by being a designated person in charge and opening/closing the school as assigned
- Arrives on time and leaves according to the agreed time as stated in the contract.
- Attends faculty and team meetings.
- Attends school events such as Parent Orientation, Parent Education Nights, Open House, End-of-School picnic, etc. Is willing and enthusiastic about leading/teaching in these events if needed.
- Supplies the office with behavior and accident reports immediately following an accident.
- Encourage families to be actively involved in their education and provide resources.
- Updates Community Services Form for WMS