Director of Learning Support

Mission: Drew knows and believes in teenagers. We engage each student in a process of intellectual discovery to develop an individual voice, the confidence to express it, and the empathy to understand its impact.

Founded in 1908, Drew School is an independent, urban high school in San Francisco enrolling 300 students in grades 9 through 12. Our school community is centered on experienced, dedicated, and passionate faculty, and engaged, committed students. Drew combines its curriculum with a focus on experiential learning, global awareness, local community involvement, citizenship, and support of individual talents and strengths. More information about Drew is available on our website: www.drewschool.org.

Position Title: Director of Learning Support

Reports to: Assistant Head for Academics

Exempt, Full Time, In-Person

Salary range: $110,000 – $140,000

 

General Summary 

The Director of Learning Support is a pivotal leadership role responsible for directing and managing Drew’s Herbst Learning Center (HLC). The HLC encompasses the Office of Learning Support, the onsite Tutoring Center, and the Testing Center, which provides learning services, academic and tutoring support, accommodations for extended time, make-up testing, and standardized testing with special accommodations. The Director will oversee a dedicated team, including a full-time Learning Specialist and Tutoring Center Coordinator, and tutors, and will play a critical role in shaping the strategic direction of learning support services to enhance student outcomes and foster an inclusive educational environment at Drew.

The ultimate goal of the HLC is to improve learning outcomes in the classroom, to enhance neurodiverse student engagement and emotional regulation in the classroom and to give Drew students the tools to be confident, self-reflective, active participants in their own learning. Providing students with tools to enhance their learning and creating environments designed for success and belonging, the HLC and an informed community promote the goal of graduating confident, independent, and resilient learners.

 

Major Responsibilities 

The Director of the HLC provides strategic vision and leadership for all aspects of the Learning Center. Responsibilities to include:

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic vision for the Herbst Learning Center, aligning with the school’s overall mission and goals.
• Lead and inspire the HLC team to deliver high-quality learning support services, ensuring the center remains at the forefront of educational best practices and innovations.
• Serve as a key member of the school’s Program Administrator Team, contributing to strategic planning and decision-making processes across the institution.

 

Policy

• Work collaboratively with the Student Support Team and the Assistant Head for Academics to review, evaluate and make recommendations for changes in HLC practices, learning plans and programming.
• Serve on Drew School’s Academic Council, which includes all department chairs and key administrators who have responsibilities within the realm of academics.
• Spearhead changes in policy to improve academic accessibility and performance.
• Direct accessibility support at Drew.
• Develop policies for reading, writing and executive function support for students of the HLC.

 

Learning Plans

• Work with incoming families to understand and document diagnosed learning disabilities/ADHD/other health impairments.
• Understand each student’s needs, meet with parents/guardians and students to ascertain the student’s Learning Profile and to prepare a student Learning Plan.
• Communicate with student’s teachers important information/concerns regarding a student’s Learning Profile/Learning Needs.

 

Supervision

• The Learning Center Director will provide effective supervision and mentorship for the Learning Specialist and the Tutoring Center Coordinator.
• Develop an on-boarding and mentorship process for supervised roles.
• Conduct weekly 1:1 meetings with supervised HLC staff.

 

Student Support 

• Attend weekly Student Support Meetings and engage in required follow up action.
• Develop and monitor Student Support Plans to maximize Student engagement and success in academics.
• Manage a caseload of students who have Learning Plans. This may include liaising with students, faculty, families, and the Student Support Team in support of student learning.

 

Research and Continuing Education 

• Work collaboratively with members of Drew faculty and staff to provide programming for the Drew community with the goal of keeping Drew at the forefront of education, including for high school students with learning differences.
• Provide professional development focused on neurodiversity and learning support for faculty/staff at regular intervals during the school year.
• Provide parent education at regular intervals during the school year.
• Provide periodic updates to the Drew community that focus on the Herbst Learning Center program.
• Stay current on research and information related to the latest trends/concerns in education and student development/wellness.

 

Admissions and College Counseling Support 

• Provide learning support consultations for prospective incoming families.
• Participate in the Admissions process through Admissions programming, including Open Houses, and Admissions Committee discussions regarding prospective Drew students.
• Manage and maintain all accessibility protocols at Drew.
• Manage accommodations for PSAT.
• Stay abreast of developments in learning services options at colleges and universities.
• Advise families regarding the best colleges/universities for accessibility resources and support services.

 

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Advanced degree in Education.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in educational leadership, with a strong focus on learning support or special education.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing strategic initiatives in an educational setting.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to build positive relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff.
• Commitment to promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Drew offers a supportive working environment; a competitive salary; 4 weeks paid vacation in addition to a generous number of school and federal holidays per year; a complete health benefits package, including 100% employer paid health coverage for the employee’s base plan and 40% employer paid coverage for dependents in the base plan; and a 403(b) retirement savings plan with matching contributions of up to 6% of employee’s salary.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter telling us about yourself and why you are interested in this position.

Drew School is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to creating an identity-safe school, where all members of the community find opportunities for belonging and growth. We strongly encourage candidates of color to apply.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY Drew School of San Francisco admits students of every race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or handicap to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs, athletic and other school administered programs.

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