FTE: Full-Time, Regular, Academic Year + three weeks (week before opening meetings, week after closing meetings, and flex week during summer)
University Prep is seeking a talented, engaging, and compassionate Director of Integrated Learning. Our staff and faculty share our belief that a culturally rich and inclusive school community provides students with the best possible environment for a quality education. We need a leader who thrives on working independently as well as part of a team. If that sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.
Who We Are:
University Prep (UPrep) is a 6-12 independent school in northeast Seattle, WA, one of the country’s most dynamic cities. We offer an intellectually rich education that fosters deep inquiry and critical thinking that is powered by student engagement. Our students graduate prepared for college and life. UPrep is a strong and vibrant community of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni that joins together to support our students in becoming caring and productive adults. UPrep is a place where all students and families have equitable access to all the school has to offer, and we aspire for all community members to feel like they belong. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are embodied in all facets of our school culture. We believe that our shared values of integrity, respect, and responsibility are essential to accomplish our mission to develop each student’s potential to become an intellectually courageous, socially responsible citizen of the world.
Job Summary:
Under minimal supervision, oversees the entire 6-12 program that serves all students who need specialized assistance to flourish in the school’s academic program.
Specific Responsibilities:
Director Duties
Oversees the development and high quality delivery of instructional strategies, advocacy, and support for more than 20% of the student body with a variety of learning needs
Oversees and evaluates staff of five including two Learning Pathways Teachers, two Learning specialists and a Learning and Testing Specialist
Reviews all student diagnostic information, partners with families, students and teachers on access to accommodations, drafts and revises all Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs)
Supervises annual review of Middle School and Upper School Integrated Learning Plans with students and families
Supervises case management of upper school grades
Oversees the Learning Pathways program and its two teachers to ensure that Orton-Gillingham curriculum or other integrated learning curricula are well executed, personalized and effective
Leads faculty professional development for teaching students with preferences for learning
Facilitates adoption of universal classroom design to support all learners
Acts as a resource for teachers and administrators in the identification of students who may require instructional strategies
Oversees the design and use of systems to track students with preferences for learning and studies the aggregate data generated for each student to evaluate program effectiveness
In collaboration with others, monitors and recommends program improvements over time
Collaborates with administrative leadership to determine the long-range strategy for the integrated learning program
Member of Instructional Leadership Team and attends weekly meetings
Intentionally communicates critical information to parents about student needs and responds to their inquiries; leads parent education program through the Parent Education program of the Parent Council
Actively networks with other organizations, specifically the NWAIS Learning Specialists consortium and Coaching roundtable, to share our program goals, learn from other programs, and stay current in the field
Coordinates with the division directors, counselors and directors of student services, instructional coach, library, and academic technology to ensure coordination of academic support services to students
Creates, maintains and updates external and internal marketing and documents regarding Integrated Learning
Coordinates with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Social Emotional Learning (DEISEL) on the schoolwide experience with educational equity. Actively participates in DEISEL conversations and trainings to grow in line with the commitment to educational equity for all students.
Integrated Learning Duties
Oversees staff progress
Designs academic plans and programs of study for students requiring instructional strategies
Tracks progress and inclusion of those students and assessing their changing needs by frequent classroom visits not only to assess over time the appropriate delivery of instructional strategies, but more broadly, to understand fully the faculty's scope of instructional styles and capabilities
Provides continual feedback to faculty about the classroom observations, with suggestions and guidance about the ways they can better support students with preferences for learning in day-to-day work in the classroom and with homework
Educates teachers about implementing instructional strategies and acts as a resource for teachers and administrators in the identification of students who may require instructional strategies
Acts as a resource for teachers and administrators in the implementation of ADA accommodations and coordinates the delivery of those accommodations
Oversees the creation and maintenance of complete and current files on students requiring instructional strategies, in accordance with state and federal legislation
During the Admission process, reviews files of students with diagnosed learning needs and those with potential learning difficulties; in consultation with the Director of Admission, communicates with families of applicants regarding Integrated Learning services at University Prep; orients reading teams about interpreting files for students with preferences for learning, hosts parent information sessions, sits on all admissions teams
In collaboration and consultation with Student Services members:
Refers families to tutors as appropriate; maintains database of active tutors
Refers families to evaluation
Communicates with parents and teachers regarding their children relative to identification, instructional strategies and assessment
Works with families and new schools/colleges for students leaving/graduating from University Prep to assure continuity of care
General Duties
Establishes and cultivates community relations by maintaining open dialogue with all of the schools constituencies
Actively participates in the full life of the school
Vigorously engages in their own professional development; is a life-long learner who enhances their skills, using state-of-the-art technologies to maintain high standards of performance to efficiently and effectively produce work products
Is familiar with and complies with all policies and regulations as put forth in the school’s documents
Since safety and security are everyone’s responsibility, takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, faculty, staff, equipment, materials and facilities
Performs other duties as assigned
Required Education & Experience:
Master’s degree in Learning Support, Special Education or a related field required
3+ years experience in school environment required
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of learning theory, brain science, and adolescent development
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong attention to detail
Ability to work and communicate well with all levels of faculty and staff
Ability to work and communicate well with students and their parents
Ability to maintain confidential information
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Flexibility, maturity, and a sense of humor
Proficient at working in a Microsoft Windows environment, using Office, including Outlook; ability to master common automated systems for record keeping, and confidently learn new technology; experience with school-focused technology is a plus
Ability to talk on the phone
Ability to sit and keyboard up to 8 hours per day
Compensation & Benefits:
Salary is $91,000-$112,000 based on education and years of experience. UPrep offers a comprehensive and generous benefits package intended to support and promote the health and well-being, work/life balance, and financial security of our faculty, staff, and their families. Benefits are listed on our careers page and include: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Employer-Seeded Health Savings Account or Health Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Employer-Paid Life Insurance, Voluntary Life Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with employer contribution and match after one year of service, Paid Time Off, Paid Parental Leave after one year of service, and Professional Development opportunities.
Click on Apply Now, complete our online employment application, and upload your résumé and a cover letter telling us why you are interested in and qualified for this position.
Position open until filled. No phone calls or drop-ins please.
University Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, disability, use of a trained service animal, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to admissions and administration of all its programs, as well as to all areas of employment.
