Employer: Concordia International School Shanghai
Location: Shanghai, China
Position Title: Director of Student Support Services
Division: Teaching and Learning
Supervisor: Assistant Head of School – Teaching and Learning
Position Summary: The Director of Student Support Services at Concordia International School Shanghai will be a dynamic leader in the field of education, responsible for guiding all aspects of student support services, including English Language Learner (ELL) programs, Learning Support (LS) programs, and preschool through 12th-grade counseling. This leadership role requires a strong background in supporting a wide range of learners with language and/or learning differences. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for child safeguarding and must be aligned with the mission and vision of the school. This position also involves developing and coordinating professional learning opportunities for faculty and staff to enhance their ability to support diverse learners effectively.
Requirements:
Education
- Master’s degree or higher in education, Special Education, Counseling, Linguistics, School Psychology, or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years in educational settings as a teacher or administrator, with at least 3 years focused on multilingual learning, learning support, or counseling.
- Proven track record in leading a student support team and providing effective professional development.
- Evidence of successfully implementing complex change initiatives in a large organization.
- Evidence of successfully implementing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support.
- International school experience at a like size school or larger is preferred.
Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of instructional methodologies, ELL practices, learning support strategies, and P-12 counseling techniques.
- Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to create team cohesion aligned to a vision
- Ability to analyze data and make data-informed decisions.
- Knowledge of U.S. systems, structures, and documentation related to education and student support.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Cultural competence
Concordia Fit:
Spiritual Leader
- Demonstrates moral integrity, honesty, kindness, faithfulness
- Models a Christian faith walk
- Models servant leadership characteristics
- Is collegial and contributing member of the school wide community
Mission Centered-Vision Focused
- Takes personal ownership in fulfilling the mission
- Can “see” the future and articulate, plan, and execute next steps
- Demonstrates a positive, optimistic, can-do attitude
- Demonstrates a passion for teacher and student success
Instructional Leader
- Leads curriculum based on the most recent understanding about learning
- Ability to develop, implement, and monitor curriculum and learner progress
- Is a leader of learning
- Promotes professional development focused on improving student achievement
Team Focused
- Respectful of all, builds people up, is equitable in relationships
- Is transparent, flexible, and adaptable
- Demonstrates commitment to school improvement
- Works collaboratively with all in the school and community
- Advocates and nurtures a positive school culture conducive to student learning and teacher growth
Management Competence
- Manages resources to provide a productive environment for learning
- Demonstrates ability see the big picture and to break large tasks into small, achievable components
- Clearly communicates, both orally and in written form, to a diverse group of cultures and in diverse settings
- Demonstrates proficiency in required technology
- Desire and ability to design, create and present professional development opportunities to the staff.
- Desire and ability to organize projects, build coalitions, and move projects forward.
- Be considered by colleagues as the go-to person for questions related to assigned areas.
- A passion for education and a commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment.
- Must be a Christian who demonstrates Christian values in all interactions within the school community.
- Ability to work collaboratively with varied stakeholders in a diverse school environment.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Leadership and Guidance
- Co-supervise and co-evaluate with the division principals the student support services team, which includes ELL Specialists, LS Specialists, and Counselors.
- Coordinate and align student support services, Preschool through 12th grade, ensuring a cohesive approach to student support. This includes schoolwide programming for social-emotional learning.
Professional Learning
- Design, facilitate, and evaluate professional development programs that focus on effective strategies for supporting students with learning needs, as well as those with social-emotional and behavioral needs.
- In addition, collaborate closely with the admissions team to ensure a seamless integration of these support strategies for new students, including multilanguage learners, fostering a welcoming environment that addresses their unique needs from the moment they join the school community.
Team Development and Collaboration
- Foster a collaborative environment within the student support services team.
- The Director will participate in student meetings as needed but will primarily function as a consult student support services team.
- This position will be a strong partner with the Admissions and Enrollment Office.
Research and Best Practices
- Stay informed about the latest research and trends in ELL education, student support services, and counseling.
- Integrate this knowledge into program development and professional development offerings.
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Collect and analyze data related to student progress and program effectiveness, using findings to inform decision-making.
- Prepare reports for the Head of School and the Board on the status and impact of student support services programming.
Advocacy and Awareness
- Advocate for the needs of students with diverse needs, ensuring their voices are represented in school initiatives.
- Promote awareness of students with divers needs within the school community.
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More Information
- Address Shanghai, China