New York, New York
Columbus, Ohio
Northbrook, Illinois
Rye, New York
Posted: 13-Feb-26
Location: Watertown, Connecticut
Type: Full Time
Categories:
The Taft School seeks a full-time Director for its Moorhead Academic Center (MAC) for an August 2026 start date. This is an excellent opportunity to educate students from across the country and around the world and to work with a collaborative faculty in a supportive professional environment.
The Director of the Moorhead Academic Center is a visionary leader responsible for the strategic direction, daily operations, and holistic integration of student support services at Taft. This role is central to Taft’s mission, ensuring that every student has the tools to embody the Portrait of a Learner. The Learning Specialist role works collaboratively with faculty and students to support our students’ diverse learning needs. They partner with all parties, including teachers, advisors, deans, parents, students, and external support systems. In alignment with Taft’s Learning Principles, the Director fosters an environment where learning is relational, purposeful, and inclusive, serving as a primary advocate for neurodiversity and equitable access within our community.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Team Supervision
- Oversee a team of 3 colleagues, fostering a culture of professional growth, clear communication, and collaboration.
- Provide high-level guidance to specialists in managing complex student cases and designing evidence-based interventions.
- Serve as a member of the Educational Policies Committee (Department Chairs) and the Faculty & Academics Team to ensure student support remains at the forefront of school policy, as well as weekly grade-level student support meetings and quarterly grade-level roundtable discussions.
- Effectively delegate tasks and manage the MAC’s physical and digital resources to maximize student impact.
- Collaborate with the MAC team to host presentations and workshops for students on executive functioning skills and coordinate the peer tutor program.
- Oversee the Moorhead Academic Center's spending and budget
Strategic Policy & Program Development
- Review and interpret psychoeducational evaluations to develop formal accommodation plans and implement learning support policies that mirror Taft’s commitment to academic excellence and the Portrait of a Learner.
- Remain at the forefront of educational research to respond to emerging trends in academic support, neurodiversity, and adolescent development.
- Ensure all accommodation policies meet legal standards and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Student Support & Interventions
- Provide one-on-one support in academic skills, study strategies, and executive functioning.
- Oversee the development of accurate, data-driven accommodation plans that empower students to take agency over their learning.
- Partner closely with the Health Center and Counseling Department to integrate mental health and wellness into academic frameworks.
- Lead the process for educational evaluations and external referrals, ensuring a seamless support loop between students, families, faculty, and learning specialists. ‘
- Manage the submission of documentation for standardized testing accommodations.
- Support the faculty and students through exams -- ensuring a fair, compliant environment for all learners.
- Consult and collaborate with teachers, advisors, and class deans to understand students' academic, organizational, and accommodation needs.
Onboarding of new students
- Design and manage the onboarding experience for students requiring support services.
- Collaborate with families and school personnel to support student achievement, facilitate effective communication, and promote shared responsibility for student growth and well-being.
- Oversee academic resource services for new and returning students, including review of psychoeducational evaluations and participation in admissions events, and consultations
Faculty Responsibilities Include:
- Attend weekly faculty and department meetings; student round table meetings; and other meetings as may be required by the head of school, assistant head of school for faculty and academics, dean of faculty, department head, or other senior administrator.
- Participate fully in faculty life at a residential boarding school. Faculty responsibilities include advising, evening and weekend duty, seated dinners, and one afternoon assignments.
- Serve as an advisor to a group of students, meet regularly with student advisees, and write individualized advisor letters at the end of each semester;
- Responsible for the care and well-being of students in a residential boarding school. Provide a safe and secure experience for all students.
Qualifications:
- A deep commitment to the tenets described in Taft’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Portrait of a Learner.
- An advanced degree in Special Education, School Psychology, Educational Psychology, Educational Specialist (Ed.S.), or a related field, with significant experience in a residential or rigorous academic setting.
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience in learning support, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Proven ability to work across departments to ensure a holistic student experience.
- Deep knowledge of learning differences in adolescents and evidence-based interventions and demonstrated expertise in assessment interpretation and accommodation plan development
- Strong understanding of ADA, Section 504, and their application in independent school settings.
- Experience with assistive technology and instructional strategies for diverse learners.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, administrators, parents, and students to support and expand programmatic and institutional goals.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Commitment to professional growth and staying current in the field.
- Knowledge of college accommodations processes.
- Experience with data-based decision-making and program evaluation.
- Familiarity with executive function coaching and strategy instruction.
- Authorized to work in the United States of America.
Portrait of an Educator Alignment:
- Strive for Wisdom – Continuously seek feedback, reflection, and collaboration to deepen their knowledge and enhance practice.
- Find Joy in Purpose – Draw inspiration from meaningful connections with students, colleagues, and the school’s mission.
- Nurture Relationships – Foster empathy, inclusion, and a sense of belonging through authentic, caring relationships.
- Build Resilience – Approach challenges with adaptability, creativity, and balance between personal and professional well-being.
- Practice Humility – Embrace feedback, acknowledge limitations, and view learning as a lifelong process.
- Pursue Excellence – Nurture all dimensions of human flourishing by upholding high standards, seeking out and providing mentorship, and
- striving for improvement.
- Live with Honor – Act with integrity, accountability, and a commitment to the community’s shared values.
Position Details
This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position that includes either campus housing or a housing stipend and use of school facilities, including the grounds, athletics center, and dining hall (position-specific and subject to availability). The Director of the Moorhead Academic Center reports to the Assistant Head of School for Faculty and Academics.
The Taft School is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of The Taft School to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to age, gender, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, actual or perceived disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran's status, genetic predisposition or any other class protected by law.