ABOUT GANN

Gann Academy is a pluralistic Jewish high school that challenges students to cultivate their talents and interests in all areas of human potential: intellectual, artistic, spiritual, and physical. Our faculty, composed of Jewish and non-Jewish educators, facilitates students' journeys. We seek teachers committed to collaborating and growing in their teaching practice; supporting diverse learners in the classroom; and connecting with students outside the classroom, both formally and informally.

Gann Academy is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe that including diverse perspectives will improve our work, as well as societal and learning outcomes. All employees participate in this commitment, whether internally by building a welcoming workplace culture and/or externally by ensuring inclusive engagement with families and other community members.

Perhaps most of all, Gann offers a community of intelligent, collaborative, and compassionate professionals who care about their work, school, and colleagues. We help one another learn, solve problems, and have fun.

SUMMARY

As a member of the Student Experience Team, the Interim Learning Center Director is a school leader who oversees the vision, systems, and day-to-day work of Gann Academy’s Learning Center over a two-year period. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School for Student Experience, this person supervises Learning Center faculty, partners closely with academic and student support leaders, and helps ensure that students receive appropriate accommodation, learning support, and differentiated instruction across the school.  The Director also plays a key role in admissions, family communication, and the continued development of systems, policies, and practices that support student learning.

This is an interim 12-month position ending in June of 2028. Successful candidates who are interested will be encouraged to apply for a permanent position. This role follows normal school hours with occasional evening and weekend hours.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Leadership, School Representation, and Admissions

• Work with the Head of School and Assistant Head of School to articulate and communicate the vision and priorities of the Learning Center
• Serve as the primary representative of the Learning Center to prospective families, current families, students, colleagues, external clinicians, and community support organizations.
• Represent Gann with warmth, responsiveness, empathy, and sound judgment in conversations about learning support, helping families understand both the support the school offers and the scope of what the school can realistically provide
• Work closely with the Director of Admissions and serve on the Admissions Decision Committee to help determine whether Gann can appropriately support prospective students
• Review psychoeducational evaluations and related documentation in order to assess student support needs and advise on admissions decisions
• Serve on the Instructional Leadership Team as an advocate for Learning Center students and as a thought partner on inclusive teaching, differentiation, and student support.
• Assess the needs of the broader academic program, in conjunction with the Instructional Leadership Team, and help develop long-term priorities for professional development and training

   Program Oversight and Student Support Systems

• Oversee the development, implementation, and communication of Student Learning Plans, ensuring that students, families, and teachers have timely access to relevant information.
• Ensure that Learning Plan meetings take place with students, families, faculty, and staff as appropriate.
• Oversee the development and implementation of testing and accommodation policies aligned with the school’s mission and educational philosophy
• Develop and maintain systems for documenting and retaining records related to student testing, standardized testing accommodation, and Student Learning Plans

 Direct Instruction and Student Support

• Teach at least one Learning Center class each semester
• Provide direct academic support to students as needed in alignment with the goals of the Learning Center
• Use classroom teaching to stay connected to student needs and to inform the leadership of the department 

   Department Supervision

• Supervise Learning Center teachers and support their growth through regular meetings, coaching, and frequent written and verbal feedback
• Observe teachers formally and informally, set clear expectations, and address performance concerns in a timely, thoughtful, and well-documented manner.
• Lead department improvement and change management efforts, including strengthening systems, clarifying expectations, and supporting greater consistency and accountability across the team
• Lead weekly department meetings and help maintain a collaborative, accountable, and student-centered team culture
• Ensure that Learning Center faculty have the resources, guidance, and support needed to do their work effectively
• Manage staffing for Learning Center teachers and serve as a substitute when needed

   Community Involvement and Engagement

• Serve as a student advisor as part of Gann’s advisory program
• Attend and participate in communal programs outside the classroom, including assemblies, community blocks, guest speakers, and other special programs during school hours
• Attend and participate in open houses, graduation, admissions events, development events, and other school programs that may take place in the evenings or on weekends
• Perform other duties as assigned

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must be proficient in English to carry out work as assigned

SUPERVISORY EXPERIENCE

   Proficient level highly desired

COMPETENCIES and SKILLS

• Deep expertise in special education, including experience supporting students directly and leading or managing adults
• Strong understanding of neuropsychological testing and the ability to read and interpret private evaluations, 504 plans, and IEP documents
• Demonstrated management experience, including supervising, coaching, and evaluating a team
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, strengthen team performance, and manage accountability with clarity, professionalism, and strong documentation.
• Ability to coach adults effectively, including giving direct feedback, navigating resistance, and following through on performance concerns
• Ability to build trust with families and represent the school with professionalism, empathy, responsiveness, and good judgment
• Ability to navigate difficult conversations with parents, colleagues, and direct reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
• Flexible, collaborative, and solutions-oriented
• Bachelor's degree minimum

About Gann Academy

Gann Academy is a pluralistic Jewish day school that challenges students to cultivate their talents and interests in all areas of human potential: intellectual, artistic, spiritual, and physical. Our faculty made up of both Jewish and non-Jewish educators facilitate the student journey. We seek teachers who are committed to collaborating and growing in their teaching practice; supporting diverse learners in the classroom; and connecting with students outside the classroom, both formally and informally. In growing our department, we are particularly interested in expanding the diversity of voices in our literature faculty. We are also interested in candidates who can help the department envision opportunities for collaboration across the humanities.  BENEFITS Gann Academy is an independent high school in Waltham, MA that offers a competitive, and comprehensive benefits package featuring generous paid time off policies – paid vacation, paid sick days, and roughly 20 additional paid days off - based on the Jewish calendar. It is truly a unique and generous benefits package offered only at Gann! Employer match Retirement (403B), and Health and Dental insurance, are just a few of t...he benefits offered to eligible employees upon day one of joining the Gann community. Hungry? Gann has a full-service kosher dairy dining hall complete with a fresh salad bar and hot bar. Gann offers an attractive physical environment with bright spaces, FREE parking, and extensive fitness facilities available for our faculty and staff. Gann celebrates a community of smart, collaborative, and compassionate professionals; Gann staff/faculty tout the support and teamwork of their colleagues as a highlight of their Gann experience and one in which Gann is different from any other school or community. Come find out for yourself!

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Connections working at Gann Academy