Director of Education

Summary: The Director of Education serves as the primary administrator for Hope Tree Academy and is responsible for leading a safe, supportive, mission-centered learning environment where students are seen, valued, challenged, and equipped for success. This role advances Hope Tree’s mission by ensuring that academic, emotional, behavioral, and physical needs are addressed through person-centered, trauma-informed, and relationship-based practices. The Director partners closely with Hope Tree leadership, Academy staff, families/guardians, local school divisions, and community stakeholders to strengthen student outcomes, support staff growth, steward resources responsibly, and position Hope Tree Academy as a trusted and preferred private day school in Virginia.

Experience &

Education:

This position requires no less than a Bachelor’s Degree in education from an accredited college or university. A current special education license to teach at the middle and secondary education levels with endorsements for and experience with working with learning disabled, emotionally and intellectually disabled and other “at‑risk” students is preferred. The Director of Education must be able to demonstrate the professional ability to deal effectively with a wide range of student dysfunctional behaviors and academic deficiencies, with students ages 12‑17.

The Director of Education must hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and a current Virginia Department of Education postgraduate professional license with an endorsement in Administration and Supervision or Special Education, in accordance with 8

VAC. The individual must have a minimum of three years of experience working with students with disabilities, with strongly preferred experience in alternative, special education, private day, or other non‑traditional school settings. The ideal candidate will bring 3–5 years of experience in an instructional leadership role such as principal or assistant principal and demonstrate the ability to effectively lead and develop administrative, instructional, and behavioral support teams.

This role requires strong communication, relationship‑building, problem‑solving, and supervisory skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with staff, families, referring school divisions, and regulatory bodies. The Director must be a mission‑aligned leader who maintains compliance, advances student outcomes, supports staff development, and fosters a safe, structured, and positive school culture aligned with Hope Tree’s values.

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

• Provide servant leadership that reflects Hope Tree’s mission and core values while creating a welcoming, respectful, and hopeful school culture focused on student growth, dignity, and success.
• Ensure staff are equipped, trained, coached, and supported to educate students effectively while maintaining a safe, structured, trauma‑informed, and relationship‑based school environment.
• Ensure a supportive, inclusive, and professional educational environment for middle and secondary students.
• Collaborate with teachers, families, students, clinical partners, and referring school divisions to provide individualized educational support that helps each student progress toward academic, behavioral, vocational, and personal goals.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and retention efforts for instructional, behavioral support, and administrative staff to build a strong, mission‑aligned team.
• Ensure students receive appropriate guidance, support, and referral to services that advance their academic, vocational, social‑emotional, and behavioral goals.
• Lead professional development and ongoing coaching for teachers and support staff, promoting continuous learning, excellence, accountability, and effective practice.
• Establish and monitor curriculum guidelines in collaboration with Academy leadership, teachers, and referring school divisions, ensuring instructional practices are aligned with student needs, regulatory requirements, and expected outcomes.
• Oversee budgeting, grant‑related activities, and resource allocation in a manner that…