Director of Education - Therapeutic Day School

Position Summary

The Director of Education provides programmatic operations and educational opportunities to all integrated sites of the Keshet Day School. The Director of Education/Principal is responsible for the operational success of Keshet, ensuring seamless team management, program delivery, and quality control and evaluation. The Director of Education/Principal is a key external face of Keshet in the community.

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision of the Therapeutic Day School program in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Illinois State Board of Education.
• Provide instructional mentoring and supervision to teachers, including instructional coaching, data collection and assessment, and behavior management.
• Act as the initial contact for the intake process and oversee all Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
• Coordinate with ESY staff for students attending our program.
• Oversee all transitional and mainstreaming activities in coordination with the principals of all cooperating public schools.
• Supervise the highly individualized special education curriculum and staff; coordinate all facets of the multi-disciplinary team approach.
• Maintain personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for the mission of Keshet.

• Recruit, hire, and oversee training, orientation, supervision, development, and performance review of all staff members.
• Cultivate relationships directly with parents, teachers, and staff on a daily basis.
• Develop and maintain positive and effective relations with local school districts.
• Report regularly on results achieved and district improvement plans.
• Ensure that all staff attend Professional Development meetings initiated by Keshet.
• Ensure that Keshet continues to execute Best Practices within the Programming Curriculum.

• Provide leadership in the planning, development, implementation, review, and evaluation of administrative procedures.
• Maintain structured teaching within all classrooms or search for best practices within the field of Special Education.
• Assist with all financial matters related to budget management, cost-benefit analysis, forecasting needs, and securing new funding.
• Implement the approved budget and supervise the preparation of all required reports and legal records.
• Develop and maintain a safe and attractive school environment.
• Oversee the development of curriculum and approval of textbooks.
• Develop school policies consistent with agency policies.
• Evaluate the program on a continuous basis.
• Successfully complete Safety Care Training and maintain certification.
• Effectively intervene in students’ disruptive behavior, both verbal and physical, including using TCI-prescribed methods to de‑escape critical situations.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Strong project management skills, managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.
• Experience in hiring, recruiting, managing, developing, coaching, and retaining individuals and teams, empowering them to elevate responsibilities, span‑of‑control and performance, including understanding human resources, employee performance improvement plans, and corrective action policies.
• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.
• Respect diverse cultures and provide culturally appropriate, competent and individualized support according to each individual’s age, race, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs and culture.
• Embrace a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
• Master’s degree in Special Education, Education, or related field required; with a Type 75 Certification.
• Demonstrated success developing and evaluating program models, and selecting and successfully operationalizing innovative programs.
• At least five years of teaching in regular and special education and three years of school administration; experience in the principal role is highly desirable.
• Must be able to successfully complete Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Training.
• New hires must be fully vaccinated and up to date on their COVID‑19 vaccination or provide documentation for an ADA or religious exemption and participate in weekly COVID testing.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to access and navigate the facility.
• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.