Director of Student Supports

Director of Student Supports, 26-27 SY Academic Year

Focus Area: Student Support Systems and Inclusive Programming

Report to: Principal

Who We Are

Heartwood Community School is a community-focused, tuition-free charter school serving Jasper, Beaufort, and Hampton Counties in South Carolina. We believe in educating the whole child—nurturing each student academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. Honoring every child's unique journey, we bridge home and school to foster a compassionate, empowering environment where students feel seen and valued.

Our mission goes beyond academics; we guide students to become resilient problem-solvers, compassionate community builders, globally minded citizens, emotionally intelligent leaders, and lifelong learners. Embracing mistakes as part of growth, we equip students to thrive in school and life—ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

The Role

Heartwood Community School is seeking a visionary and student-centered Director of Student Supports to lead and manage all programs and services that ensure every student receives the academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and linguistic support necessary to thrive.

This leader oversees the following departments: Special Education (SPED), Academic Interventions, the Multilingual Learner Program (MLP), Behavioral Support, School Counseling, School Nursing, and Social Work. The Director of Student Supports ensures all systems are compliant, proactive, and aligned with Heartwood's mission to educate the whole child.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic leader and hands-on problem solver who builds strong systems, develops staff, and partners with families to ensure exceptional outcomes for all students.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Lead and supervise staff across all student support departments, including SPED, Academic Interventions, MLP, Behavioral Support, School Counseling, School Nursing, and Social Work.
• Establish and maintain a cohesive vision and integrated service delivery model while overseeing staffing, scheduling, and caseload management to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
• Oversee schoolwide Mulit-tiered Systems of Support intervention systems across academics, behavior, social-emotional support, and attendance.
• Collaborate with school leadership to align student support systems with academic priorities and schoolwide goals.
• Manage the student support budget in partnership with the Director of Business Services.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with families, external providers, and community organizations.

Special Education

• Oversee all SPED programs, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure high-quality instruction and services for students with Individualized Education Programs in the Least Restrictive Environment.
• Monitor the development, implementation, and progress of IEPs, reevaluations, and eligibility determinations.
• Provide coaching and support to SPED staff to strengthen instructional practices and improve student outcomes.
• Serve as the Local Education Agency representative at all IEP and 504 meetings, ensuring compliance, appropriate decision-making, and alignment with school and legal requirements.

Academic Intervention

• Supervise interventionists and ensure implementation of evidence-based practices.
• Monitor student progress and use data to guide intervention decisions.
• Collaborate with academic leadership to align interventions with core instruction.
• Ensure timely identification and support of students in need of additional assistance.
• Provide coaching and professional development to interventionists to strengthen instructional practices.
• Ensure compliance with school, district, and state requirements related to intervention services and documentation.

Multilingual Learner Program

• Lead and oversee the MLP teachers to ensure effective implementation and compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Ensure students receive appropriate language development services and access to academic support.
• Monitor and analyze student progress in English language acquisition to inform instructional decisions.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure all compliance, reporting, and program requirements are met.
• Support and coach teachers in implementing effective strategies for multilingual learners.

Behavior Support

• Lead the development and implementation of proactive, student-centered behavioral support systems with the Behavior Support Team.
• Oversee behavior intervention planning, including Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs).
• Collaborate with school leadership to ensure consistent implementation of schoolwide behavior systems.
• Provide coaching and ongoing support to behavior staff on effective strategies and interventions.
• Monitor and analyze student behavioral data to guide intervention, prevention, and decision-making.

School Counseling

• Supervise the School Counselor and oversee the delivery of comprehensive counseling services.
• Support systems that promote student social-emotional wellness, prevention, and early intervention.
• Collaborate with families and staff to address student needs and provide appropriate support.
• Ensure proper documentation, implementation, compliance, and monitoring of 504 plans.

Social Work

• Supervise the School Social Worker and oversee the delivery of comprehensive student support services.
• Provide coaching, feedback, and evaluation to ensure high-quality and consistent service implementation.
• Support crisis intervention, attendance interventions, and family engagement efforts, including facilitating parent meetings.
• Partner with community agencies to connect students and families with needed resources and services.
• Ensure accurate documentation, reporting, and alignment of social work services with school-wide goals.

Compliance and Student Services Systems

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations related to student support programs, including the use of Epicenter for district compliance requirements.
• Oversee accurate and timely documentation, reporting, and data management for all student support services.
• Prepare for and manage audits, monitoring visits, and required compliance reporting.

Collaboration and Shared Leadership

• The Director of Student Supports collaborates closely with the Principal, Director of Academics, and Director of New Teacher Development to ensure that all student support systems are aligned with Heartwood's instructional vision.
• This position partners with instructional leadership to build staff capacity, ensure effective support for diverse learners, and align services to academic goals. The Director of Student Supports also collaborates with the Director of School Services and Director of Business Services to ensure resources and systems effectively support student needs.

Skills and Characteristics

• Deep commitment to Heartwood's mission and the whole-child philosophy.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Exceptional organizational and systems-thinking abilities.
• Strong knowledge of special education, intervention, behavior, and multilingual education best practices.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and make student-centered decisions.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in SPED, School Administration, Educational Leadership, or related field preferred.
• Active South Carolina certification in SPED, School Administration, or Educational Leadership (or ability to obtain).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in SPED, student supports, or a related leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of South Carolina SPED law, compliance, and best practices.
• Experience supervising staff and managing programs preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this role starts at $100,000, with eligibility for relocation assistance. Heartwood offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Disability Coverage
• FSA/HSA Options
• Retirement Plans

Our Commitment

Heartwood Community School is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.