Director of Student Services - Network

Director of Student Services - Network
Bronx, NY

Seton Education Partners seeks a mission-driven, results-oriented individual to be the Director of Student Services of the Brilla Schools Network. We are looking for a collaborative, organized and highly efficient team member who will provide outstanding expertise and support to the Senior Director of Student Services and the broader Schools Team.

About Seton Education Partners

Co-founded in 2009 by KIPP pioneer Scott W. Hamilton and Teach for America alumna Stephanie Saroki de García, Seton Education Partners is a response to the dramatic decline of urban Catholic schools which have historically been the greatest equalizing factor for economically underserved children, families and communities in America for decades. 

Specifically, Seton expands opportunities for parents in underserved communities to choose an academically excellent, character rich, and—for those who seek it—vibrantly Catholic education for their children. As a national non-profit, Seton partners with (arch)dioceses and others across the country to implement innovative and sustainable new models that bridge the best of Catholic education's rich tradition with new possibilities. Seton was born of the belief that a tremendous opportunity exists to revitalize urban Catholic schools in America and strengthen the education they provide. The challenges are significant, to be sure, but with an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, much can and should be done, not only to preserve this national treasure but also to build on its foundation for the benefit of thousands of children in America’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Seton has pioneered multiple innovative and high-impact solutions to the shuttering of Catholic schools in underserved communities. Seton is working to take these remarkable achievements to scale by managing a network of schools and programs that ensure that thousands of underserved children whose Catholic schools close—and other local children—have access to an academically excellent, character-building, and, for those who choose it, faith-nurturing education. Seton provides a national model for how other cities facing the shuttering of Catholic schools can continue to serve children and families with limited educational options. For more information on Seton Education Partners, please visit www.SetonPartners.org.

About the Brilla Schools Network

Brilla Public Charter Schools is a network of K-8th grade schools that currently serves nearly 1,600 students from Mott Haven, University Heights and other neighborhoods in the Bronx. The network plans to grow from a current four elementary and one middle school to five elementary and five middle schools educating some 4,000 students in the Bronx and Paterson, NJ. Core to our mission is that our students become young men and women of good character and spirit and be prepared for excellence in high school, college, and beyond. Brilla combines a classical approach to education -- an emphasis on virtue formation, Truth, Beauty, and Goodness, and direct instruction of a content-rich curriculum that has stood the test of time -- with co-teaching practices and individualized online learning.* We approach the formation of our students holistically and also set high academic expectations. Ours is a joyful community that honors the dignity of each student, family member and staff. 

About El Camino Network

El Camino, which means “The Way” in Spanish, is an optional, privately-funded Catholic after-school faith formation program that is closely partnered with Brilla charter schools.  El Camino helps children, their families and their catechists to know, love and serve Christ and His Church; develop the habits, dispositions and beliefs that are indispensable to human flourishing and happiness; and live as disciples in this world and saints in the next. El Camino honors the teaching authority of the Catholic Church. In the last 10 years, over 230 children have been baptized through our program. 

El Camino currently serves approximately 40% of Brilla’s students for 90 minutes a day, Monday through Thursday. Children receive homework help from experienced teachers, a nutritious snack, and 30 minutes each of catechism and physical fitness. Additionally, children and families have opportunities for shared and personal prayer and character formation. This video provides a snapshot of El Camino. El Camino will grow to serve children through 8th grade, growing a grade level at a time each year.

About the job of Network Director of Student Services

Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Services, the Director of Student Services is tasked with aligning the vision and operational execution of a comprehensive, multi-tiered student support program that serves Special Populations, including Special Education and Multilingual Learners (MLL). This full-time role is central to ensuring both compliance with federal and state regulations and the achievement of academic excellence through Brilla's curriculum. The Director is a key member of the central network team, working closely with school-based leaders, the Manager of Multilingual Learners and Billing & Compliance Coordinator, and other critical staff to refine and implement student services programs in alignment with the organization’s mission and educational philosophy.

Main Responsibilities 

• Programmatic Leadership and Implementation-  Oversee the strategic refinement and operational execution of Brilla’s student support programs, focusing on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Special Education, and MLL processes. Ensure these programs are effectively integrated into the curriculum and instructional practices to meet the diverse needs of all students.
• Compliance and Performance Management- Directly manage the Billing & Compliance Coordinator to guarantee 100% compliance with all relevant federal and state special education and MLL regulations. Utilize performance evaluations and professional development initiatives to enhance the competencies of the Student Services Department, including Learning Specialists, School Social Workers, and Behavior Interventionists.
• Data Analysis and Instructional Improvement- Proactively analyze and interpret student performance data to identify opportunities for curriculum and instructional improvement. Collaborate with faculty and leadership teams to implement data-driven changes that support academic achievement for students with disabilities.
• Policy and Procedure Coordination- Coordinate the evaluation and revision of policies to incorporate the needs of special education students. Ensure Brilla’s policies remain compliant with legal requirements and best practices in special education.
• Staffing and Professional Development- Assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of special education personnel. Lead the professional development of the Student Services team, designing high-quality workshops that align with Brilla’s teaching philosophy and student needs.
• Communication and Collaboration- Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders regarding the provision of Special Education services. Manage network-wide assessment coordination for students receiving services, ensuring a cohesive approach to state exams and language assessments.
• Legislative Compliance and Advocacy- Stay abreast of changes in federal and state legislation related to Special Education and Section 504 services. Interpret and communicate the impact of these changes to ensure network-wide compliance and advocacy for the needs of exceptional students.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Desired Characteristics

Candidates for the position must possess the following personal characteristics:

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to Seton’s mission and values
• Personal responsibility with humility
• A relentless drive for excellence
• A strong belief that all children can achieve both moral and academic excellence
• An unwavering determination to be better today than you were yesterday
• Deep understanding and experience in Special Education and MLL program management and compliance.
• Proven track record in leading programmatic improvements and achieving academic results for students with disabilities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to inform instructional decisions.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, capable of building strong relationships with staff, students, and community members.
• Commitment to Brilla Public Charter Schools’ mission and educational philosophy

The ideal candidate will bring experience, skills, and beliefs in the following areas:

• Current Special Education Certification and Graduate Degree in Education
• Possession of ESL or ELL teaching certification a plus
• 3+ years of relevant urban, elementary or middle teaching experience with demonstrated student results preferred 
• 2+ years leading/managing adults in an education setting
• Proven student performance results at scale

Diversity & Inclusivity

We are building an organization in which talented individuals from all walks of life and past work experiences can join our team and make significant contributions. We are particularly committed to attracting and developing individuals who share the life experiences or backgrounds of the students we will serve.

*At Brilla, education in the classical tradition is understood to require the education of the whole person - mind, body and spirit - in the service of human flourishing. Cognitive development and character formation are interdependent: People flourish by living out the virtues. A time proven way of learning how to live out the virtues is to learn about, contemplate and discuss how these virtues have been expressed in literature and history and represented in time-tested works. 

Secondarily, a classical education is pedagogically consistent with modern cognitive science. Many current pedagogies are not fully consistent with what we know today about brain development. In contrast, classical pedagogy  (referred to as the Trivium) perfectly corresponds to how the brain develops. It emphasizes patterns, routines, and facts that young brains crave (Grammar stage); it leverages the brain’s orientation to asking “why” in the middle years (Logic stage); and it focuses on communication and persuasion in the high school years (Rhetoric stage).

To Apply

Initial application materials include: a cover letter, contact information for three references, and a resume that includes information on your background and leadership experience.

Resumes without cover letters will not be reviewed.

Seton Education Partners provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.

The base pay range for this position is $110,000 to $130,000 per year. Pay may vary within the stated range, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits will be provided.