Middle School Director of Student Services

Middle School Director of Student Services
Bronx, New York 

Seton Education Partners seeks a mission-driven, results-oriented leader to serve as the Middle School Director of Student Services for the Brilla Schools Network. Reporting to the Managing Director of Student Services, this role is based in the Bronx, NY.

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 Highbridge in the Bronx. The network plans to grow from a current four elementary and two middle schools to four elementary and four middle schools educating some 4,000 students in the Bronx. 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. Since 2013, over 260 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 Middle Schools Director of Student Services

The Middle School Director of Student Services is a key leadership role on the Schools Team and reports to the Managing Director of Student Services. This individual is responsible for ensuring that academic and behavioral goals are met for students with IEPs across Brilla’s middle schools and that all campuses remain in compliance with relevant regulations. The Director does this by coaching and building capacity among middle school Assistant Principals of Student Services (APSS) to implement high-quality student support systems, while also overseeing the implementation of special education programming that aligns with Brilla’s mission and academic priorities. This leader plays a critical role in developing sustainable systems for compliance and instructional quality in service of student growth.

The Director also directly manages the Middle School Special Education Compliance and Billing Analyst, ensuring accurate reporting, regulatory compliance, and timely submissions to state and network partners. As a core member of the Schools Team, the Director is responsible for driving academic outcomes for all students receiving services and partners closely with the Student Success Team to design and support MLL programming and Tier 3 academic interventions. This role requires exceptional communication, collaboration, and a student-centered leadership mindset, as well as regular on-site presence at middle school campuses across the Bronx.

Main Responsibilities 

• Provide coaching, training, and strategic guidance to Assistant Principals of Student Services (APSS) at Brilla’s middle schools.
• Collaborate with middle school principals, the Schools Team, and the Managing Director of Student Services to ensure student services are integrated effectively into middle school instructional models.
• Build capacity among middle school APSS to execute student services responsibilities effectively, ensuring strong systems and structures across campuses.
• Ensure alignment between middle school student services programs and broader Brilla network priorities.
• Supervise and support the Middle School Billing and Compliance Analyst, ensuring accurate and timely reporting, compliance with IDEA and Section 504 regulations, and seamless coordination with network and state agencies.
• Oversee the implementation of special education and student support services at middle schools to ensure programmatic excellence and compliance.
• Monitor progress and ensure that APSS implement data-driven decision-making to support students with diverse learning needs.
• Serve as a key liaison between middle school campus teams and the Schools Team, ensuring clear communication and problem-solving structures.
• Partner with the Managing Director of Student Services, Principals, and Network Leaders to align special education, student services, and academic programming for middle school students.
• Engage families and community stakeholders in ways that support student success and reinforce Brilla’s mission.
• 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
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities, with a track record of building capacity among school-based staff.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Deep knowledge of middle school operations, student services, and special education compliance.
• Ability to analyze student performance data to inform strategy and instructional decisions.
• Deep expertise in legal and governance topics related to special education
• Commitment to student success and a belief in the potential of all learners.
• Commitment to Brilla Public Charter Schools’ mission and educational philosophy

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

• Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, or Educational Leadership.
• 3+ years of leadership experience in student services, school leadership, or special education.
• 2+ years experience managing compliance and regulatory requirements in an educational setting.
• Strong coaching experience, particularly with school-based leadership teams.
• Proficiency in managing cross-functional collaboration and aligning school-based and network priorities.
• Proven student performance results at scale
• Ability to travel approximately 10-20% of the time, primarily within the US

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 $115,000 to $135,000 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.