Director of Learning Support Services

Full Time, Exempt, 11 month

Overview of School:

Sonoma Academy is an independent high school located in Santa Rosa, CA on a 34-acre campus, surrounded by 1,000 acres of protected open space, at the base of Taylor Mountain. Founded in 2001, it provides an engaging, challenging, and innovative college preparatory education and a supportive community for motivated learners from Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake, and Mendocino counties.

Our Mission: Sonoma Academy calls its students to be creative, ethical, and committed to learning. The school nurtures inspiring teachers and engages with the surrounding community, and its students communicate across cultures as they prepare to become leaders in a dynamic world.

Sonoma Academy’s Commitment to Diversity: We believe that learning occurs best in a connected community. Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are essential to an education in which all members of our community thrive. We are committed to cultivating a diverse community that is conscious and welcoming of difference, dedicated to investigating and advancing equity, and engages with our local and global community. If you would like to join us in our work, we would welcome your application. As we are deeply committed to having a staffulty (staff and faculty) and student body which reflects the rich diversity within the North Bay, we strongly encourage candidates from BIPOC and/or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented to apply.

For more information on programs and philosophy, please visit our website: www.sonomaacademy.org.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead our Student Learning Support program and serve as a highly engaged, student-centered practitioner. This full-time, academic/administrative role provides direct support to students, faculty, and families across the upper school, with a primary focus on managing the daily operations of the Learning Services program. The Director maintains the general student caseload, leads the creation and management of Accommodation Forms, coordinates standardized testing accommodations, and provides targeted 1:1 and small-group support that strengthens students’ academic skills and executive functioning. The Director will also run the peer tutoring program, coordinate and supervise on campus tutors. The Director will be a key team member of the Student Support Team, alongside the Director of Counseling, Director of Student Experience & Belonging, and Director of Academic Services. The Director is also an important member of the Admissions Review Committee.

An ideal candidate brings deep knowledge of evidence-based practices for supporting neurodiverse learners; strong organizational and interpersonal skills; and the ability to partner effectively with teachers, counselors, and administrators. We seek an educator who brings warmth, clarity, and collaboration to their work; who thrives in a fast-paced environment; and who contributes positively to the culture of care, inclusion, and academic excellence at SA.

In addition to these responsibilities, faculty have the opportunity to be advisors, lead intersessions, and passport programs.

Core Requirements:

Successful candidates are passionate about supporting adolescents with diverse learning profiles and demonstrate strong cultural competency, empathy, and professionalism in working with students, families, and colleagues. We seek candidates with experience managing complex student caseloads, writing individualized learning plans, coordinating accommodations, and delivering strategy-based academic support.

Candidates should possess excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills; be comfortable using educational technology and learning management systems; and understand the distinctions between high school and college accommodation requirements. Experience with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and student well-being are also essential.

Preferred Education and Experiences:

• Master’s degree in Special Education or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3–5 years of direct work as a Learning Specialist in a grades 9–12 setting, is preferred.

Compensation:

Sonoma Academy has a multi-step salary scale in place for faculty members that includes differentials for advanced degrees and annual guaranteed step increases. The starting salary will range from $120,000 to $170,000. The school will evaluate the faculty member's relevant experience upon hiring.

Perks of working at SA:

• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance for employees with several plan options to meet individuals’ specific needs
• Generous retirement plan contribution
• Commitment to professional development, including generously- funded training opportunities and a dedicated “exploratory fund” of $450 annually for learning opportunities unrelated to work
• Healthy and nutritious lunch service offered at no cost to employees during the school year (when on campus and our kitchen operational)
• A professional work environment defined by teamwork, collegiality, trust, agility, and altruism

Work Environment:

• This position operates in a professional office environment at a private, independent high school.
• This is a full-time position with occasional evening and weekend work.

Sonoma Academy is an equal opportunity employer. Sonoma Academy does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.