Director of Learning Support Services
About North Country School & Camp Treetops. Located on the outskirts of Lake Placid, NY, Camp Treetops and North Country School sit on a 333‑acre campus amid majestic mountain peaks in New York State’s Adirondack Park. Since 1921 and 1938, respectively, we have been nationally renowned for pioneering educational programs rooted in progressive practices and experiential learning. Both Camp and School guide children to engage the natural world, take on intellectual and physical challenges in a nurturing community, and cultivate independence and creativity.
Position Overview
The Director of Learning Support Services (LSS) is a visionary leader responsible for the strategic oversight, coordination, and delivery of specialized academic support within our unique residential and experiential community. Serving as the primary advocate for diverse learners in grades 4–9, the Director manages the LSS faculty, directly supports students, oversees legal and instructional compliance, and translates complex neuropsychological data into actionable classroom success.
Beyond administrative leadership, the Director is a deeply integrated member of our mountain campus—possessing a genuine commitment to the residential boarding experience and the readiness to lead students in outdoor pursuits while actively participating in the daily rhythms of our farm and wilderness setting. We seek an empathetic, self‑starting professional who brings warmth, a growth mindset, and a collaborative spirit to the holistic development of every student.
Major Responsibilities
1) Strategic Leadership & Student Advocacy
- Visionary Oversight: Lead the LSS department to ensure an inclusive, welcoming, and high‑standard program that serves as a model of excellence across the school.
- Instructional Leadership: Using our competency‑based approach and Universal Design for Learning as a foundation, support faculty in excellent teaching and learning through observations, leading and designing professional development, and working with the Director of School and the Director of Teaching and Learning to plan strategic initiatives.
2) Programmatic Excellence
- Student Case Management: Maintain a holistic view of the specific learning needs and social‑emotional development of the student body by reviewing neuropsychological assessments, ensuring tiered interventions are effective and compassionate. Work alongside the Admissions team to ensure student support from day 1. Creating customized learning plans, informed by neuropsychological evaluations and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
- Family Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for student support, facilitating high‑level communication between families, specialists, and the administration.
- Compliance & Records: Manage student learning profiles and accommodations, coordinate with local school districts in support of IEPs, and ensure that technology (in our one‑to‑one laptop environment) is used effectively to bridge learning gaps.
3) Curricular Oversight
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Systems Management: Partner with the Director of School, Director of Teaching & Learning, Department Heads, and LSS teachers to integrate learning support into the core curriculum and special projects. Oversee the implementation of skill‑building strategies and tools (graphic organizers, etc.) across the departments to ensure student learning needs are consistently and thoroughly supported.
- Instructional Coaching: Coordinate LSS teachers in their use of various instructional modalities.
- Data‑Driven Growth: Utilize school‑wide assessment data to identify trends, adjust departmental goals, and continuously improve school‑wide student outcomes.
How You Will Spend Your Time
Departmental Direction & Instructional Support (60%)
As the leader of the LSS department, your work involves creating a high‑functioning support system. You will oversee the LSS faculty to ensure an inclusive, learning‑motivated environment where students’ voices are celebrated. While you will provide direct support to students, your primary focus is facilitating best practices within instruction school‑wide. You will ensure technology is used creatively to support diverse learners and that every student’s social‑emotional development is at the forefront of the academic program.
Strategic Growth & Faculty Development (20%)
You will lead the professional development trajectory for the LSS department and contribute to that of the school. This includes active collaboration with other teachers to evolve our curriculum and multidisciplinary projects. You are responsible for staying at the forefront of learning support trends and ensuring our faculty is equipped with the best tools to serve our unique student body.
Community Life (20%)
Our community is the heart of the student experience, and your leadership as a positive, contributing member is key to sustaining it. You will:
- Participate in community work during work jobs (chores) alongside students across campus—from barn chores on our working educational farm to other contributions that sustain our community.
- Lead weekend activities, including outdoor trips and activities like rock climbing, skiing, and hiking, ensuring these experiential learning opportunities are accessible and supportive for all learners.
- Facilitate “out‑times” and weekend trips that immerse students in the surrounding Adirondack region.
- Serve as an advisor for up to 5 students, providing deep individual mentorship.
- Support our Residential life throughout the school year. This typically looks like one evening and biweekly weekend commitments, and being on call for overnight support up to 3x a year.
Qualifications
Education Background & Certifications
- Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Instruction, School Psychology, or a related field.
- Preferred Qualifications: Master’s Degree in related field; Advanced training in neurodiversity, structured literacy (e.g., Orton‑Gillingham), or executive function coaching is highly desirable.
- Professional Experience: 5+ years teaching special education; 3+ years leading a special education team or initiative Specialized Training
Professional Experience
- Educational Leadership: Minimum of 5 years of experience in special education or learning support, with at least 2–3 years in a leadership role (Department Chair, Coordinator, or Administrator).
- Clinical Literacy: Proven ability to interpret complex neuropsychological evaluations and translate clinical data into actionable classroom accommodations and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
- Teacher Mentorship: Experience observing, coaching, and evaluating faculty to improve instructional practices and student outcomes.
- Systems Management: Demonstrated success in managing departmental budgets, tracking student progress data, and ensuring legal compliance (IDEA/Section 504).
Skills & Mindset
- Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate sensitive conversations with parents, external specialists, and faculty with empathy and clarity.
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to design and implement a long‑term vision for learning support that aligns with the school’s mission of experiential and outdoor education.
- Community Commitment: A genuine commitment to the residential boarding experience, and the readiness to lead students in outdoor pursuits while actively participating in the daily rhythms of our mountain campus. We seek an adaptable, self‑starting leader who brings warmth and a growth mindset to our community, fostering curiosity in students through empathetic collaboration and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone.
The Benefits of Working Here
In addition to a salary of $50,000 – $70,000 (based on experience), you will enjoy:
- Housing
- Health insurance
- Personal time off during school vacations
- Vegetables and food from the farm when in season
- Seasonally sourced daily meals
- On‑campus access to miles of walking/hiking/skiing trails, rock climbing crag, and ski hill
- Access to on-campus shop and studio spaces
How to Apply
To apply, please compile a cover letter, resume, and references, and submit them through this survey. All candidates will be required to complete a nationwide criminal background check.
Our Mission and Values
North Country School & Camp Treetops strive to create a diverse and inclusive community that gives children the self‑confidence, knowledge, skills, and values to lead fulfilling and productive lives while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world.
We are a values‑driven community and seek to have a positive impact on the world around us by living out our core values on and off campus:
- Cultivate Community: We believe in the inherent value and contributions of every person, and in fostering connections to build and nurture a strong, inclusive community.
- Walk a Mile: We believe that understanding and honoring every person’s unique worldview, experiences, and challenges is at the root of empathy and compassion.
- Dig Deep, Keep Growing: We believe that by setting ambitious goals, working hard, and persevering, we build strength and character and set a course for lives of growth, purpose, and fulfillment.
- Stay Curious: We believe in the power of creativity and wonder. We believe that curiosity about ourselves, other people, and the world around us leads to growth, innovation, and sometimes unconventional ideas.
- Our Planet, Our Job: We believe in individual and collective responsibility for our planet, and in leading by example as a community that works to respect, protect, and restore the natural world.
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Applicants and employees are considered for positions and are evaluated without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.
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