Upper School Director of Student Support and Wellness (Grades 4-8)

Luria Academy of Brooklyn

Upper School Director of Student Support and Wellness

Grades 4-8

For August 2026

Upper School Director of Student Support and Wellness (Grades 4-8)

At Luria Academy of Brooklyn (www.luria-academy.org), we are inspiring a new generation of leaders, creators, thinkers and engaged citizens. Our two campuses serve 320 students in preschool through 8th grade. Luria offers a sophisticated Jewish day school education in a progressive environment. Our students come from a wide range of religious and economic backgrounds. At Luria, students are encouraged to be curious, to embrace one another’s differences and to engage in respectful dialogue. We focus on the whole child; as such, our educators develop learning experiences that support and challenge each student. We track student progress using standards based assessment and grading practices.

Luria’s inclusion program welcomes students with a variety of learning challenges and supports them in participating fully inside the classroom. This position works in close collaboration with the Upper School Director of Student Support to steward the implementation, and daily practices of inclusion at Luria, ensuring that all systems, staff, and services reflect the school’s commitment to inclusion.

The Upper School Director of Student Support, will be responsible for the inclusion program at Luria Academy in grades 4-8, including collaborating to set school-wide goals and priorities, identifying areas for improvement, and helping craft a vision for the future of Luria’s inclusion and social/emotional programs. They collaborate closely with the Lower School Director of Student Support, Associate Head of School and Upper School Director to ensure that the inclusion program maximally supports the school’s mission and vision centered on each student’s academic and social/emotional development.

This role serves as a member of the Educational Leadership Team who works together to maintain a strong culture among our faculty and students --a culture of Kindness, Curiosity, Strength, and Contribution. Ours is a dynamic work environment with a commitment to reflection and feedback, and an eye towards growth.

Successful candidates will demonstrate

• Experience in school leadership, special education, upper elementary education, and management
• Deep understanding of child development and inquiry-based and/or Montessori learning environments.
• Comfort in a school setting where children’s learning and experiences are central to educational decisions.
• Strong communication, relationship-building, problem-solving and community-engagement skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Is comfortable as a self-starter, leading independently, and as a team player, working collaboratively.
• A growth mindset, emotional intelligence, integrity, and a team-oriented leadership style.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with adults and children
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a school setting
• Masters in Special Education and/or Mental Health Certification (including but not limited to LCSW, LMHC, MSW, School Psychologist)
• Familiarity with the NYC DOE and IEP process
• Must have excellent leadership, management and organizational skills

Key Responsibilities

Educational Leadership and Program Oversight

• Serve as a member of the school’s Educational Leadership Team, contributing to whole-school planning, strategy, and decision-making.
• Develop, articulate, and steward a clear vision for Luria’s inclusion program and student support services aligned with the school’s mission and values.
• Guide, evaluate, and continuously improve the inclusion program to ensure it meets the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all learners.
• Develop and implement Luria’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum in collaboration with faculty and leadership.

Faculty Support, Coaching, and Professional Development

• Support faculty in successfully meeting the needs of all learners through differentiated instruction, intervention programming, RTI processes, and inclusive classroom practices.
• Partner with teachers to support social development, peer interactions, and student well-being within the classroom setting.
• Provide ongoing professional development, coaching, and resources to strengthen faculty capacity to work with students with special needs.
• Collaborate with faculty to design and implement academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions.

Student Support and Mental Health Services

• Oversee and manage the Upper School’s support services team.
• Support student mental health through one-on-one and group counseling, as needed.
• Ensure coordinated, student-centered support among teachers, support service providers, and families.
• Maintain a focus on the whole child, balancing academic growth with emotional and social development.

Admissions Collaboration and Student Placement

• Partner with the Director of Admissions to assess prospective students, including application review, observations, and consultation.
• Provide insight and guidance on student placement decisions to ensure appropriate support and program alignment.

Compensation is commensurate with experience, within the range of $100,000–$120,000.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Tiphanie Shoemaker, Associate Head of School, Teaching and Learning, TiphanieS@luria-academy.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.