International School of Portland · 9 hours ago
Head of Student Support
Portland, OR
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
4+ years expThe International School of Portland is seeking a Head of Student Support to lead student support services for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5. This role involves designing and implementing systems for academic, social-emotional, and behavioral support, while overseeing the Student Support Team and ensuring equitable practices aligned with the school's philosophy.
Primary/Secondary Education
Responsibilities
Lead the development and oversight of systems to support students with academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs
Design, facilitate, and monitor MTSS structures and Responsive Classroom implementation across divisions, including referral pathways, documentation practices, and progress monitoring
Develop and manage individualized Student Support Plans (SSPs) and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) in partnership with teachers, families, the Learning Support Specialist, and the School Counselor
Ensure supports are developmentally responsive, including early childhood foundations such as play-based regulation, sensory-informed strategies, and family coaching
Guide the identification of students requiring additional support and coordinate interventions in collaboration with the Student Support Team
Interpret psychoeducational and specialist evaluations to translate findings into actionable supports, accommodations, and school-based planning
Support transitions between school years and into middle school by ensuring continuity of support services and documentation
Coordinate school-based student crisis response protocols and follow-up supports in collaboration with division heads, counselor, and relevant staff
Serve as the second point of contact for behavioral concerns after teacher and counselor involvement, leading systems-level planning, documentation, and escalation decisions when patterns persist, or safety concerns arise
Coordinate behavioral observations, data collection, intervention design, and communication with families
Support faculty in implementing proactive behavior strategies and logical consequences aligned with the Responsive Classroom
Determine when significant behavioral issues warrant administrative escalation to the Head of Early Childhood (PK–K) or Head of Elementary (1–5)
Lead the counseling-out process when a student's needs can no longer be met within the school's available resources, with professionalism and compassion
Supervise the Student Support Team, including the School Counselor and Learning Support Specialist, through regular meetings, professional development, and goal-setting
Collaborate with faculty to implement differentiated instruction, accommodations, and interventions across subjects and grade levels
Provide professional development and coaching to teachers on inclusive practices, behavior support, and instructional strategies for neurodiverse learners
Work with the Instructional Coach and PYP Coordinator to ensure alignment between student support strategies and curriculum planning
Facilitate complex problem-solving meetings and serve as a mediator between student needs, family partnership, and school-based systems of support
Partner with families to support student growth, facilitate meetings, and maintain regular communication about student progress and plans
Act as liaison with external providers such as educational psychologists, speech therapists, or public school special education staff
Support Admissions by reviewing prospective students' support needs and contributing to placement decisions
Attend parent-teacher conferences and participate in parent education events to support community understanding of student support systems
Manage the department budget, scheduling, and student records related to support services in compliance with confidentiality and legal standards
Maintain clear documentation and ensure proper record transitions between grade levels and divisions
Partner with division heads to design student support schedules and systems that strengthen classroom capacity and ensure consistent student and family support
Ensure student support practices and documentation meet confidentiality expectations and align with applicable legal standards, including Child Find-related identification processes and evaluation record protocols
Contribute to school-wide planning, accreditation processes, and strategic initiatives related to inclusion and student support
Actively participate in ELT and school leadership activities; model IB Learner Profile attributes in all interactions
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in education, special education, psychology, or related field
4+ years of experience in K–5 education with a focus on supporting diverse learners
Experience designing and implementing student support plans and MTSS
Experience supervising or coaching instructional staff
Preferred
Master's degree in special education, educational leadership, or related field
Certification or advanced training in Responsive Classroom, MTSS, or behavior intervention
IB PYP and/or language immersion experience
Bilingual ability in English and one of the school's immersion languages (Spanish, Japanese, or Chinese)
Company
International School of Portland
Embrace the World! Since 1990, the International School of Portland has offered full language and cultural immersion in a warm, loving environment that encourages curiosity and kindness.
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
International School of Portland has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2023 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase