Head of The Learning Center

Almaden Country Day School; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Seasonal stipend

No weekend commitments

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Almaden Country Day School is seeking a Division Head for The Learning Center to lead a program for dyslexia students with OG-certified teachers. You will drive strategic planning, coach teachers, and collaborate with admissions to support student success.

The role requires OG certification at Clinical level or higher (Fellow preferred), a master's degree in education or literacy, and strong leadership and collaboration skills. On-site position with a competitive salary and full-time commitment.

Qualifications

• Required OG certification at Clinical level or higher (Fellow preferred).
• Strong leadership and interpersonal abilities are essential.
• Master's degree in education, literacy, or related field required.
• Experience with students with learning differences is preferred.
• Comfort using AI as an instructional tool and adaptive technology.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic planning, professional development, and hiring for the program.
• Observe classrooms regularly and give feedback to teachers.
• Collaborate with Admissions and school leaders to support TLC students.
• Monitor OG certification progress and support staff certification.

Skills

Orton Gillingham certification

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Educational leadership

AI in classroom

Multitasking

Education

Master's degree in education or literacy

Job description

Schedule: 12 months, full-time Administrator
Compensation: $130,000 - $165,000 depending on qualifications and experience
Reports to: Head of School

Description of Program

As our program for children with dyslexia expands, Almaden Country Day School seeks to hire an additional educational leader at the Division Head level. We seek a compassionate administrator who is certified in the Orton Gillingham Approach (at least the Clinical level and preferably at the Fellow level) and have educational leadership and instructional coaching experience.

All students in TLC have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia or other language-based learning differences. Classes have up to four students, each with an Orton Gillingham-certified teacher. When they are not in their literacy, math, and social studies classes, TLC students are fully integrated with their general education classmates in enrichment and elective classes, including art, music, science, PE, and drama. TLC students also integrate with general education students to participate in field trips, and after-school sports, clubs, and activities; they attend overnight field trips in grades 4 - 8.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The Head of The Learning Center’s primary responsibilities focus on strategic planning, providing professional development opportunities, and hiring. Additionally, the Head observes in classrooms on a regular basis and provides feedback, helps with admissions, and connects with the rest of the school. The Head is ultimately responsible for the ongoing success of the Program.

School Culture

• Learn, embrace, and model the culture of TLC and ACDS
• Help new members to the community understand ACDS culture and philosophy
• Maintain high teacher morale
• Support parents and guardians in the program
• Be able to speak to dyslexia’s implications in the classroom, and how it impacts students and their families
• Coordinate with the Admissions team to plan and organize events to build TLC community and connection; participate in tours, family conversations, and admissions decisions

Educational Leadership

• Work in partnership with the other division heads on instructional leadership
• Determine and implement professional development programming; periodically attend annual conferences (Orton Gillingham Academy and International Dyslexia Association), and attend the Association of Learning Disabilities Schools (ALDS) Leadership Summit annually
• Hire, support, supervise, and evaluate teachers
• Evaluate and choose curriculum (writing, social studies, and math), with input from teachers
• Explain and help implement new initiatives
• Monitor and support teachers as they progress through Orton Gillingham certification and in maintaining certification through professional development

Curriculum Coaching and Teacher Mentoring

• Visit classrooms frequently to have a clear understanding of interactions, student progress, and instruction
• Understand the curriculum across the TLC grade levels, including OG, literature, writing, math, and social studies
• Ensure that we are making progress on OGA accreditation recommendations
• Read, interpret, and summarize psychoeducational evaluations
• Meet regularly with TLC Thought Partner teachers to hear their perspectives and discuss ways to integrate their feedback

Qualifications

• Required certification in the Orton Gillingham Approach, at least at the Clinical level and preferably at the Fellow level
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• A master’s degree in education, literacy, or a related field
• Direct experience working with students with learning differences
• Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and manage different tasks at once
• Comfort and experience with using AI as an effective instructional tool in the classroom
• Demonstrated success in using adaptive technology as an instructional tool
• Demonstrated commitment to a collaborative work stylePersonal characteristics: passion for working with children, optimism, flexibility, patience, joyfulness, humor, commitment to personal and professional growth
• Experience working in an independent school environment is a plus

Interviews will follow for qualified applicants. ACDS utilizes a variety of HR tools to assess candidates and select finalists for our job vacancies.

Application Deadline:

This position is open until filled.

Overview of Almaden Country Day School

Almaden Country Day School is an independent school serving Pre-K through 8th-grade students, located in the Almaden Valley of South San Jose. The school's mission is to "discover the gifts in every child." ACDS promotes the belief that children learn best in a high-opportunity, low-stress environment, and when instruction is age-appropriate, highly individualized, and joyful.

We serve 425 students in small classes with multiple sections at each grade level. While our focus is on the journey of childhood and providing balance that shapes confident, curious, empathetic leaders, our graduates are prepared for a rigorous high school experience. It is not unusual for half of the students in an ACDS graduating class to be accepted into high school with academic distinction or honors placement. Approximately 25 percent of the student body receives tuition aid. 95% of TLC graduates have been accepted into the private high schools of their choice without accommodations.

ACDS strives to develop well-rounded children prepared to enter the world with agency and self-advocacy. In addition to their literacy and math coursework, our youngest students experience theater, foreign language, physical education, music, maker space, and art, and in middle school, they choose from extensive choices across dozens of elective classes. The school’s signature enrichment programs, hands-on science featuring an outdoor classroom, robust integrated technology program, and acclaimed performing arts programs, all contribute to our emphasis on whole-child instruction.

For more information about Almaden Country Day School, candidates are encouraged to further explore our website.

Schedule: 12 months, full-time Administrator
Compensation: $110,000 - $140,000 depending on qualifications and experience
Reports to: Head of The Learning Center

Time Commitment: ~4 to 6 hours per week (No weekend or Friday commitments)
Compensation: $2,000 stipend per season (opportunity for additional teams and roles)

Schedule:October to January, start at the end of September
Salary: $60,000 - $100,000 annually depending on qualifications and experience, additionally prorated for length of time working as substitute teacher

Schedule: Part-time position (as needed)
Salary: $35/hour

Schedule: Full-time, Effective August 19, 2026
Compensation: $60,000 - $100,000 depending on qualifications
Reports to: Head of The Learning Center

Almaden Country Day School employs individuals of different ages, genders, races, ethnicities, physical and mental abilities and conditions, creeds, and lifestyles, and values the unique background of each employee. Almaden Country Day School will not discriminate (or tolerate discrimination by its employees or others) against any applicant or employee based on race, color, creed, sex (including gender, gender identity, and pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition including genetic characteristics, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.