Associate Director - Therapeutic Preschool/Elementary Education

Gateway-Longview, Inc. • Buffalo, NY

11d • $63,000 - $71,000

About The Position

The Associate Director oversees educational and clinical services across Gateway Longview’s Therapeutic Preschool in Buffalo, NY, and Lynde School Elementary Education in Williamsville, NY. The role ensures high-quality, integrated programming responsive to students’ and families’ individual needs, and supports equity, inclusion, and a trauma-informed approach.

For the Therapeutic Preschool, the Associate Director administers the S.E.D.-approved program, coordinates educational and clinical services, works with district CPSE on Individual Education Plans and curricula, and ensures compliance with applicable regulations, contracts, accreditation standards, and documentation requirements. The role leads staffing, supervision, training, labor relations, family collaboration, strategic planning, budgeting, program evaluation, and crisis preparedness. It also oversees admission and discharge practices and works to maximize opportunities for students to return to less restrictive settings.

For Elementary Education, the Associate Director guides classroom management, curriculum and lesson planning, and educational approaches tailored to students’ diverse learning needs and therapeutic goals. The role observes and supports teachers, develops professional learning opportunities, evaluates and improves programming, partners with families and school leadership, ensures regulatory compliance, develops staff, maintains relationships with public schools and CSEs, and supports budgets and funding proposals.

This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday during normal school hours. A master’s degree in a related field and a valid New York State driver’s license are required.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Valid New York State driver’s license.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to multitask and be detail oriented.
• Ability to utilize physical restraints with youth in accordance with safety protocols after successfully completing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.
• Ability to work through a trauma-informed lens, assess needs, and use appropriate TCI practices while providing support.
• Ability to work independently and be an enthusiastic team player.
• Ability to work effectively with clients, staff, families, and community contacts.
• Knowledge of daycare regulations.

Responsibilities

• Administer the S.E.D.-approved Therapeutic Preschool Program and ensure high-quality, integrated educational and clinical services.
• Plan, implement, coordinate, and improve educational and clinical programming in accordance with students’ and families’ needs.
• Coordinate with district CPSE and implement Individual Education Plans and curricula consistent with S.E.D. requirements.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, state and federal laws and regulations, accreditation standards, and internal record-keeping and confidentiality guidelines.
• Select, train, supervise, evaluate, and motivate educational, clinical, support, and substitute personnel; participate in bargaining-unit negotiations and support productive labor relations.
• Build collaborative relationships with families and caregivers and incorporate their perspectives into educational planning and therapeutic services.
• Lead long-term strategic goals for the Therapeutic Preschool Program.
• Ensure appropriate admission and discharge standards and practices that support placement in the least restrictive appropriate environment and transitions to less restrictive settings.
• Prepare and manage annual operations and capital budgets, prepare funding proposals, and keep job functions within established financial limits.
• Monitor program outcomes, identify trends, evaluate effectiveness, and revise program design, policies, and practices.
• Oversee crisis intervention protocols and ensure staff training in safety, de-escalation, and emergency preparedness.
• Complete required reports and documentation, including performance evaluations, strategic mapping and outcome results, and case record reviews.
• Guide teachers in classroom management and oversee classroom dynamics to support positive learning environments and consistent therapeutic behavior management.
• Lead development and implementation of curricula and lesson plans aligned with NYSED standards and student learning needs, integrating therapeutic goals and IEPs as needed.
• Observe classrooms, evaluate teacher performance, provide feedback, and schedule professional development.
• Develop innovative educational programming and revise program design, policies, and practices based on outcomes and strategic goals.
• Partner with families, the Principal, Senior Director of Education, and school staff to support inclusive education and integrated treatment and service delivery.
• Manage and develop educational and clinical staff and, with the Director of Education, support recruitment, training, evaluation, and development of educational personnel.
• Maintain relationships with public schools and CSEs to support timely, appropriate placements and continuity from pre-admission through post-discharge.
• Support the budget, prepare funding proposals, and maintain operations within financial guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• 403B retirement plan.
• Flexible working options.
• Up to 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays per year.
• Up to 33 days of PTO each year, with the opportunity to begin using PTO after hire.
• Training, advancement opportunities, and a formal leadership pipeline.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director