Head of Student Support

The International School•Portland, OR

About The Position

The Head of Student Support (HOSS) is the educational and administrative leader for student support services across Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 5. This role designs, facilitates, and monitors a developmentally responsive, prevention-oriented system that builds staff capacity and ensures early identification and intervention for academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs. The HOSS partners closely with the Head of Elementary, Head of Early Childhood, and Educational Leadership Team (ELT) to ensure student support practices are equitable, compliant, and sustainable, aligning with the IB PYP philosophy and the mission of the International School of Portland. The HOSS oversees and leads the Student Support Team, including the School Counselor and Learning Support Specialist, and supervises other assigned faculty. They guide the vision, operations, and collaboration of this team to ensure responsive student-centered systems are implemented across classrooms. The HOSS leads the design and implementation of MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports), Responsive Classroom practices, and individual Student Support Plans. They bring expertise in neurodiversity, special education, behavior intervention, and learning differentiation to create a supportive, inclusive environment for all learners.

Requirements

Deep understanding of special education, neurodiversity, and MTSS systems of support
Expertise in Responsive Classroom and evidence-based behavior intervention practices
Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams
Cultural competence and dedication to equity, inclusion, and student advocacy
Skilled in data analysis, intervention design, and instructional coaching
Technologically proficient with student data systems, assistive technologies, and digital communication tools
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

Nice To Haves

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)

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