Director of the Wardlaw School

Amplifying Influence and Shaping the Future of Dyslexia Education

In the rapidly evolving landscape of dyslexia education the Director will serve as a visionary and advocate for children whose dyslexia might otherwise go undetected particularly in public schools and communities that have historically been denied opportunities.

• The Director will position Wardlaw as the school of choice for immersive individualized instruction without stigma and distinct from the compliance-based or pull-out models increasingly offered in public and independent schools under dyslexia mandates and other schools serving children with dyslexia with a narrower focus on decoding.
• The Director will position Wardlaw as a national voice in the education of children with dyslexiabuilding on its legacy of innovation guiding research-to-practice partnerships and influencing the field through the Schools structured literacy and dyslexia content featured on Cox Campus the only free IDA-accredited certificate-bearing professional development platform.

• Working alongside the Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ryan Lee James who also serves as Vice President of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) the Director will have a singular opportunity to transform how dyslexia is understood and taught.

Championing a Community of Exceptional Educators United in Purpose

• Provide guidance and mentorship to teachers Reading Specialists Speech-Language Pathologists and assistant teachers.
• Collaborate with other Directors and leaders to establish best practices across the Atlanta Speech School.
• Recruit and interview potential staff members providing recommendations and maximizing their talents.
• Continue the schools commitment to professional development to support and retain talented mission-driven faculty.
• Create and establish a framework for staff apprenticeships.
• Conduct regular program evaluations and strive for ongoing improvement.
• Collaborate with outside professionals and maintain strong relationships with partner schools.

Advancing the Wardlaw School and the Foundations that Sustain It

• Supervise all key operations and services for Wardlaw students in grades K-6 establishing strategic goals policies and a visionary direction.
• Develop focused educational programs for the parents in the community.
• Collaborate with the Chief Academic Officer and Executive Director to manage the Wardlaw budget.
• Ensure that each child receives personalized evidence-based instruction based on the latest research in the science of reading and child development.
• Ensure that Wardlaw remains a place where every childs voice is cultivated and every family finds partnership and equity.
• Work in partnership with the parent community that frequently comes to the school in a moment of crisis and have appropriately high expectations for their childs growth and development while at the school.
• Develop focused educational programs for the parents in the community.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The Wardlaw School is seeking in its next Director an experienced and inspiring educational leader who fully embraces the Atlanta Speech Schools mission and vision. The strongest candidates will offer most or all of the following experiences skill sets and mindsets:

Professional Qualifications

• Deep expertise in dyslexia oral and written language learning disabilities and the Science of Reading.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading including evidence-based instruction.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of childrens learning profiles and psychoeducational evaluations including academic development cognitive processes executive functions and social-emotional development related fields.
• Certification in at least one multi-sensory reading methodology; familiarity with other Structured Literacy approaches.
• Teaching and leadership experience beyond the Masters Degree preferred.
• Active engagement in professional organizations such as the International Dyslexia Association American Speech and Hearing Association Learning Disabilities Association Council of Exceptional Children or The Reading League.

Leadership Style

• Inspire confidence among parents students and colleagues and honor our commitment to each child as we fulfill our Mission.

• Cultivate the Schools core culture of connection among staff children and parents.
• Facilitate the individual and collective expertise of colleagues to ensure extraordinary instruction and transformative student outcomes.
• Ensure staff have access to the latest science and the resources to actualize this science with the greatest fidelity possible.
• Support colleagues to build a cohesive team while affirming agency through a warm welcoming and joyful approach to leadership.
• Commit to honoring multiple perspectives to foster an authentic and inclusive community.
• Compel others to act on the Schools shared vision of Literacy and Justice for All fueled by our shared unconditional conviction of every childs right to read and the resulting freedom to decide their own future.
• Embrace an understanding and respect for the schools 87-plus-yearjourney toward educational equity and serve as an agent of innovation in that pursuit.
• Advocate and create space for new ideas invite disagreement and welcome feedback engaging in challenging conversations with grace and a keen sense of emotional intelligence.
• Serve as a steadfast advocate for children a champion for staff and a compassionate listener for families offering comfort and guidance with integrity particularly when needs or perspectives conflict.

Personal Qualities

• Optimism
• Purpose
• Empathy
• Integrity
• Connection

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence and submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position
• A current résumé
• Original writing sample describing how your background and teaching philosophy align with the mission and values of the Atlanta Speech School (without AI assistance beyond proofing)
• A list of five professional references with name relationship phone number and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidates permission)

Scott Nelson

Senior Consultant

Kim Peeples

Senior Consultant