Program Director - Discovery, Explorers & Pathfinders Programs

Job Description

Program Director - Discovery, Explorers & Pathfinders Programs

Shore Educational Collaborative - Chelsea, MA

Shore Educational Collaborative seeks a skilled and mission-driven Program Director to lead the Discovery, Explorers, and Pathfinders programs, serving students from pre-kindergarten through age 22 with disabilities, including autism, intellectual disabilities, and complex medical, physical, and sensory challenges. These programs currently support nearly 130 students across 19 classrooms. More information is available at our website, shorecollaborative.org.

This role oversees and shares leadership responsibilities with a Program Coordinator and plays a key part in ensuring high-quality educational, therapeutic, and behavioral programming that enables every student to achieve meaningful growth.

About the Programs

• Discovery: Five classrooms, with around 30 students with significant global delays and complex health needs.
  
• Explorers: Six classrooms, with around 47 students with autism and significant global delays, focusing on language, sensorimotor, and self-regulation skills.
  
• Pathfinders: Eight classrooms, with around 54 students with varied disabilities including autism, developmental delays, and intellectual or emotional impairments.

About Shore Educational Collaborative

Shore Educational Collaborative was established in 1975 as one of 24 educational collaboratives in Massachusetts, providing public special education to students with disabilities. Over 200 students, aged 3-22, attend our school in Chelsea, receiving a comprehensive education and related services.

At Shore, we believe that every person can grow, learn, and achieve goals that are meaningful to them. Our work is guided by our core values - educate, enrich, inspire - and we operate with respect, integrity, accountability, and compassion. We center our students, striving to be exceptional in our programs while honoring our community of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. We believe in collaboration and a strong team, with an 88% retention rate of professional staff.

Position Summary

The Program Director is responsible for the effective management and continuous improvement of the Discovery, Explorers, and Pathfinders programs, ensuring that students receive comprehensive educational, therapeutic, and behavioral supports. The Director will provide instructional leadership, oversee compliance and IEP processes, supervise staff, and maintain strong communication with families, school districts, and community partners.

The Director has primary oversight of programs serving students with autism and intellectual disabilities, including daily operations, instructional quality, related service coordination, Behavior Support Plan implementation, and MCAS-Alt oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Instructional & Program Leadership

• Implement and supervise high-quality curriculum aligned with DESE standards and MA Curriculum Frameworks.
  
• Improve academic rigor and develop structures that support effective behavior support and crisis intervention.
  
• Conduct instructional observations, coach teachers, and oversee formal evaluation cycles.
  
• Analyze student data to guide instruction and develop re-teaching plans addressing learning gaps.
  
• Oversee MCAS-Alt, ensuring appropriate adaptations and assessment practices.

IEP, Assessment & Student Support

• Oversee all aspects of the IEP process, including meeting facilitation and progress monitoring.
  
• Support development of IEP goals, FBAs, Behavior Support Plans, and transition plans.
  
• Coordinate with BCBA, OT, PT, Nursing, and SLP teams to ensure all student needs are met.
  
• Review referral packets, conduct student/family intake visits, and manage rolling admissions.

Staff Supervision & Professional Culture

• Supervise and evaluate teachers and paraprofessionals.
  
• Provide ongoing, actionable feedback and ensure annual evaluations for all staff.
  
• Lead crisis management efforts, staff training, and systems of student support.
  
• Model professional conduct and foster a positive, collaborative culture.

Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to special education.
  
• Maintain adherence to organizational policies and legal responsibilities.
  
• Communicate with attorneys and districts as needed to resolve concerns or complaints.

Collaboration & Communication

• Build strong relationships with families, districts, and community organizations.
  
• Participate in the Student Services leadership team, including meetings, trainings, and professional development.
  
• Collaborate with counselors, social workers, psychologists, and community agencies to respond to student needs.

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Use data to evaluate program effectiveness and drive improvement.
  
• Prepare and present reports on student outcomes and program performance.
  
• Promote a culture of innovation, reflective practice, and ongoing professional learning.

Qualifications

• MA DESE Special Education Administrator license or license-eligibility required
  (DESE licensure in a related field required; BCBA will be considered).
  
• Master's degree in a related field.
  
• Minimum 3 years school-based experience with students with autism and complex disabilities (teacher or BCBA).
  
• Minimum 3 years administrative/supervisory experience, including teacher evaluation.
  Extensive knowledge of Massachusetts special education regulations.
  
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and drive program quality.
  
• Experience in specialized educational settings is strongly preferred.
  
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

This position participates in the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System.

This is a year-round position with a flexible start date before July 1, 2025.