ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education , a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking an Education Program Director to join our award-winning Special Education team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction!

If you thrive in a collaborative, goal-oriented environment focused on meaningful outcomes for students with special education needs, seek a career filled with genuine purpose, and possess strong problem-solving skills, compassion and exceptional dedication —  We Should Talk!  

As the Education Program Director , you will play a pivotal role in transforming Elementary School  student outcomes by championing excellence in instruction and fostering an environment of continuous academic growth. Serving as the instructional leader, you will inspire and guide our dedicated staff to consistently deliver high-quality teaching practices aligned with ChanceLight's proven educational strategies. Your leadership will ensure that policies and procedures are implemented effectively, creating a supportive and efficient learning environment where every student can thrive.

‖ Responsibilities Include:

• Providing visionary leadership and strategic guidance to elevate student achievement and operational excellence by supervising staff performance, implementing targeted performance management plans, identifying professional development needs, and actively engaging in continuous learning opportunities.
• Participating proactively and strategically in the hiring and selection processes to build and sustain a highly effective and cohesive site team.
• Guiding and assisting teachers in creating and managing classroom schedules, maintaining accurate student data systems, and facilitating seamless student transition plans tailored to each student's individual goals.
• Consulting with and supporting teachers in the classroom to effectively teach essential social, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills to students.
• Supervising staff by clearly assigning responsibilities, facilitating personalized development plans, consistently monitoring performance, providing targeted feedback, and coaching employees toward professional growth and effectiveness.
• Recognizing accomplishments promptly and addressing performance issues constructively to maintain a productive and positive operational environment.
• Ensuring a safe and secure learning atmosphere for students and staff through diligent oversight of site and classroom operations, and adherence to established protocols for reporting and resolving incidents.
• Maintaining full compliance with contractual and state-specific requirements by ensuring staff clearly understand and consistently achieve defined success criteria outlined in agreements and state guidelines.
• Overseeing comprehensive managerial responsibilities, including daily school operations such as scheduling, custodial services, facility maintenance, food services, transportation, administration, budgeting, resource allocation, and fostering productive district and community relationships.
• Representing ChanceLight Education professionally and effectively within the community, district forums, and local engagements to strengthen partnerships and promote organizational excellence.
• Communicating and collaborating proactively with families, district personnel, and community stakeholders to build supportive networks that enhance student success and organizational effectiveness.
• Analyzing staff professional development needs and strategically aligning training initiatives with ChanceLight’s instructional vision and district objectives.
• Demonstrating impactful leadership, effective team-building capabilities, and exceptional written communication skills.
• Instructing, monitoring, and evaluating teachers and students on the effective utilization of learning materials and educational technology to ensure instructional fidelity and optimize student outcomes.
• Observing, evaluating, and documenting staff and student performance consistently to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making.
• Maintaining comprehensive and accurate records of student progress and development, ensuring timely updates in alignment with legal mandates, ChanceLight policies, and district requirements.
• Compiling and analyzing student assessment data meticulously to measure growth, inform instructional strategies, and implement targeted academic interventions for individual students and the overall site.
• Modeling and overseeing the implementation of ChanceLight-endorsed instructional methods and strategies that promote active learning experiences and align with the site’s educational objectives.
• Managing student behavior positively and proactively through implementation of evidence-based behavior interventions and supportive strategies.
• Participating actively in assurance and accreditation processes to achieve and sustain high standards and meet or exceed established performance goals.
• Working collaboratively with the site team, field-level support, and national resources to advance shared goals and organizational success.

‖ Qualifications Required:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in education or a closely related field of study.
• Master's degree or higher in educational leadership, special education, behavioral health or a closely related field of study preferred.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining an education leadership, principal, general administration or related credential.
• Licensed currently or in the process of obtaining a special education instruction credential.
• Minimum 5yrs prior experience in special education services and compliance, particularly for students with severe learning, emotional behavioral disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and/or other related disabilities.
• Minimum 3yrs prior experience working in an educational leadership or school administrator position.
• Comprehensive knowledge of administrative and school operations, admission and enrollment procedures, accreditation laws and regulations.
• Prior experience and/or knowledge in the development, assessment, and management of curriculum, content areas and instruction.
• Well-versed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) including positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), effective teaching strategies, classroom management systems, data-based decision making, and functional analysis/behavior intervention plans.
• Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that help move them toward realistic goals.
• Proven ability to build and maintain multiple relationships with students, parents, teachers and community and/or district partners.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem solving, and decision-making ability.
• Knowledge of relevant technology including experience with instructional technology, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry and basic office equipment.
• Skilled leader who exhibits the characteristics of servant leadership, looking to the needs of the team and seeking to help solve problems and promote personal development.

ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education is the nation’s leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 45 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than 240,000 student lives !

Learn more about our history, our mission and the program services we provide by visiting the link below:

At ChanceLight we believe in providing more than just a job, as a member of our team you'll receive the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! Your path to a truly rewarding career starts here – where growth, empowerment, and collaboration define our culture; and every day is a  Chance   to transform lives through education!

‖ Perks and Benefits Include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• FREE Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• FREE Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance 
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off 
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Saving Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development
• And So Much More!

If you're ready to start making lasting impacts on the lives of students and contribute to the creation of a brighter future — This Is Your Chance !

Join us and together, we can empower students to overcome challenges, build confidence and unlock their full potential!

Careers, With ChanceLight Work. With Purpose.

^{Copyright © 2025 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company  *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based on role and employment status.}  

Education

• Bachelors or better in Education or related field

• Masters or better in Related Field of Study

Licenses & Certifications

• Active or In Process
• Education Administrator
• Special Ed Certification

Skills

• Special Education
• Elementary Education
• Leadership
• Decision Making
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
• Emergency Management
• Budget Management
• Community Relations
• Parent Counseling & Train
• Teacher Mentoring/Training
• Performance Management
• Performance Motivation
• Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
• Behavior Intervention Plans - BIP
• Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Emotional Disturbance
• Behavioral Disorders
• Learning Disabilities
• Crisis Intervention
• Student Development
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• Curriculum Development
• Classroom Management
• Interpersonal Skills
• Computer Skills

Behaviors

• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them

Motivations

• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.