Director of Neurodivergence and Learning Optimization

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Neurodivergence and Learning Optimization

Position Overview

Since 1973, Dunn School has been a pioneer in supporting bright, college-bound students with learning differences within a rigorous college-preparatory environment. The next chapter of that work seeks not merely to preserve a proud legacy, but to reimagine it for a new generation of students, educators, and families.

Formerly the Learning Strategies Program, the Dunn Neurodivergence Center will serve as the hub for innovation, support, and research around neurodiversity, executive functioning, learning optimization, and student flourishing in grades 6–12.

Dunn School seeks an entrepreneurial, visionary, and deeply collaborative educational leader to serve as the inaugural Director of Neurodivergence and Learning Optimization. This individual will build upon Dunn’s longstanding strengths in individualized support while leading the school toward a more integrated, evidence-based, and future-oriented model of learning.

The Director will report directly to the Associate Head of School and serve as a senior institutional leader responsible for supporting students, families, faculty, and staff; advancing professional learning; partnering with admissions and advancement efforts; and helping Dunn reclaim its place as a thought leader in neurodivergent education.

The Director will work closely with colleagues across academics, student life, residential life, counseling, admissions, educational technology, advancement, and the Center for Human-Centered Innovation in Education to ensure that Dunn’s approach to neurodivergence is woven throughout the fabric of school life.

Opportunities and ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership and Vision

• Lead the Neurodivergence Center and articulate a coherent, research-informed philosophy of neurodivergent education for Dunn School.

• Develop and implement a long-term strategic vision for neurodivergence support across grades 6–12.

• Position Dunn as a national leader in neurodivergent education through conference presentations, publications, partnerships, and institutional storytelling.

• Build meaningful relationships with peer schools and professional organizations, including active institutional membership and participation in the Association of LD Schools (ALDS) and related organizations.

• Stay current on emerging research, best practices, assistive technologies, and innovations in neurodivergent education.

Student Support and Program Oversight

• Oversee all student accommodations, educational support systems, and learning plans across grades 6–12.

• Supervise the administration and implementation of standardized testing accommodations, SSD processes, and educational documentation in collaboration with the Dean of Academics and College Counseling team.

• Teach and advise a small caseload of students while maintaining a visible presence within the program.

• Expand and strengthen Dunn’s Executive Group model, with particular emphasis on executive functioning, self-advocacy, resilience, and student independence.

• Develop systems that help all students understand how they learn best and become increasingly independent learners.

• Ensure that support structures leverage Dunn’s unique residential and boarding environment.

Faculty Development and Institutional Capacity Building

• Design and lead professional development for faculty and staff, with the expectation that the Neurodivergence Center will contribute meaningfully to schoolwide professional learning.

• Solicit regular and ongoing feedback from faculty to build and maintain effective learning plans that remain responsive to real-time evolution in students’ needs.

• Serve as an ongoing resource to teachers, coaches, advisors, and residential faculty in understanding neurodiversity, executive functioning, anxiety, and student learning profiles.

• Support faculty in implementing evidence-based instructional strategies and strengths-based practices.

• Help cultivate institutional expertise around neurodivergence among both educators and staff.

Admissions, Family, and Community Partnership

• Partner closely with Admissions to evaluate applicants, support enrollment decisions, and help communicate Dunn’s approach to neurodivergent education to prospective families.

• Collaborate with Advancement in identifying grant opportunities, cultivating philanthropic support, and telling the story of the Neurodivergence Center.

• Strengthen communication systems with families and ensure transparency around program goals, expectations, and outcomes.

• Serve as a visible ambassador for the program within the broader independent school community.

Research, Innovation, and Technology

• Lead ongoing assessment and evaluation of program effectiveness and student outcomes.

• Partner with Educational Technology to explore how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies can optimize learning and support neurodivergent students.

• Develop schoolwide systems for measuring growth in executive functioning, self-advocacy, and learning independence.

• Engage in substantive research and program development to ensure Dunn remains at the forefront of neurodivergent education.

Leadership and School Life

• Serve as a major direct report to the Associate Head of School and an active member of the school’s leadership team.

• Supervise members of the Neurodivergence Center team and support their growth through coaching, mentorship, and evaluation.

• Collaborate closely with health services, residential life, academics, college counseling, and student life to ensure integrated support systems.

• Teach enrichment courses, mini-term experiences, and contribute to Dunn’s outdoor education, leadership, advisory, residential, and co-curricular programs.

• Coach athletics or extracurricular activities and participate fully in the life of the school.

• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Head of School and Associate Head of School.

Core Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Deep expertise in neurodiversity, executive functioning, and evidence-based interventions for students in grades 6–12.

• Experience leading educational programs and managing teams.

• A commitment to parent partnership in support of student learning.

• A commitment to strengths-based, student-centered education.

• Exceptional communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• The ability to build systems while preserving the relational heart of student support.

• Experience designing and delivering professional development.

• Knowledge of assistive technologies and emerging applications of artificial intelligence in education.

• A growth mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to innovate.

• A commitment to lifelong learning, collaboration, and reflective practice.

• A sense of humor, humility, and a deep belief in the potential of young people.

• A commitment to Dunn School’s mission and educational pillars.

Preferred Education

Master’s degree in any discipline

Certification, advanced study, extended learning, and/or training in learning differences, neurodivergence, Universal Design for Learning, or executive functioning

Other Requirements

Successful completion of the following:

• criminal background and driving record check

• employment reference checks with your past and current employers

• social media review

• satisfactory proof of identity and legal authorization to work in the U.S.

About Dunn School

Dunn is a community centered on educating the whole student. For us, whole student education is not just a meaningless phrase, instead it captures all of what we try to do at Dunn in and out of the classroom. Our curriculum, co-curricular programs, advisory, evaluative systems, and pedagogical approach are measured by our values, and this is how we know whole student education is more than just a phrase.

Dunn School was founded in 1957 by a dynamic educator who embodied the spirit of our motto, “Ne Tentes Aut Perfice,” essentially translating to mean “all or nothing” — a statement that reflects a special entrepreneurial spirit urging Dunn community members, adults and students alike, to accomplish what they set out to do. Following in the traditions of our founder, Tony Dunn, our professional community members throughout the decades have helped build a vibrant community of kind learners who pride themselves on building lasting relationships with each other. Additionally, Dunn is a Round Square School, dedicated to character development via the IDEALS in practice: Internationalism, Democracy, Environmentalism, Adventure, Leadership, and Service.

All this unfolds in the beautiful Santa Barbara County backdrop of Los Olivos, California, nestled in the picturesque mountains of the Santa Ynez Valley and within a stone’s throw of the Pacific Ocean. Outdoor opportunities abound, and what better way to experience them than from within such an encouraging and nurturing professional community?

Salary and Benefits

This is a full time, exempt (salaried) position, which is eligible for Dunn School’s full benefits package including: medical, dental, vision, retirement match up to 7.5%, life/AD&D, tuition remission, and free meals in our dining hall.

The salary range for this position is $84,000 to $97,000. Actual salary will be dependent upon experience.

How to Apply

Apply using the link below:

Dunn School Employment Opportunities

Submit with your resume a list of all previous school or educational institution employers, including city and state, in accordance with CA SB 848

Dunn School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks a diverse and broad spectrum of qualified candidates. Dunn's background screening process requires employees to undergo a social media check, satisfactory reference checks with prior and current employers, and a successful criminal background screening.