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Executive Director

Employer
The Learning Clinic
Location
Brooklyn, Connecticut

Opportunity Overview

The Learning Clinic, located on 300 acres in picturesque rural town of Brooklyn Connecticut, was established 40 years ago and currently serves approximately 50 students with autism and other learning and social/emotional challenges from early elementary school to post high school. TLC is nationally recognized for its evidence-based education and treatment model, the broad range of programs including traditional classroom education with a low teacher to student ratio complemented by unique programming, and success in supporting students to achieve independent living skills.  Since 1980, TLC has incorporated computers into the classroom to provide innovative curriculum and self- paced instruction. TLC’s current, cutting edge technology lab was designed by students and staff to continue to foster innovation across disciplines.  Through the teacher and peer mentorship opportunities and the personalized, self-paced mastery educational approach and culture, TLC inspires, supports, and elevates students to embrace their full potential as students and citizens.

Dr. Raymond DuCharme, PhD, founded TLC and has successfully guided the school from inception to its current success. Dr. DuCharme and TLC’s Board of Directors are now working closely with our executive search team to identify a candidate for Executive Director to help lead TLC successfully into the future.  Dr. DuCharme and the Board will ensure that the new Executive Director is fully supported and informed as she or he assumes the very important responsibilities as a leader in TLC, empowered to innovate and grow consistent with the core values that have served the TLC community so well over the last four decades. 

In order to fulfill this role, the Executive Director must have deep experience with and appreciation for rigorous evidenced-based education and care and combine this with empathy and compassion for the special cohort of students which TLC serves. S/he will bring a “hands on approach” to TLC and will work closely with the cadre of education, administrative and clinical staff to foster a safe and productive learning environment.

Most importantly, the Executive Director will have deep caring for student well-being and progress and for staff morale and fulfillment.

Opportunities for the Executive Director

Of paramount importance will be continuing to refine TLC’s commitment to personalized and evidenced based care on the Brooklyn campus. The learnings and intellectual property accumulated over 40 years is a rich data repository which could be used for multiple purposes such as expanding TLC’s student population, enhancing current programming, as well as developing measurement and treatment plans which can be broadly and usefully employed in other programs across the country.

Another important success measure for the Executive Director will be increasing enrollment consist with student requirements and program and staff capacity.

This will be accomplished by increasing outreach to school districts, family counselors, and state programs in the Northeast as well as across the country.

The affiliation with the Maine summer program, described above, continues to grow and a long-term agreement to continue and perhaps broaden this connection is important. This would cement the summer program as a vibrant addition to the core academic and therapeutic services in Brooklyn.

Finally, the Executive Director will work with the Board of Directors to attract new board members who embrace the school’s goals and can provide effective governance leadership for the decades.

Qualifications

In addition to the personal attributes described earlier in this document the Executive Director will have no less than 10 years’ experience of demonstrated successful leadership in programs for special needs students — educational, therapeutic, operational, and financial experience and success. Experience integrating educational and therapeutic programs is required. The Executive Director will enjoy closely working with staff and students and become an active participant in school activities.

S/he will be clinically trained at the doctoral level and have experience working with students with autism. Rigorous use of assessment for educational and treatment planning will be part of the Executive Director’s prior experience and s/he will be facile in presenting and sharing methodologies and measurement practices with TLC staff, students, and parents, national organizations, and programs with similar student enrollment.

S/he will have successful experience expanding program enrollment in h/his prior assignments and developing relationships with programs outside of TLC who will employ TLC’s assessment, education, and treatment programs.

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