STEPHEN GAYNOR SCHOOLNew York City, New York

ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Start Date: July 2022stephengaynor.org

OVERVIEW

A pioneer in special education, Stephen Gaynor School is an independent, nonprofit Pre-K, Lower, and Middle School for bright students with learning differences. Here, students receive the support needed to cultivate the skills necessary to excel in the world. In a nurturing environment, children gain confidence in their abilities as they overcome barriers to learning and realize academic success.

The Stephen Gaynor School is seeking a dynamic, collaborative and strategic admission professional as its next Enrollment Management Director starting July 2022. Reporting to the Head of School and sitting on the senior leadership team, the Director will serve as an important voice within the school’s decision-making structure, a key point of contact for current parents and other community members, and the leader of Gaynor’s efforts to be even more broadly known within the Pre-K through 8th grade educational community in New York City. In this work, the Director will lead a team of eight full- and part-time staff members.

MissionA pioneer in special education, Stephen Gaynor School is an independent Pre-K, Lower, and Middle School for bright students with learning differences. Founded in 1962, Stephen Gaynor School provides a highly individualized educational program in a rich, rigorous, and nurturing environment in which students gain the skills and confidence necessary to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

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SCHOOL HISTORY

Founded in 1962, Stephen Gaynor School was pioneered by two visionaries – Dr. Miriam Michael, a psychologist, and Yvette Siegel-Herzog, an educator - to provide a learning environment for bright students with learning challenges who often were incorrectly labeled as “slow learners.” Michael and Siegel-Herzog recognized that these students were caught in a cycle of academic failure and deserved an education where they could thrive and build self-esteem. The school opened its doors with five students, housed in a two-room Upper East Side apartment utilizing the individualized, multi-sensory teaching approach still in existence today and has since grown to nearly 400 students across a two-building campus close to Central Park.

“No one had the vision to reach these children. They all said, ‘These children can’t learn,’ but we knew that they could learn – they just learn in a different way,” according to Co-founder and Director of Education Siegel-Herzog. After almost sixty years, Michael’s and Siegel-Herzog’s vision has grown from an idea about a school that could help children with learning differences to one that has touched thousands of children.

THE SCHOOL

Stephen Gaynor School is all about the joy of learning. According to Siegel-Herzog, “from the moment a child is born, the world outside is absorbed and brought inside; if that world is loving and informational, that child will learn.” The principle of a nurturing, inclusive environment with individualized attention is the foundation of Gaynor. The expert faculty and staff provide unparalleled personal attention to students to be academically challenged, yet supported in their journey, something which allows students the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence necessary to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

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At a GlanceFounded: 1962

Total students: 365

Total faculty: 130

Faculty of color: 9.6%

Student/teacher ratio: 3-1

Financial aid budget: $1.5M

Students receiving aid: 20%

Endowment: $2.1M

Students ages three to 14 attend Gaynor with a range of learning differences, from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to speech, language, and reading delays such as dyslexia. Students benefit from a rich academic curriculum that is individualized to each unique child. The faculty and staff utilize a team approach to ensure students receive a “whole” education not only academically, but also mentally, socially, and emotionally. School psychologists are available in-house and work with students and parents to foster social-emotional learning throughout the child’s time at Gaynor.

Celebrating diversity of learning has been the core value at Gaynor, and the school is dedicated to promoting and advocating for diversity and inclusion within all aspects of the school community. Gaynor celebrates many types of diversity including ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, ability, religion, sexual orientation, family configuration, language, gender, and adoption status. The school recognizes a responsibility to create an inclusive environment as represented in its community values:• A diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and families, creating a rich environment for learning; • Both our commonalities and our differences in race, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic level, gender,

gender identity, sexual orientation, family structure, learning and physical abilities, and age; • A curriculum that reflects these differences; • Raising awareness of our local and global community by cultivating responsible citizenship.

With a goal to be the pathfinder for children until they can find the path themselves, Stephen Gaynor School crafted a thoughtfully designed strategic plan to continue to build upon school strengths and to improve areas of opportunity in four core areas referred to as our pillars: 1) curriculum, 2) faculty and staff recruitment and retention, 3), community values, and 4) resources to support the plan.

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Stephen Gaynor School is a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools, Organizational Member of the Orton-Gillingham Academy, and Member of the Academy’s Council of Accredited Programs. The Gaynor Program meets the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standard.

ACADEMICS

For over 50 years, Stephen Gaynor School has provided individualized academic programs tailored to each child’s unique learning needs and focused on educating the whole child. With average class sizes of 11 consisting of two full-time, master-level teachers as well as in-house specialists in areas of Speech-Language Pathology, Reading, Math, and Occupational Therapy, students receive the highest level of support and encouragement during their time at Gaynor to develop academically, socially, and emotionally. The well-rounded curriculum is built upon multi-sensory techniques which allow students to learn in their own style and at their own pace. The dedicated faculty work in collaboration with in-house specialists to provide one-on-one or small group instruction, ensuring each child’s needs are met.

Early Childhood (Age range 3 – 6)Early intervention plays a critical role in changing the academic path for the students at Gaynor. By providing the support and academic tools needed to be successful to children as young as at 3, students associate learning as a positive and fun experience. The Early Childhood Program, (EC), combines traditional early childhood experiences with the most effective and innovative methods in special education to help children mitigate learning challenges, make great strides in their educational, social, and emotional development, and put them on a path to sustained academic success. Designed to develop the whole child from a young age, EC focuses on educating both mind and body. Students enjoy classrooms designed for center-based work, an on-site sensory gym, an outdoor garden, and a child-friendly full kitchen to help children learn the basics of good nutrition.

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Lower School (Age range 5 -11)In the Lower School, students become more independent, self-aware, and confident. Students are grouped according to age, emotional development, academic abilities, and social compatibility and advance through an integrated academic program inspiring creativity and self-expression. The hands-on curriculum includes math, writing, social studies, science, visual and performing arts and reading utilizing an Orton-Gillingham approach, allowing students to work towards goals of decoding, fluency, and comprehension.

Middle School (Ages 11 -14)Students in the Middle School take even more accountability for their education, and further develop the skills essential to continuing their path as lifelong learners. Individualized instruction continues with the core curriculum, and Middle School students enjoy added opportunities to participate in clubs, project-based learning, student advocacy, and transition preparation classes. The Placement Program at Gaynor works in collaboration with parents to provide comprehensive transition planning to ensure each individual student is placed in the school that is the best fit for them upon graduation from Gaynor.

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Matriculations for the class of 2021 include the following high schools:

Bay Ridge Prep

The Benjamin School

Blair Academy

Brewster Academy

The Browning School

Churchill

Copenhagen International School

Dwight School

Eagle Hill School

Forman School

Grace Church School

Greenwich High School

The Leffell School

LREI

Marvelwood School

Mary McDowell Friends School

Masters School

Millbrook School

New Exploration into Science Mathematics and Technology (NEST+M)

Proctor Academy

Ross School

The Summit School

Winston Preparatory School

Yeshiva Prep

York Preparatory School

High School Matriculation

THE ARTS

The Arts at Gaynor play a critical role in students’ development both creatively and academically. Through self-expression in art, drama, music, and digital photography, students improve reading fluency and refine their motor skills contributing to their continued success on their academic journeys. Students benefit from two art rooms, one of which has a kiln, a digital photography studio, and a recently opened 300-seat theater space and music room.

ATHLETICS

The Physical Education program exposes students to a wide range of various team and recreational sports during the school day, boosting development of fundamental movement skills and spatial awareness. Throughout the curriculum, students improve coordination, strength, agility, flexibility, and body control as well as develop strong cooperative skills, a respect for rules and procedures, game concepts, and the value of goal setting. The inclusive environment provides students important life skills such as time management, establishing healthy habits, and becoming respectful leaders, teammates, and competitors. Gaynor is a member of the American International Private School League (AIPSL) with interscholastic competitive teams in six sports.

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STUDENT LIFE

Learning doesn’t stop at the bell. At Gaynor, students have multiple opportunities to continue their educational and social development through experiences outside of the classroom. The Gaynor After School Program keeps students motivated and engaged after the regular school day ends, offering a broad variety of activities from sports and scientific exploration to community service and cooking. Summer Camp is available for Early Childhood and Lower School students providing fun activities, group games, cooking club, arts and crafts, and trips to the playground. Activities serve to reinforce academic skills and build self-esteem while being fun and engaging.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK

New York City, with an estimated population just under 8.5 million, is the most populous city in the United States and boasts a land area of approximately 300 square miles. Situated on a massive natural harbor, New York City today consists of five boroughs, each of which is a separate county of the State of New York. At its core, New York is an international city. Over one-third of the population was born somewhere other than the U.S., making it one of the most fabulously diverse cities in the world.

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As a top-tier metropolis that showcases everything from architecture and art to science and sports, New York is a city that can speak anybody’s language. NYC’s art scene is unparalleled. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, and other museums present great art from around the world, while galleries in the Lower East Side and Chelsea promote new talent. With more to savor than art, spots such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Louis Armstrong House Museum, the Tenement Museum, One World Observatory, and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum are popular places for residents and tourists alike. Additionally, Broadway, Lincoln Center, the Barclays Center, and many smaller venues mean it’s never hard to find a concert or performance.

New York’s professional sports scene includes nearly every type of game imaginable. It’s never a dull moment for New York sports; NYC is the place where the famous “Shot Heard ’Round the World” and Willis Reed’s limping out onto the court in the NBA Finals were etched into history, and where the world’s best athletes compete in marquee annual events like the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and the New York City Marathon.

The city is a foodie’s heaven. An estimated 60 international cuisines are served in the city’s 23,000 restaurants. And the chefs are always innovating, whether combining old-school recipes with new ideas for main courses or creating new desserts that people will line up for hours to try. The city has thousands of places to dine featuring cuisines from around the world.

If the city itself cannot hold your attention, it provides easy access to spectacular beaches on Long Island, picturesque mountains upstate, and rolling Hudson River valleys—all just a few hours’ drive from the heart of Manhattan.

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THE POSITION

The Enrollment Management Director serves on the Senior Leadership Team and reports directly to the Head of School. The admission process at Gaynor serves as a critical introduction to the school’s mission and program. The Director will lead a rolling admission process centered on building a deep understanding of each applicant’s learning profile and needs. Additionally, the Director will play a vital role in representing and promoting the school and its mission with prospective families and the region’s educational community. As such, they are one of Gaynor’s “relationship builders-in-chief.” Here too, however, the Director has internal collaborators to hone and amplify messaging about Gaynor’s value proposition inclusive of the unique nature of the school and its exceptional work in special education at the Early Childhood – 8th Grade level. The current and primary priorities and opportunities and challenges include:

Expand Awareness of the School within the Region. Despite its role as a pioneer in special education and its institutional and programmatic strength, Gaynor families frequently have lacked awareness of the school before researching resources to support their child’s emerging learning needs. The new Enrollment Management Director will harness their professional network and work collaboratively with others at the school to expand the school’s reputational reach. The new Director will need to be thoughtful and proactive in engaging with a range of families and continue to seek out new markets with a particular focus on building the pool for Gaynor’s Early Childhood program and expanding the diversity and dimension of the student and family populations.

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Bring New Eyes and Energy to the Admission and Enrollment Operation. Due to the nature of the school and the variable timing in which parents seek support for their child’s learning needs, the admission and enrollment process at Gaynor is dynamic. The new Director will have the opportunity to assess the current strengths and growth edges of the admission and enrollment programs and practices, while also bringing a combination of fresh perspectives, expertise, and enthusiasm to invigorate and advance the team’s work.

Center Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the School’s Admission and Enrollment Practices. In conjunction with Gaynor’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, the Director will have the opportunity to align the School’s outreach, processes and procedures with DEI best practices. Additionally, the new Director will become the primary contact between Gaynor and a number of existing partner organizations, and the individual tasked with initiating relationships with additional organizations serving students who have a need for Gaynor’s expertise and would bring greater diversity and dimension to the school community.

Creatively Reimagine On and Off-Campus Admission Programming. As has been the case for other schools, the pandemic gave Gaynor an opportunity to reimagine its outreach and on-campus programming due to the restrictions around Covid mandates. The new Enrollment Management Director has the opportunity to build off these innovations and to seek ways to creatively engage families.

Serve as a Key Voice Among Gaynor’s Senior Administrative Team. The Director will join a dedicated group of senior leaders focused on advancing the school as it continues to evolve and grow. In this work, the Director will represent an essential school operation and contribute a lens reflecting their work with internal and external constituencies.

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DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Stephen Gaynor School seeks an experienced leader who possess many, if not all of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree with an advanced degree preferred;• Significant professional background in Early Childhood, Lower School, and/or Middle School

admission;• An expansive professional network, preferably focused within the New York City educational

community (public, charter, private/Early Childhood-8th Grade, diagnosticians, and independent learning specialists);

• Advanced intercultural competencies and a commitment and ability to develop an outreach, admission, and enrollment operation centered in diversity, equity, and inclusion best practice;

• The skill set to manage a team and provide clear expectations and feedback, as well as professional development support;

• An orientation toward thinking creatively and strategically and utilizing data to guide decisions.• Well-honed executive function skills, including an ability to manage multiple projects without losing

sight of the big picture or the minute but critical details; • A joyful and collaborative spirit that inspires colleagues to participate in the school’s enrollment work

with enthusiasm.

And who is:

• A collaborator extraordinaire who brings energy and enthusiasm to their work;• Committed to assisting parents/caregivers in finding an educational match for their students with

learning differences; • A polished speaker and skilled writer;• A generous and empathetic listener;• A proactive, action-oriented individual who is excited to take on challenges;• A lifelong learner who actively seeks opportunities for professional growth and development;• Driven to be an active member of their work community, including being a visible presence and

cultivator of positive culture;• An individual with impeccable ethical standards.

TO APPLY

We invite Interested and qualified candidates to contact the consultants in confidence at their earliest convenience. Ideally, this search will conclude in early February. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing interest in this particular position;• A current resumé.

Selected candidates will also be asked to provide the following: • Responses to writing prompts specific to this position; and • A list of five professional references with name, phone number, and email address of each.

(References will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission.)

Lisa ParsonsSearch ConsultantLisa.parsons@carneysandoe.com

Chris BoyleSearch ConsultantChris.boyle@carneysandoe.com

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