Head of Inclusion at Shining Hope For Communities

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership for Inclusive Learning

• Co-create and uphold a powerful, equity-centered vision for inclusive learning at Sankoré, ensuring all learners—especially those with diverse learning needs—are supported to thrive.
• Use data (student learning profiles, IEP progress, assessments, interventions, family and community feedback) and research to shape systems that continuously improve outcomes for learners with disabilities and learning differences.
• Build and maintain sustainable structures—including documentation, intervention frameworks, referral systems, progress-monitoring tools, and inclusion practices—to ensure long-term impact and scalability.
• Leverage strategic partnerships with specialists, therapists, community knowledge holders, and inclusive education networks to enrich support for learners and Learning Guides.
• Lead efforts to position Sankoré as a national and regional model for inclusive, progressive, and equity-driven education.

Inclusive Curriculum & Learning Design

• Lead the adaptation, design, and documentation of an inclusive curriculum that is accessible, rigorous, joyful, identity-affirming, and responsive to learners with diverse needs.
• Ensure the curriculum integrates universal design for learning (UDL), differentiated instruction, multimodal approaches, individualized learning supports, and accommodations aligned with global best practices in inclusive education.
• Ensure assessments reflect a whole-child approach and are meaningful, flexible, and responsive to learners’ varied abilities, communication modes, and strengths.
• Collaborate with curriculum teams to break down big ideas into accessible learning experiences across grade levels—ensuring barrier-free participation for all students.
• Guide the selection of adaptive learning resources, assistive technologies, inclusive literature, and tools that reflect Sankoré’s values and support learner independence.
• Support curriculum iteration and growth as we expand toward Grade 12, ensuring inclusion systems evolve appropriately across developmental stages.

Instructional Coaching & Professional Learning

• Build and lead a robust professional learning program focused on inclusive practices, differentiation, IEP implementation, behavioral support, and reflective practice.
• Lead onboarding and ongoing development of Learning Guides and support staff (e.g., teaching assistants, inclusion aides, specialists) to build confidence and competence in inclusive pedagogy.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide coaching, modeling strategies for accessible instruction, co-teaching approaches, and inclusive classroom management.
• Strengthen and iterate Learning Guide development rubrics, personal learning plans, and portfolios to embed inclusive teaching standards and competencies.
• Champion pedagogy that is agentic, inclusive, joyful, rigorous, culturally grounded, and affirming of neurodiversity.

Learning Innovation, Research & Inclusive Practice Development

• Embed research-based inclusive practices and support staff in experimenting, piloting, and reflecting on new approaches that support diverse learners.
• Stay informed about global and local trends in special needs education, neurodiversity, therapeutic interventions, and inclusive models—and adapt them thoughtfully to Sankoré’s context.
• Attend and present at relevant professional learning convenings, networks, and conferences focused on inclusion and special needs education.
• Build and sustain partnerships with schools, universities, therapeutic centers, and research organizations to strengthen inclusive practice.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, inquiry, documentation, and reflection across the school, with a particular focus on inclusion.
• Collaborate with learners, families, educators, and external specialists to co-create interventions and adapt learning experiences.
• Explore inclusive models rooted in African knowledge systems, community wisdom, and global progressive pedagogies.

Team & Culture Leadership

• Model Sankoré’s core values through compassionate, equity-driven leadership that centers dignity and respect for all learners.
• Collaborate with Heads of School, Academic Leadership, Operations, and Wellbeing to align systems that sustain a holistic, joyful, inclusive school environment.
• Build trusting relationships with staff, families, and learners—ensuring transparent communication, shared purpose, and strong advocacy for inclusive practices.
• Address conflict with clarity, care, and professionalism, modeling courageous conversations and values-aligned decision-making.
• Champion an affirming and equitable school culture that elevates children’s voices, honors neurodiversity, and embraces diverse lived experiences.
• Contribute to the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of high-impact educators and specialists committed to inclusive education.

In the first year you will…

Before School Launch

• Design inclusive curriculum adaptations and support the selection of accessible learning materials, assistive technologies, and resources that meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Contribute to the hiring and onboarding of Learning Guides and support staff, ensuring strong capacity for inclusive and differentiated instruction.
• Co-lead learning design for the founding team, ensuring universal design for learning (UDL), individualized supports, and inclusive pedagogies are embedded from the start.
• Set up school-wide systems for inclusion: IEP/ILP processes, intervention pathways, progress-monitoring systems, documentation templates, accommodations protocols, communication channels with families, and referral procedures.
• Establish structures for coaching, planning, observation, and feedback tailored to inclusive teaching practices.
• Support family recruitment through inclusive community events, orientations, and conversations that build trust and communicate the school’s inclusive vision.

During Staff Orientation

• Co-lead vision alignment to ensure all staff share a deep understanding of inclusion, neurodiversity, child protection, and whole-child development.
• Lead training on inclusive pedagogy, behavior support, differentiation, co-teaching models, and accessible classroom setup.
• Collaborate on building school schedules, intervention blocks, and support models that allow equitable access to learning for all children.
• Build early trust with staff and families by introducing inclusive systems, sharing expectations, and establishing communication pathways for ongoing support.

First Month of School

• Mentor Learning Guides and support staff daily, modeling inclusive practices and co-teaching strategies.
• Observe classrooms to identify strengths, challenges, and immediate needs for learners requiring additional support.
• Launch and refine coaching structures, team meetings, inclusion check-ins, and data reflection routines.
• Establish or adjust IEP/ILP supports based on real-time learner needs and assessments.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Facilitate regular professional development focused on inclusion, behavior support, assistive technology, data-driven intervention, and reflective practice.
• Monitor learner outcomes (academic, social-emotional, behavioral) and adapt curriculum accommodations, intervention plans, and support systems accordingly.
• Lead inclusive learning exhibitions, portfolio showcases, and parent workshops that celebrate diverse learner strengths and growth.
• Support staff wellbeing and ongoing capacity building through retreats, reflective learning spaces, and coaching cycles.
• Track and share progress toward schoolwide inclusion and learning goals, ensuring transparency and continuous improvement.
• Maintain strong relationships with families, specialists, and external partners to ensure coordinated, holistic support for learners with diverse needs.

About You

You are a learning designer, educator coach, and systems builder who dreams big and delivers thoughtfully.

You have the following experience:

Required Experience

• 10+ years of experience in education, including work as a special needs educator, inclusion coordinator, learning support specialist, instructional coach, curriculum lead, or school leader.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing, adapting, and differentiating curriculum to meet the needs of diverse learners, including those with disabilities, learning differences, and exceptionalities.
• Proven ability to design and lead adult learning, including professional development on inclusive pedagogy, differentiation, behavior support, and universal design for learning (UDL).
• Familiarity with progressive, inquiry-focused, and child-centered curricula (e.g., PYP, Common Ground Collaborative, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, Kenyan Competency-Based Curriculum), and experience adapting these models for accessibility and inclusion.
• Preferred: Knowledge of Kenyan and/or international frameworks for special needs education, regulatory requirements, child protection expectations, and accreditation processes.