Job Description

Position Overview

The Dean of Students leads the school’s efforts to create a positive, structured, disciplined school culture. The Dean of Students reports directly to the Principal, who provides guidance and direction and sets school policy. The Dean of Students is a main school contact for parents and guardians. A successful Dean of Students is passionate about supporting our students, adapts to changes and cultivates productive relationships with all members of the school community, including faculty, students and families.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

(1) School Culture

• Work in partnership with the leadership team to develop a positive, structured, achievement-oriented, and creative school culture.
• Lead the implementation of values integration and character development within the classroom community.
• Be highly present and visible during school hours, relentlessly ensuring the school has a strong culture.
• Proactively circulate throughout classrooms and hallways during the day to gain valuable context on student behavior and help support positive school culture.
• Support execution and coordination of cross-school instructional and cultural initiatives.
• Lead breakfast, lunch/recess, dismissal, and other transitional experiences and whole-school operations.

(2) Student Discipline

• Serve as a point person for discipline/culture issues; in this role, the dean is the primary contact person for all acute discipline issues.
• Reinforce the effective use of a school-wide behavior plan.
• Aid teachers to improve their instructional practice, especially as it relates to issues of discipline, relationships with students, and school culture.
• Model positive interactions with students, as well as a variety of ways to handle misbehavior and disruptions (principles of Love and Logic, Lemov techniques, etc).
• Assist teachers, students, and parents in the effective creation and implementation of individual behavior plans (in conjunction with the Social Worker/Guidance Counselor).

(3) Family Communication

• Recognize and celebrate exemplary student achievement and behavior, communicating with families of students on a regular basis.
• Contact families about attendance and truancy on a daily basis, primarily via telephone. Because much of this work is done via phone, the person in this role must exhibit exemplary communication skills and, ideally, be a fluent Spanish-speaker.
• Assist the Social Workers/Guidance Counselors in designing and executing parent workshops.

(4) Teacher Coaching and Professional Development

• Plan, implement, and provide ongoing professional development and feedback to all staff, focusing on building positive student relationships, student culture, and classroom community.
• Support teachers in developing their classroom management and instructional practice. Aid teachers to improve their instructional practice, especially as it relates to issues of discipline, relationships with students, and school culture.
• Conduct classroom observations and follow-up with targeted feedback and support to help teachers become even more effective.
• Communicate teacher performance to principal, highlighting teachers in need of principal coaching due to insufficient performance.
• Organize summer training and professional development days in coordination with other Deans and the Principal.
• Recognize and celebrate staff professional growth and success.

(5) Operational Support

• Teach classes when necessary, for coverage purposes or professional development of teachers.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team regarding daily schedule, class schedule, and student placements in conjunction with the Director of Operations.
• Participate in the teacher recruitment and hiring process, in collaboration with the Principal.

Qualifications

• At least one year of adult management/teacher coaching
• Two or more years of classroom teaching experience preferred
• Demonstrated success developing student programs and positive school culture
• Demonstrated success planning staff professional development and leading teams of teachers
• Extreme flexibility to accommodate multiple priorities and a strong work ethic to accommodate high level of responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment and a healthy measure of the character traits we value: zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude and a sense of humor.
• A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture
• Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of students within our KIPP NYC communities
• Bachelor’s degree required

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $98,663 - $158,760. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and the scope of responsibility within the Dean role. KIPP NYC will evaluate a candidate’s years of experience at point of hire to determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our Dean salary scale.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous Time-Off including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives including 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. It is important that you notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization.

KIPP NYC LLC is an anti-racist organization that believes in the importance of being diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. BIPOC, women, gender expansive, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.