Job Description

Overview

Uncommon Schools is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Pre-K Dean to lead and oversee the operations, academics, and culture of a single Pre-K site within our larger network of Pre-K programs in New York City. The Pre-K Dean will play a critical role in ensuring the success of our youngest learners by fostering a positive and enriching environment for students, staff, and families.

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Conduct regular classroom observations to support and coach teachers in delivering high-quality instruction.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback through debrief sessions to enhance teaching practices.
• Administer assessment cycles, including planning, scheduling, and reviewing data to drive instructional decisions.
• Facilitate assessment cycles, including quality assurance of materials, teacher/student preparation, and scheduling.
• Implement pre-K curriculum across all classrooms with fidelity and support for teachers and students
• Plan and facilitate professional development sessions tailored to the needs of Pre-K staff, including reteach lessons and response curriculum.
• Conduct deep analysis of student work and data to drive instructional adjustments and improvements.
• Monitor progress against assessment cycle benchmarks and implement responsive action plans.

Pre-K Daily Systems Management

• Support and collaborate with the Operations Teams to ensure on the daily flow of the school day to ensure smooth and efficient operations, including but not limited to:
  • Arrival and dismissal procedures
  • Meal times (breakfast, lunch, snack)
  • Nap time routines
  • Aftercare programs and staffing schedule
• Collaborate with operations to execute Pre-K family, staff, and student events to strengthen community engagement
• Collaborate with the operations team to address and resolve logistical challenges as they arise
• Support enrollment processes in collaboration with the school operations team
• Support Pre-K to Kindergarten matriculation to ensure a smooth transition for students and families

School Culture and Community Engagement

• Foster a positive and inclusive school culture that reflects the mission and values of Uncommon Schools
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families and support larger school-wide communications efforts
• Serve as a role model for students, staff, and families, promoting respect, responsibility, and a love for learning
• Support planning and leading whole-school moments and initiatives

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Pre-K to align site-specific strategies with network-wide goals
• Partner with other Pre-K site leaders to share best practices and ensure consistency across the network
• Collaborate with the site Principal, Director of Operations and Operations Teams, Special Education Coordinator, and School Social Worker to maximize support for students’ academic and socio-emotional development
• Participate in network-wide instructional initiatives such as curriculum development or data analysis and response systems

Mission-Alignment

• Demonstrate a passionate commitment to improving the minds and lives of students in pursuit of the Uncommon mission
• Willingness to step up and support the school’s or region’s needs, including teaching a course, strategically planning staff coverage, or supporting another school
• Participate in school walkthroughs, inspections, and working groups to drive school improvement
• Model Uncommon’s core instructional frameworks, including the "See It-Name It-Do It" approach and "Leverage Leadership" principles

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in early childhood education, including leadership roles
• Demonstrated ability to coach and develop educators to achieve instructional excellence
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on building strong relationships with families, staff, and students
• Strong teaching and instructional leadership skills with evidence of outstanding student growth and achievement
• Familiarity with Uncommon’s instructional frameworks (e.g., See It-Name It-Do It, Leverage Leadership)
• A deep commitment to the mission and values of Uncommon Schools

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Compensation

Compensation for this role is between $84,500 and $127,500. Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $84,500 - $94,900.

Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

* The range above represents our compensation scales for the 2025-2026 school year. If starting prior to June 30th, 2025, compensation will be based on a slightly lower range, reflective of current compensation scales. New hires who fall into this category will see an increase in their compensation starting on July 1st, 2025 for next school year which aligns to the scale above.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and 10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).
• Extensive, best-in-class training and development
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)
• Financial Planning
  • 403(b) retirement savings program + employer match
• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)
• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all benefits is locatedHERE.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email recruitment@uncommonschools.org.