Operations / Administration Dean of Scholars – Middle School at Bronx Lighthouse Charter School
Job Description
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES
The BLCS Dean of Scholars helps transform children’s lives by creating opportunities for a brighter future. We are seeking a Dean who will make the commitment to teach and lead with determination, integrity and purpose, embodying these essential qualities:
- Past experiences and actions reflect a commitment to the LHA mission, vision, core values
- A passion and ability to build and sustain the LHA K-12 model in a high need, urban environment
- Work in schools that demonstrates a sense of urgency and the relentless pursuit of high academic scholar achievement, as well as improving scholar behavior and culture
- Reflective, self-aware and adaptable to communication and work styles of others
- Critical thinker and problem solver who takes initiative
- Belief in the power of collaboration and works to build a collaborative culture with LHA network, community, staff, families and scholars
- Strong organization and communication skills; the ability to maintain accurate and up to date records
Essential Functions
The Dean of Scholars is a strategic team member who works to create and enhance a culture of achievement and respect where high expectations and results are the norm. The Dean of Scholars is responsible for demonstrating significant and measurable gains in behavior data, each year, with all scholars. The actions of our Dean of Scholars must always be aligned with our mission, vision, core values and education program. The essential functions for our Dean of Scholars are as follows:
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP
I. Culture of Achievement and Respect
- Collaborate with other Deans and the School Leadership Team to create and manage a safe and welcoming learning environment in all aspects of the school building
- Implement the school-wide behavior management system, a systematic approach to managing and intervening on scholar discipline issues based on the BLCS Scholar Family Handbook, and the Restorative Practices
- Coordinate and participate in activities aligned to monthly Town Hall Meetings
- Coordinate and participate in celebrations aimed at promoting scholar achievement
- Coordinate Scholar of the Week in each classroom on every grade level based on school-wide behavior systems
- Participate in and model adult role model behaviors during breakfast, lunch, recess, and arrival and dismissal
- Research and implement new school culture initiatives to further develop the school culture
- Build a culture of achievement and respect with families, scholars and school/ network staff
- Model professionalism and the LHA Essential Qualities at all times
II. Professional Development
- Observe and learn from school leaders to internalize and implement best practices as related to managing positive scholar behavior
- Build a collaborative culture and individual relationships with teachers, school staff, and School Leadership Team members
III. Data Analysis
- Track and report behavioral data to monitor the social-emotional development of scholars including reporting systems adapted across the school
- Analyze behavioral data to guide and support the creation of interventions through the Response to Intervention process
- Collaborate with BLCS Deans and School Leadership Team to support the school-wide culture goals
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
I. CULTURE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND RESPECT
- Foster strong relationships with families and collaborate with school staff on family events
- Attend parent events
- Build relationships with community organizations to form partnerships
- Consult with other professional staff, outside agencies and other organizations in order to improve school culture and climate
PROFESSIONALISM
- Collaborate with colleagues (leadership and school-wide meetings, Professional Development days, summer Professional Development) to continuously improve personal practice, instruction, assessment, and scholar achievement, as well as the overall goals and mission of the school and the network.
- Access meaningful learning experiences (current theory, research, and developments in relevant academic disciplines, professional development opportunities, and ideas from colleagues and supervisors) and exercise judgment in accepting findings as valid for application in leadership and teacher improvement.
- Reflect critically upon leadership experience, identify areas for further professional development as part of a professional development plan that is linked to school and network goals, access meaningful learning experiences, and listen thoughtfully to other viewpoints and respond constructively to suggestions and criticisms.
- Use feedback to inform and update professional learning goals.
- Fulfill all outlined and related functions professionally, timely and thoroughly.
I. EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree
II. EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
• Teaching experience is preferred but not required
• Experience coaching and providing professional development to teachers
• Highly effective classroom management skills
• Training and experience with Restorative Practices, as well as other LHA curricular programs
• Proven success in turning best practices into outstanding academic results
• Knowledge of education law and regulations with specific knowledge of special education and student suspension guidelines
• Ability to use data managements tools, organizational tools, and Microsoft Office computer programs
