2026] Dean of Students – Middle School

Job title: 2026] Dean of Students – Middle School

Company: KIPP NYC Public Schools

Job description:

About Us

Welcome to KIPP NYC! We’re a vibrant, non-profit network of 18 free public charter schools spread across the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Our mission? To team up with families and communities to create joyful learning environments where students can thrive and work towards a more equitable world. We kicked off our journey back in 1995 with KIPP Academy, our first middle school in the Bronx, driven by the belief that every child deserves the freedom to shape their own future. Today, we’re proud to have a diverse network consisting of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and our KIPP Forward program, which helps students and alumni choose and prep for educational and career paths that match their dreams. Currently, we’re serving over 12,000 students and alumni, backed by an incredible team of over 1,000 staff members, including 8% who are alumni themselves. And we’re still growing!

The Role: Dean of Students

We’re seeking a passionate and dedicated Dean of Students to help lead our school culture and create a positive, structured environment where students feel safe and inspired to learn. In this role, you’ll be the right-hand person to the Principal, helping to shape guidance and policies while being a vital first point of contact for parents and guardians. Your enthusiasm for supporting students and building meaningful relationships with our school community will be key to your success!

What You’ll Do:

1. Build a Positive School Culture

• Collaborate with the leadership team to foster an engaging, achievement-focused atmosphere where creativity can flourish.
• Champion the integration of our core values and character development throughout the classroom experience.
• Be a prominent, approachable presence during school hours to reinforce our strong culture.
• Regularly walk through classrooms and hallways to observe student behavior and support a positive learning environment.
• Coordinate and support our school’s initiatives to enhance both instructional and cultural engagement.
• Lead various transitional activities throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, recess, and school dismissals.

2. Ensure Student Discipline

• Serve as the go-to person for any discipline or culture-related challenges, addressing acute issues with care and effectiveness.
• Promote a school-wide behavior plan that encourages positive behavior and discipline.
• Support educators by providing strategies and insights on managing classroom dynamics and nurturing student relationships.
• Model constructive ways to address misbehavior using various techniques like Love and Logic and other effective strategies.
• Collaborate with teachers, students, and families to craft individualized behavior plans, partnering closely with our Social Worker and Guidance Counselor.

3. Communicate with Families

• Celebrate and share outstanding student achievements and behaviors by regularly connecting with families.
• Reach out daily to discuss attendance and truancy issues, primarily through phone calls—strong communication skills are a must, and fluency in Spanish is a plus!
• Aid Social Workers and Guidance Counselors in developing and facilitating parent workshops.

4. Support Teacher Growth and Development

• Design and deliver professional development sessions that empower staff to foster positive relationships and a strong classroom community.
• Collaborate with teachers to enhance their classroom management skills and overall instructional practice.
• Conduct classroom observations, providing valuable feedback to help educators excel.
• Keep the Principal informed about teacher performance, highlighting those needing additional support.
• Organize summer training sessions and professional development days in tandem with other Deans and the Principal.
• Acknowledge and celebrate our staff’s growth and achievements regularly.

5. Provide Operational Support

• Step in to teach classes when needed, ensuring we continue to meet our students’ needs.
• Work alongside the Leadership Team to manage daily and class schedules, including student placements with the Director of Operations.
• Participate in our teacher recruitment and hiring process in collaboration with the Principal.

What You Bring:

• A minimum of one year of experience in adult management or teacher coaching.
• Ideally, two or more years of classroom teaching experience.
• Proven track record of developing successful student programs and nurturing a positive school culture.
• Experience in planning professional development for staff and leading teacher teams.
• A flexible mindset, ready to tackle multiple priorities while showing a strong work ethic.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to foster a collegial working environment—qualities like zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude, and humor go a long way!
• A genuine enthusiasm for being part of a mission-driven team.
• A history of boosting student achievement within diverse communities.
• A Bachelor’s degree is a must.

Compensation and Benefits:
At KIPP NYC, we offer a competitive salary range of $98,663 to $158,760, determined by your experience and the role responsibilities. You’ll appreciate our attractive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous time-off policies, including five vacation weeks, sick days, personal days, and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
• Bright Horizons Back-Up Child and Elder Care services.
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Unique incentives, including an 8-week paid sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

This role is based in NYC and involves travel to our various schools. If you’re considering relocating beyond a commutable distance or out of state, your employment will be reviewed, which may affect your position with KIPP NYC—so please keep HR in the loop about any move!

KIPP NYC is proud to be an anti-racist organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We’re dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment for employees from all backgrounds and experiences because we believe it enhances our ability to serve students and families throughout NYC. We enthusiastically encourage applications from BIPOC individuals, women, gender expansive people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, and those with disabilities.

We can’t wait to meet you! If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact, let’s connect.

Expected salary:

Location: New York City, NY

Job date: Sat, 08 Feb 2025 02:49:11 GMT

Apply for the job now!