Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Dean of Culture is responsible for facilitating the culture of the school, including the development of student character and ensuring a positive and structured environment that creates the conditions for learning. This position requires an organized and consistent educator with a concrete vision of excellence, adult leadership experience, the ability to build outstanding relationships with stakeholders, and a talent for inspiring children to high expectations.  This position is an opportunity to play a significant role in founding an institution focused on academic achievement, character, and community.

 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEAN OF CULTURE WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Student Culture

• Work closely with Principal to establish a positive, joyful, and achievement-oriented school culture vision and plan

• Facilitate teacher training and support around relationships, proactive positive culture, expectations, consistency, and classroom management

• Coordinate and implement a school-wide behavior management system with meaningful and logical incentives and consequences

• Create the vision and oversee the execution of school-wide culture and community events 

• Serve as the point person on one grade level for breaches of culture, including maintaining the reactive systems and data for removal, detention, out-of-school suspension, and parent re-entry meetings 

• Plan, lead and oversee an effective Tier I, Tier II and Tier III behavior RTI program, in collaboration with the AP of Student Support Services

Stakeholder Engagement and Management

• Lead school-wide recognition assemblies, parent workshops, community events, and other culture-building activities

• Support teachers in building relationships with students and parents; implement the parental involvement plan and run the parent involvement committee 

• Ensure that the physical environment of the school reinforces school culture and facilitates student growth and achievement

• Conduct regular school culture walkthroughs, classroom observations and audits to help staff maintain a high bar of excellence

• Coach GLCs on leading behavior analysis meetings with their grade levels 

• Plan and lead ongoing student culture professional development throughout the year

• Participate as the LEA in IEP meetings for students who have behavior goals 

• Track and report student behavior to SBOE through PowerSchool, DeansList, and other regional level reports

Instructional Coaching

• Manage and coach 3-4  teachers 

• Conduct classroom observations and debriefs with weekly action steps to increase efficacy of instruction

• Conduct weekly one-on-one conversations with direct reports, including time for relationship building, reviewing data, and providing observation feedback

• Provide lesson plan feedback to direct reports

• Conduct twice-a-year teacher performance evaluations for direct reports

Growth Mindset

• Model school core values and character strengths at all times

• Willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to change and improvement

• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year

Other

• Supervise school entry, breakfast, lunch, transitions, and dismissal to ensure they are safe and positive

• Work with the Director of Operations to ensure all students have excellent attendance and arrive at school on time

• Lead efforts to ensure all students have excellent homework completion and that homework is checked efficiently

• Work with the Director of Operations to ensure effective field lessons, school events, and extracurricular activities

• Fill in for class coverage, as needed, in the event of a coverage gap

• Serve as an active member of the School Leadership Team, meeting weekly for strategic planning and discussion of school initiatives and data

Qualifications

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree

• At least three years of teaching experience with a proven record of high achievement and strong classroom management and culture

• Experience teaching in an educationally under-resourced community

• 1+ years experience coaching and/or leading adults; proven ability to proactively lead by example

• Demonstrated success in building relationships and trust with leaders, teachers, students, parents and community

• Clear understanding of culturally responsive pedagogy and leadership

 DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:

• Unwavering commitment to KIPP Nashville's mission, students, families, and community

• Firm believe in affirming the identity of students, families and staff

• Passionate and committed to being a leader for racial justice and equity, and leading in an anti-racist school

• Passionate about data-driven decision making

• Demonstrates excitement in growing staff into their highest self as a leader for our students and families

• Physical and emotional endurance to support with challenging students; maintain emotional control under stress

• Superb personal organization skills to keep on top of deadlines and measures of accountability

• Team player: demonstrates maturity, growth mindset, strong work ethic, follow-through and flexibility

• Excellent communication skills with diverse constituents; clear writer, facilitator and public speaker

Additional Information

Our comprehensive compensation package includes life insurance and long-term disability coverage provided by KIPP Nashville, voluntary medical and dental plans, in addition to retirement benefits and an annual salary increase. Salary is commensurate with experience. To establish equitable salary practices, the compensation package is derived from the regional KIPP Nashville Public Schools pay scale. This position is exempt and will follow a 12-month schedule.

APPLY DIRECTLY ONLINE. Please contact Kristen Kendall, Manager of Talent Recruitment, at kkendall@kippnashville.org with questions.

KIPP Nashville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual preference, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, pregnancy, or veteran status.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.