King School is a PreK-12 independent, college preparatory day school located in Stamford that serves the diverse families of Fairfield and Westchester counties. King School seeks more than achievement for our students. We open minds and spark courageous thinking. Our students discover and forge their unique paths to excellence.
Diversity is foundational to academic and professional excellence, and therefore is a core value at King. We think, learn, and work more deeply due to the many facets of diversity in our community, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, age, ability, and learning style. We leverage cultural differences and intellectual diversity to create an inclusive and vibrant learning community, endeavoring for each person to feel seen, heard, valued, and respected.
Summary: The Middle School Dean of Student Life reports directly to the Head of Middle School and is responsible for contributing to and communicating a clear vision and focused plan that sustains and strengthens student wellness, positive behavior, and a healthy divisional culture. Central to this role is overseeing student discipline through a restorative practices approach that emphasizes accountability, reflection, relationship repair, and growth.
In addition, the Dean builds strong partnerships with families, fosters a safe, inclusive, and supportive school climate, and effectively manages scheduling and operational needs in service of a healthy, respectful, and thriving middle school community.
**Job Title : **Middle School Dean of Student Life
Division: Middle School
Reports to: Head of Middle School
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supervise the execution of the advisory program in collaboration with Team Leaders, Counselors, and Director of Teaching and Learning. This supervision includes the oversight of the Student-Led Conference process.
- In collaboration with the Head of Middle School, clearly articulate and uphold the division’s vision and mission for student support, while fostering a positive school climate and ensuring staff accountability.
- Partner, collaborate, and coordinate with the program leaders and appropriate faculty in all areas of student life, including Student Council, school and service learning trips, and cross-divisional student programming.
- Lead supervision, organization, and execution of the club's program.
- Coordinate course sectioning and staffing with the MS Division Head, Department Chairs, US Academic Dean, and Head of Lower School.
- With the Head of Middle School, oversee a consistent implementation of the division’s classroom management policies, serving as a resource to staff in dealing with behavioral issues.
- Advocate for children and actively embrace community involvement.
- Partner with necessary program leaders and faculty to assist in developing programs devoted to character education and restorative practices, while establishing appropriate intervention strategies.
- Teach a section of a MS class in a core academic area as needed.
- Oversee the Student Led Conference Process
Requirements:
- Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
- A minimum of 3-5 years of experience teaching in a middle school.
- Departmental, curricular or grade level leadership experience.
- Experience developing advisory or SEL programs.
- Knowledge of academic and social developmental benchmarks for young adolescents.
- Strong communication skills and ability to constructively collaborate with students and colleagues.
- Possess a sound understanding of the intellectual and social-emotional developmental stages of adolescents.
- Deep understanding of classroom management strategies, behavioral expectations and restorative practices.
- Ability and capacity to nurture student voice, autonomy of thought, and student leadership.
- Ability to be organized and manage a series of student information platforms and systems, including: Google Classroom, Gmail, Blackbaud.
- Demonstrated cross-cultural competence--ability to effectively teach, learn, and engage in a multicultural environment with a diverse student body--in pedagogical practice and multicultural curriculum content.
- Demonstrated capacity in culturally responsive professional practices, excellent communication skills, and ability to constructively collaborate with colleagues.
- Demonstrated capacity to thrive in our diverse community, including but not limited to diversity in race, ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic status, ability/disability, belief, sexual orientation, and national origin according to our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging principles.
- Must have a demonstrated alignment with King’s Mission and Virtues
Classifications:
Full Time, Exempt.
To Apply: Please include resume, cover letter and statement of educational philosophy.
King goes beyond just stating that we are Equal Opportunity Employer. Our goal is to intentionally hire a diverse pool of world-class staff and faculty to enrich the educational experience of students. King seeks candidates committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment where varied identities are valued and respected.