Associate Dean of Students

About the Role

The Associate Dean of Students works collaboratively with the Leadership Team and the Dean of Students, under the guidance of the Senior Principal. This role is responsible for shaping and sustaining a school culture of discipline and warmth, ensuring students internalize school values and goals for academic excellence. The Associate Dean of Students works directly with students and parents to uphold a strong positive culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Building a transformative school culture consistent with Great Oaks core values and mission.
• Ensuring staff are skilled in restorative practice and sensitive handling of students’ social-emotional issues.
• Designing and implementing programs that recognize and celebrate positive behaviors and mindsets.
• Devising rituals that promote culture, sustain school values, and create a school-wide identity among students.
• Cultivating students’ cultural competency, growth, and development through school programs and events.
• Building a support network for students by meeting with and understanding their needs.
• Implementing behavior management tools, including overseeing staff training and ensuring consistent deployment.
• Meeting with students referred by teachers and communicating with students’ parents/guardians constructively.
• Ensuring consequences for infractions are fairly and consistently implemented.
• Reviewing school data weekly to ensure discipline data reflects fair and equitable discipline, and taking appropriate action when concerns are identified.
• Implementing and ensuring the school-wide use of information technology tools for reporting and documenting student culture information.
• Ensuring documentation of communications with parents regarding student attendance, academic progress, and discipline.

Qualifications

• Experience in an urban school setting.
• Proven track record of upholding a positive school culture that promotes academic excellence.
• Skill in using a consultative and analytic approach to solve problems and achieve the best outcome for students.
• Bachelor's degree from a competitive college or university required; advanced degree preferred.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written), with the ability to provide constructive feedback to staff.
• Superb organizational and self-management skills, with the ability to handle multiple responsibilities effectively.
• Self-confidence, flexibility, and the ability to respond to and implement feedback immediately.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where multitasking and prioritizing are essential.
• Passion for academic learning and an insistence on academic excellence.
• A "do-whatever-it-takes" attitude to help all students achieve academic success, including willingness to work occasionally on weekends or in the evening.
• Strong belief that all students can succeed.

Tech Stack

• Information technology tools for reporting and documenting student culture.