2026-27 Dean of Academics (Westwood ES)
About The Position
This position supports and oversees various facets of the school’s operation that directly impacts learning in the instructional aspects. This will include the monitoring of classroom instruction, management of all internal and external assessment data, and curriculum development. The Dean of Academics will be responsible for direct oversight of all instructional staff in the school. At Freedom Prep, we are committed to transforming education for students across the South, ensuring they have access to high-quality educational opportunities that empower them to thrive. Over the past 15 years, our students have consistently exceeded both local and state averages in math and have surpassed local benchmarks in English Language Arts on state assessments. Our mission is guided by three core beliefs: every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, character development is essential to student success, and exposure to diverse opportunities builds the confidence and skills needed to excel in college and in life. At Freedom Prep, we cultivate a structured, academically rigorous environment that fosters excellence in core subjects, promotes advanced academic skills, and encourages students to embody the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree required from accredited college or university.
- Tennessee Professional Educator License
- Eligibility for Tennessee Professional Educator License required.
- Four years of urban teaching experience is preferred
- 1+ years experience leading and/or coaching teachers
- Experienced classroom teacher with demonstrated, quantifiable and objective student performance gains that surpass state or local averages
- Results-driven educational leader with a commitment to standards-based curriculum and the use of data and assessments to drive instructional decisions
- Good problem-solving ability and good judgment
- Familiarity with cultural diversity
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, families, and community members
- Ability to be creative, resourceful, and reflective
- Possess strong interpersonal skills
- Professional demeanor, strong work ethic, detail-driven work style with excellent organizational skills
- Manager of an urban classroom who has used structure, incentives, and high expectations to drive student success
- Ability to work with a variety of learning abilities, including those with low skill level in a heterogeneously grouped classroom setting
Nice To Haves
- Master’s Degree preferred from accredited college or university.
Responsibilities
- Serves as instructional leader with oversight of curriculum development and student assessment (internal and external).
- Oversees professional development of all education staff.
- Supervises the daily instructional work of teachers.
- Conducts weekly teacher observations and provide feedback on performance.
- Communicates regularly with the Head of School concerning student achievement, curriculum development, professional development, staff evaluations, and the budgetary needs for each.
- Ensures appropriate rigor on internal assessments by building assessments prior to school year for content areas taught by direct reports, including benchmark scores to indicate appropriate level of mastery.
- Builds and/or vets yearlong sequence of objectives for each course taught by a direct report prior to teacher orientation.
- Implements effective internal assessment systems to monitor academic progress of students throughout the year.
- Implements and oversee systems for data analysis of all internal and external assessments.
- Ensures curriculum alignment with standards for the State of Tennessee.
- Seeks and share curriculum best practices from other schools and professional journals.
- Reinforces school-wide rules and expectations in the classroom and lesson planning.
- Communicates effectively and maintain strong relationships with students, families and colleagues.
- Maintains the school culture of high academic and behavioral expectations through continuous reflection.
- Maintains accurate, complete and correct records as required by law, and district and administrative regulations.
- Works an extended school day to allow for collaboration, professional development, and ample communication with parents and other staff members.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.
Benefits
- Paying higher, scaffolded teacher salaries from Year 1 to retirement stage
- Zero dollar monthly premium options, including holistic options such as chiropractic or acupuncture care (TN ONLY)
- Focus on staff well-being and collective care through our Adult Social-Emotional Learning
- Support in obtaining licensure
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
