[2026-2027] Dean of Students - Middle School

KIPP • New York, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Dean of Students leads the school’s efforts to create a positive, structured, disciplined school culture. The Dean of Students reports directly to the Principal, who provides guidance and direction and sets school policy. The Dean of Students is the main school contact for parents and guardians. A successful Dean of Students is passionate about supporting our students, adapts to changes, and cultivates productive relationships with all members of the school community, including faculty, students, and families.

Requirements

• At least one year of adult management/teacher coaching
• Demonstrated success in developing student programs and a positive school culture
• Demonstrated success in planning staff professional development and leading teams of teachers
• Extreme flexibility to accommodate multiple priorities and a strong work ethic to accommodate high levels of responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment and a healthy measure of the character traits we value: zest, grit, hope, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor.
• Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of students within our KIPP NYC communities
• A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Model effective and high-quality teaching.
• Ability to give and implement feedback.
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision making.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of classroom teaching experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with the leadership team to develop a positive, structured, achievement-oriented, and creative school culture.
• Lead the implementation of values integration and character development within the classroom community.
• Be highly present and visible during school hours, relentlessly ensuring the school has a strong culture.
• Proactively circulate throughout classrooms and hallways during the day to gain valuable context on student behavior and help support positive school culture.
• Support execution and coordination of cross-school instructional and cultural initiatives.
• Lead breakfast, lunch/recess, dismissal, and other transitional experiences and whole-school operations.
• Serve as a point person for discipline/culture issues; in this role, the dean is the primary contact person for all acute discipline issues.
• Reinforce the effective use of a school-wide behavior plan.
• Aid teachers to improve their instructional practice, especially as it relates to issues of discipline, relationships with students, and school culture.
• Model positive interactions with students, as well as a variety of ways to handle misbehavior and disruptions (principles of Love and Logic, Lemov techniques, etc).
• Assist teachers, students, and parents in the effective creation and implementation of individual behavior plans (in conjunction with the Social Worker/Guidance Counselor).
• Recognize and celebrate exemplary student achievement and behavior, communicating with families of students on a regular basis.
• Contact families about attendance and truancy on a daily basis, primarily via telephone. Because much of this work is done via phone, the person in this role must exhibit exemplary communication skills and, ideally, be a fluent Spanish-speaker.
• Assist the Social Workers/Guidance Counselors in designing and executing parent workshops.
• Plan, implement, and provide ongoing professional development and feedback to all staff, focusing on building positive student relationships, student culture, and classroom community.
• Support teachers in developing their classroom management and instructional practice. Aid teachers to improve their instructional practice, especially as it relates to issues of discipline, relationships with students, and school culture.
• Conduct classroom observations and follow-up with targeted feedback and support to help teachers become even more effective.
• Communicate teacher performance to the principal, highlighting teachers in need of principal coaching due to insufficient performance.
• Organize summer training and professional development days in coordination with other Deans and the Principal.
• Recognize and celebrate staff professional growth and success.
• Teach classes when necessary, for coverage purposes or professional development of teachers.
• Collaborate with the Leadership Team regarding daily schedule, class schedule, and student placements in conjunction with the Director of Operations.
• Participate in the teacher recruitment and hiring process, in collaboration with the Principal.

Benefits

• Robust benefits include medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous time off including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder Care.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short-term/Long-term disability.
• Employee incentives include 8-week paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager