Middle School Academic Dean

BelovED Community & Empowerment Academy Charter Schools•Jersey City, NJ

2h•Onsite

About The Position

Empowerment Academy Charter School is seeking an Academic Dean for its Middle School, with a primary focus on instruction. This role is distinct from administrative and operations management, concentrating instead on developing the academy's teachers and enhancing the instructional program's effectiveness. The specific vacancy will oversee ELA and Social Studies Teachers for grades 5th-8th. This is a 12-month leadership position for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond, starting July 1, 2026. Empowerment Academy is a dynamic and successful charter school with three campuses, serving a diverse student body in Jersey City, Hoboken, and New York City. The school, founded in 2015, will serve grades K-12 in SY26-27. The school is structured into academies (Primary, Upper Elementary/Middle School, and High School), each led by a Principal, Academic Deans, and Deans of Students. While Principal Certification is desired, it is not a requirement; demonstrated effectiveness in teacher professional development and successful education programs is more crucial. If you have the demonstrated effectiveness we are looking for and want to help lead a cutting-edge education program serving a student body that is among the most economically and ethnically diverse in America, then apply today.

Requirements

A standard teaching license from the NJ Department of Education is the minimum certificate required
Academic Dean with either a K-6, ELA, or Social Studies Certification
Minimum seven years of teaching experience
Experience as a leader in a high-performing charter public school (e.g., UnCommon Schools, KIPP, Success Academy), traditional public school, or privately managed school
Experience working with a diverse student population
Proven strengths in the area of teacher professional development and coaching
Expertise in the analysis of assessment data, in how to use data to drive instruction, and in training teachers in how to conduct effective, data-focused Professional Learning Community meetings
Commitment to the mission and goals of the school
Read and master: Leverage Leadership by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo; Driven by Data by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo; and Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov
Attend professional development workshops and training if so directed by the Executive Officer or Director of Education

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching grades 5-8 is preferred
A Principal/Supervisor Certification is a bonus, but not mandatory

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of Empowerment Academy’s K-12 instructional leadership team and report to the schoolwide Principal and Director of Education (Head Principal)
Be centrally involved in teacher interviewing, hiring and induction, and help oversee teacher certification at their academy
Oversee teacher professional development in classroom management, data-driven instructional planning, the creation of effective lesson plans, the delivery of engaging and effective instruction, and in the effective use of technology and learning programs
Periodically meet one-on-one with academy teachers throughout the school year to review and guide the periodic revision of their Personal Professional Development Plans
Provide observation and feedback, as well as real-time coaching and instructional modeling for academy teachers
Analyze assessment data to identify trends and gaps
Lead parent meetings regarding student progress or concerns
Manage academic resources and materials
Ensure teachers and students are receiving the support they need from other instructional and student professionals
Work with the school Principal in the evaluation of teachers
Coach grade level “Head Teachers” or academic subject “Department Chairs” in how to conduct effective Professional Learning Community meetings with their grade level or department peers, focusing upon “test-in-hand” data analysis that goes beyond what scholars got wrong to why scholars got wrong
Facilitate teachers taking responsibility for (either individually or as part of a team) successfully addressing their scholars’ learning challenges
Develop teachers’ ability to effectively use data to drive high quality instructional planning
Meet with the parents/guardians of a scholar when requested by an academy teacher or as otherwise appropriate