Middle School Academic Dean

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

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Empowerment Academy Charter School is seeking an Academic Dean for its Middle School, focusing keenly on instruction. This role is distinct from administrative and operations management, with a primary goal of developing the academy’s teachers and enhancing the instructional program's effectiveness. This 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 population in Jersey City, Hoboken, and New York City. The school, founded in 2015, will serve grades K-12 in SY26-27, with a dedicated staff committed to closing the achievement gap. 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 for this leadership role; demonstrated effectiveness in teacher professional development and successful education programs is paramount. The school seeks individuals passionate about leading a cutting-edge education program for an economically and ethnically diverse student body.

Requirements

A standard teaching license from the NJ Department of Education.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching grades 5-8.
A Principal/Supervisor Certification.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of Empowerment Academy’s K-12 instructional leadership team, reporting to the schoolwide Principal and Director of Education (Head Principal).
Be centrally involved in teacher interviewing, hiring, and induction processes.
Help oversee teacher certification at their academy.
Oversee teacher professional development in classroom management, data-driven instructional planning, creation of effective lesson plans, delivery of engaging and effective instruction, and 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.
Facilitate “test-in-hand” data analysis that goes beyond what scholars got wrong to why scholars got it wrong.
Facilitate teachers taking responsibility for 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.
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.