Upper School Grade Level Dean (6th Grade)

Foothill Country Day School•Claremont, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Upper School Grade Level Dean serves as a nurturing student advocate and leader in supporting the academic and social emotional needs of our Upper School students. The dean will work collaboratively within their grade level team and with the Upper School Director to create and sustain a student experience that reflects a developmentally appropriate approach to academic learning and growth in character.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
Relevant experience with middle school-age students
Understanding of Foothill’s Mission and Core Values
Provide a caring and supportive presence in the life of the Upper School students.
A desire to work with middle school age students and embrace their differences in learning and temperament and meet their individual needs
A solid understanding of students’ academic and social emotional development
Be approachable by students
Be fair and thoughtful in setting consequences for students.
Communicate in a timely and on a regular basis with students, parents, and teachers
Act as a conduit between students, teachers, parents, and Upper School Director
Begin and complete tasks in a timely manner.
Possess a keen attention to detail
Understand and demonstrate the need for flexibility in a school environment.
Remember to wear an administrative hat by understanding and supporting school-wide administrative decisions.
Be a self-starter with a growth mindset who proactively considers if the current state of programs and practices are relevant to the Mission and Core Values and Ed. Vision.
A congenial affect and a collaborative, team-oriented working style
Physical presence is an essential function of the job.

Nice To Haves

Postgraduate degree preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Works with Upper School Director and grade level team to foster a culture of ethical behavior and sets the tone for a positive community founded on the Mission and Core Values.
Be a steady presence on campus for students in need of support, guidance, mediation, and behavioral intervention and coordinate the grade level team’s monitoring of students during unstructured time.
Works in concert with the Upper School Director to establish and implement best-practices for consequences and accountability that reflect the Mission and Core Values.
Develops trusting relationships with students, families, and faculty.
Actively monitors and supports the academic and behavioral progress of the students, communicating and meeting with teachers, parents, therapists, or other outside resources as necessary.
Assists Upper School Director in review and analysis of ERB testing.
Works with grade level team to evaluate advisory program for relevancy and freshness, while providing support to advisors in problem-solving student conflicts and determining next steps when problems arise.
Collaborates with other grade level deans to assist the Upper School Director with creating and implementing the Upper School Advisory and Anti-Bias curriculum for Upper School Students.
Works with division assistant in monitoring student attendance and serves as point person for students with extended absences due to medical or behavioral issues.
Works with grade level team in organization and planning of grade level outdoor trips.
Works with division assistant to create class lists and student schedules.
Collaborates with other grade level deans to help oversee the Upper School Community talk program, including the organization of the Community speaker calendar.
Works with Upper School Director to coordinate parent volunteers, DJ’s, and faculty supervision for the Fortnightly Program (if applicable to grade level.)
Assists the Upper School Director with all end of school year activities and programs.
Is available over summer for pre-determined planning day(s)
Maintains an accessible, open-door climate to parents.
Assists with planning of Welcome to the Upper School events.
Conferences with parents as needed regarding academic and social progress of students.
Attends Upper School events.
Presents publicly on matters of interest in Upper School student life.
Works with the grade level room parents in the organization and planning of student focused events.
Assists Director of Enrollment and Upper School Director in screening of applicants for their grade level.
Assists the Upper School Director with reviewing and editing of admissions materials pertinent to middle school life.
Attends admissions events, as needed.