Lower School Dean

Job Description

Job Description

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports to : Lower School Division Director

Salary : $80,000 - $115,000

Expected Start Date : August 2026

Location : All positions are in person

School Overview

Breck School is a preschool through twelve, coeducational college preparatory, Episcopal day school located in Golden Valley, Minnesota, with a national reputation for excellence and achievement in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our School’s Episcopal roots are lived through an unwavering commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging, where we respect the dignity of every human being. We prioritize lifelong learning and a commitment to the greater good.

We are a community of highly engaged and motivated students, faculty, staff, and school leaders focused on building trusting relationships and strong academic scholarship through a practice of bridging research to practice. Upon graduation, Breck students are prepared for a life of intellectual curiosity, self-knowledge, and social responsibility, matriculating to colleges and universities throughout the world.

Position Overview

Breck School seeks a dynamic educational leader who is passionate about children, teaching, and learning to serve as the Dean of Lower School.

The Lower School Dean will be an essential Lower School administrative team member, sharing responsibility for the division's overall functioning. This role requires a collaborative and visionary leader who can foster a positive, nurturing, and academically challenging environment for students.

In addition to working closely with students, the Dean will play a pivotal role in supporting faculty through coaching, mentoring, and professional development, empowering them to be highly effective instructors of elementary-age children. The Dean will also help to build strong partnerships with parents, creating a community that supports the holistic development of students.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in an engaging, forward-thinking school environment that values creativity, innovation, and strong relationships within its community.

Responsibilities

• School Culture and Community
  • Promotes Breck’s Mission, Values, Goals, and Programs and supports them with leadership and active participation.
  • Builds and sustains positive relationships within the school community and fosters a culture of inclusion and empathy.
  • Leads the Lower School Community Meeting and actively participates in admissions events, promoting the school’s philosophy and values.
• Academic Programming
  • Provides strategic vision and leadership for academic growth and development, supporting and enhancing curricular offerings.
  • Demonstrates expertise in educational philosophy, pedagogical best practices, and curriculum development and alignment, providing guidance and leadership to faculty in these areas.
  • Collaborates with the Peter Clark Center for Mind, Brain, and Education and the Melrose Family Center for Leadership and Equity to coach and mentor teachers, ensuring continuous growth in instructional practice through ongoing professional development and coaching sessions.
  • Teaches in collaboration with selected probationary Lower School Faculty 20-40%
• Student Life
  • Works with faculty to establish a joyful, kind, and caring community where students feel supported, respected, and engaged in their learning journey.
  • Supports student social and emotional development, including resilience, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills, and utilizes restorative practices to guide conflict resolution and promote a safe and respectful school culture.
  • Coordinates and facilitates conferences to discuss academic progress, behavior, and student needs, ensuring all stakeholders are involved in the child’s development.
  • Tracks and maintains accurate student discipline records, documenting interventions, consequences, and communications with families.
• Family Engagement
  • Develops a strong home/school relationship with families, guiding them through the educational journey and ensuring they feel informed and supported.
  • Communicates with clarity, empathy, and respect, always fostering open dialogue and meaningful collaboration with families.
  • Works closely with the Parents' Association to organize engaging programs and events for families, creating opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s education and the broader school community.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Participates in faculty recruitment, hiring, professional development, supervision, evaluation, and retention, ensuring excellent teaching and a commitment to student growth.
  • Contributes to school-wide initiatives and strategic planning by serving on committees and supporting student transitions.
  • Handles logistical aspects of the Lower School, including managing materials, coordinating classroom assignments and schedules, and ensuring alignment across divisions.
  • Undertakes additional responsibilities as needed by the Division leadership and Head of School.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Attributes

• Proven experience in the classroom, with a strong track record of success in teaching and guiding young learners

• Expertise in coaching and mentoring teachers to refine their instructional practices, using data-driven feedback and differentiated strategies to support individual growth.

• A passion for creating supportive, positive learning environments that foster academic and social-emotional growth.

• Knowledge of effective student discipline practices, including restorative methods to foster accountability, reflection, and learning from mistakes.

• Ability to make data-driven decisions, using assessment results to guide instructional improvements and interventions.
  Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with faculty, students, parents, and the broader school community.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing demands, and maintain high efficiency and effectiveness.

• A commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse school environment, and to advancing equity and access in education for all students.

• Ability to foster a collaborative, growth-oriented atmosphere, supporting and guiding faculty in their professional development and instructional practices.

• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate changing educational needs, student dynamics, and school initiatives.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred).

• Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience, with a focus on Early Childhood or Elementary education.

• Previous experience in an administrative or leadership role is strongly desired, with demonstrated success in instructional leadership and teacher development.