Instructional Dean - Elementary School (Bronx)

About KIPP NYC

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful and rigorous schools in pursuit of a more just world. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in the Bronx, with a vision that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. Today, our network consists of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive program to support our students and alumni in choosing and preparing for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. KIPP NYC currently serves more than 12,000 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000 (8% of whom are alumni), and continues to grow!

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Dean is responsible for ensuring that the highest quality curricula are developed across the school and for creating a positive, structured, and disciplined school culture. They are responsible for ensuring that the students’ learning experiences are exciting, and rigorous, and helping to prepare them for college. The Dean coordinates curriculum and instructional content with the Teaching & Learning team, coaches teachers, assesses teacher and student performance, coordinates professional development needs for the school, and provides operational support to keep the academic program running. It is also important that a Dean cultivates productive relationships with all members of the school community, including faculty, students, and families. The Dean reports directly to the Principal, who provides guidance and sets school policy.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Curriculum and Assessment

  • Develop and execute high-quality, standards-based school curriculum and instructional content consistent with the philosophy, values, and mission of the school and KIPP NYC. 

  • Clearly articulate student performance goals for each grade level and work with teachers to set measurable student goals in individual classes. 

  • Continuously monitor student achievement by analyzing independent work, standardized test results, and other data points in order to target interventions. 

  • Attend and facilitate productive content team meetings.

• School culture

  • Work closely 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. 

  • Support execution and coordination of cross-school instructional and cultural initiatives. 

• Student Discipline

  • 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). 

  • Recognize and celebrate exemplary student achievement and behavior, communicating with families of students on a regular basis. 

  • Reinforce the effective use of a school-wide behavior plan and serve as a point person for discipline and culture issues. 

  • Assist teachers, students, and parents in the effective creation and implementation of individual behavior plans (in conjunction with the Social Worker/Guidance Counselor). 

• Teacher coaching and professional development

  • 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 (unit and lesson planning, lesson execution, and collection and use of assessment data). 

  • 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. Complete quarterly, mid-year, and end-of-year teacher performance evaluations. 

  • Organize summer training and professional development days in coordination with other Deans and the Principal. 

  • Recognize and celebrate staff professional growth and success.

• Operational support

  • 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.

  • Ensure completion of report cards and progress reports.

  • Participate in the teacher recruitment and hiring process, in collaboration with the Principal.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment and a healthy measure of the character traits we value: zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor. 

• At least five years of full time classroom teaching experience

• At least one year of adult management/teacher coaching

• Experience in education leadership is strongly preferred. Ability to effectively manage instructional and non-instructional staff. 

• Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of students within our KIPP NYC communities.

• Demonstrated success in developing academic programs and academic culture. Ability to evaluate instructional programs and teaching effectiveness. 

• Demonstrated success in planning staff professional development and leading teams of teachers

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess student progress toward standards and present data effectively.

• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative

• Extreme flexibility to accommodate multiple priorities and a strong work ethic to accommodate high levels of responsibilities 

• 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.

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $100,636 - $195,427. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role and the scope of responsibility within the Dean role. KIPP NYC will evaluate a candidate’s years of experience at point of hire to determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our Dean salary scale. 

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits that 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 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives including 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. You must notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization. 

KIPP NYC LLC is committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. 

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.