Dean of Culture at KIPP Denver Collegiate

Job Description

Job Description

About the Dean of Culture Role:

As an Dean of Culture, your primary role is to build systems and structures that create the conditions and campus community to drive exceptional student experience and academic outcomes that equip all students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond. Deans of Culture are expected to support and manage the proactive, positive systems that create joyful, rigorous, identity-affirming schools (for example, whole school Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) and coordinate responsive systems aligned with our values. They partner with the School Principal and Assistant Principal of Culture to lead behavior and culture, and they are expected to cultivate a participatory, achievement-focused, and outcomes-driven school culture that honors the multi-faceted identities of our students. In support of the mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of KIPP Colorado, the Dean of Culture is responsible for leading and building capacity of all teachers and teacher leaders (especially Grade Level Chairs) to implement and continuously develop excellent classroom communities, a strong focus on learning and continuous improvement, and a culture of consistent and high expectations with a focus on restorative practices. The Dean of Culture partners with Deans of Instruction, the Principal, and the leadership team to develop teacher skills in best practices for classroom management and to implement school-wide expectations. They create and oversee co curricular activities that bridge culture, community, and academics and foster caregiver and community engagement. This is a full-time administrative exempt position reporting to the Assistant Principal of Culture (APC). 

About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students. 

Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization. 

What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.

Role Responsibilities and More About How You’ll Spend Your Time in this Role

Professional Responsibilities Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn 

● Assume personal responsibility for student achievement 

● Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines 

● Provide an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students) 

● Take ownership for the development of your craft and engage actively in coaching sessions (meet 1-2 times every 1 or 2 weeks (depending on need and role) with a manager, receive coaching, implement all provided feedback, engage in active practice, etc.) 

● Commit to being prepared. Such as: internalizing and preparing for lessons, preparing for O3s/coaching, preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, reading and internalizing written communication, etc. 

● Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules 

● Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft Outlook calendar) 

● Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities
● Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement
● Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals
● Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings
● Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
● Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, 

collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives 

● Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students 

● Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements 

● Know that your role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc. may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events 

● Assist with other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, hallway duty, school support duties, etc.) 

Campus Community and Culture Leade