Dean of Curriculum and Instruction

Kwenda Collegiate Girls is a public, tuition-free, feminist K-8 girls’ school rooted in the idea that true gender justice begins with ensuring our girls have access to an excellent, gender-responsive, college-preparatory education. We are a slow growth school serving 108 students across kindergarten and first grade. Each school year, we will add a grade level until we reach full enrollment with eighth grade. Our mission is to reimagine schooling so that all girls have access to an excellent education that empowers them to lead self-determined lives full of promise, wonder, and ease. Dean of Curriculum & Instruction (K-2) Who We Are Kwenda Collegiate Girls is a public, tuition-free, feminist K-8 girls’ school rooted in the idea that true gender justice begins with ensuring our girls have access to an excellent, gender-responsive, college-preparatory education. We are a slow growth school serving 108 students across kindergarten and first grade. Each school year, we will add a grade level until we reach full enrollment with eighth grade. Our mission is to reimagine schooling so that all girls have access to an excellent education that empowers them to lead self-determined lives full of promise, wonder, and ease. Where You’ll Come In Kwenda Collegiate is seeking a founding instructional leader to serve as our Founding Dean of Curriculum & Instruction (DCI) — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to design, lead, and launch a feminist, justice-centered school from the ground up. In Year 1, this role will function as the school’s academic and instructional leader, while partnering closely with the Executive Director (ED) to establish school-wide systems and culture. The Founding DCI will: Lead and manage all aspects of teaching and learning. Build and coach a founding teaching team toward excellence. Design, deliver, and monitor instructional systems that bring our liberatory and rigorous academic vision to life. This is a role for an experienced, equity-centered instructional leader ready to found, lead, and scale a model of girl-centered, joyful academic excellence. Role Start Date The Founding Dean of Curriculum & Instruction will begin full-time in November 2026. Your Impact I. Instructional Vision & School Leadership Serve as Kwenda’s instructional leader in Year 1, ensuring that every classroom embodies rigor, joy, and belonging. In partnership with the Executive Director, establish the school’s academic vision and instructional priorities, ensuring alignment with Kwenda’s feminist and anti-racist mission. Partner with the School Leadership team to align operations, culture, and instruction into a coherent, student-centered system. Lead the founding teacher team through school-wide professional learning, reflection, and growth cycles. Manage teachers through regular feedback, performance conversations, and quarterly evaluations. Support the design of family communication systems and community events that reflect the school’s academic goals and values. II. Collaborative Planning (Defining What Great Instruction Looks Like) Design and facilitate weekly grade-level and content-specific collaborative planning sessions focused on curriculum internalization, lesson preparation, and review of student work. Build teacher skill in analyzing standards, anticipating misconceptions, and adapting materials to meet diverse learner needs. Create the structures and norms that make collaborative planning a consistent, high-impact professional learning space. III. Observation & Feedback (Developing Teachers in Practice) Conduct daily walkthroughs and weekly instructional coaching to ensure all classrooms demonstrate high-quality teaching and aligned implementation of curriculum. Provide real-time, actionable feedback to teachers grounded in data, observation, and research-based practice. Partner with the Executive Director to implement formal teacher evaluations and professional growth plans. Model effective instructional strategies and co-teach as needed to build capacity. Build a culture of trust and continuous improvement where feedback is developmental, not punitive. IV. Data Practices (Driving Improvement through Evidence) Lead school-wide data cycles, including interim, benchmark, and state assessments. Train teachers to analyze student data, identify learning gaps, and develop responsive instructional strategies. Ensure that data meetings lead to instructional adjustments and interventions that advance student growth and equity. Partner with the Student Support Team to monitor progress for students receiving additional academic or behavioral supports. V. School Systems, Culture, and Family Partnership Partner with the Operations team to ensure all logistics, schedules, and events support the academic vision. Collaborate on the design of school-wide rituals and culture systems that affirm girls’ identities and cultivate self-efficacy. Contribute to the design of school policies, routines, and norms that ensure consistency, safety, and joy. In partnership with the School Leadership Team, design and sustain school-wide rituals, celebrations, and routines that affirm girls’ identities and foster belonging. In partnership with the School Leadership Team, build deep partnerships with families grounded in transparency, trust, and shared purpose. Lead family workshops, academic nights, and regular communication cycles to help caregivers understand the school’s instructional approach and support student learning at home. In partnership with the School Leadership Team, use feedback from families and community stakeholders to continuously improve the student and family experience. Who You Are A mission-driven educator who believes girls deserve a school designed around their brilliance, voice, and potential. A systems-level thinker who can design and lead instructional systems from scratch. A leader of adults who motivates, supports, and challenges teachers to reach ambitious goals. An equity-centered practitioner committed to dismantling bias and ensuring every student thrives. A community builder who believes that strong family-school partnerships are essential to student success. Qualifications: At least 3 years of classroom teaching experience, preferably in communities similar to Flatbush, Brooklyn. 2+ years of instructional leadership (Dean, AP, or Principal-level experience preferred). Expertise in curriculum design, data-driven instruction, and adult learning. Deep knowledge of elementary literacy and numeracy foundations. Exceptional communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. What Success Looks Like in Year 1 100% of teachers receive weekly coaching and feedback. Collaborative planning cycles occur weekly, with clear agendas and outcomes. 80%+ of students meet or exceed growth benchmarks in core subjects. A strong, affirming school culture is evident in classrooms and community spaces. The founding team is prepared for sustainable growth into Year 2 and beyond. Growth Pathway As Kwenda grows, the Founding Dean will transition toward a Principal-level role focusing on building and managing a team of instructional leaders while maintaining oversight of academic systems and teacher development. Compensation & Benefits Salary range: $105,000–$120,000, based on experience and internal equity. Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits (including family-formation benefits). 403(b) retirement plan with employer match. MacBook Air, flexible PTO, and a fully stocked staff lounge. Relocation assistance as needed. The joy and purpose of building a school that changes lives. Join us in creating a school where academic excellence and liberation go hand in hand. Kwenda Collegiate Girls is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable team. We welcome and strongly encourage applications from people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds who share our belief that education is a pathway to gender justice. #J-18808-Ljbffr