(NY) Academic Dean

Overview

As an Academic Dean at Achievement First, you will be at the center of this work—coaching our teachers and driving decisions that will benefit our scholars. Here, you will be the driver of high‑quality coaching instruction that enables teachers to develop and deliver strong content and to help our scholars develop a lifelong love of learning. You will work with teachers to be your students’ champion who believes all students are capable of greatness. You will be a demander of excellence for yourself, your teachers and your students, an educator who helps create a vibrant school community where students have the type of powerful school experience that fosters their best and most thoughtful work.

School Year

2026-2027

Typical Week – Responsibilities

• Analyze school‑wide data to design responsive, effective student interventions.
• Develop highly effective instructional curriculum and schedule, in collaboration with the principal and Team Teaching & Learning.
• Observe lessons regularly and deliver targeted feedback to teachers.
• Collaborate with grade/subject teams to plan units, lessons, and assessments; regularly share feedback.
• Assist teachers to devise and monitor high‑impact support plans for students.
• Model outstanding instruction for teachers.
• Coordinate and manage creative, inspiring professional development sessions in line with school goals and priorities.
• Direct the interim assessment process to ensure teachers use current data to drive instruction; facilitate regular, meaningful interim assessment data debriefs.
• Lead staff trainings at the start and end of the school year and on professional development day.
• Track academic data (e.g., homework completion rates) and communicate progress to students, teachers, and parents.
• Participate in regular leadership team meetings.
• Work closely with the dean of students to support efforts in character development and positive school culture.
• Assist teacher leaders (e.g., coaches, grade team leaders) in developing leadership skills.

Key Skills & Characteristics

• Active commitment to Achievement First’s mission and values: Leading for Racial Equity, Embrace Challenge, and Go Further Together.
• Track record of exemplary instructional and classroom‑management skills, including meeting extremely high standards for student achievement.
• Proven ability to proactively and effectively coach and manage adults and drive excellent student achievement through others.
• Superior personal organizational skills, ability to coach others to improve their organizational skills and efficiency, and ability to “zoom out” to create and manage systems and projects that require long‑range planning and organization.
• Strong people‑leadership skills with a warm/demanding balance when leading adults.
• Growth mindset for self and others; willingness to seek out feedback and ability to implement constructive feedback quickly and effectively.
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for subject matter.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred.
• Certified as a school leader per state guidelines and requirements; if not currently certified, ability to obtain necessary state certification in a specific subject and grade level within the first two months of employment.
• At least 3 years of K‑12 full‑time lead teaching experience with a record of high student achievement.
• At least 1 year of experience coaching and leading adults to achieve high student achievement.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary, set through a lens of equity, based on skills, education, and years of experience. Dean salaries in NY range from $94,725 to $123,595.
• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match, and paid family leave.

EEO Statement

Achievement First is an equal‑opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn more about diversity at Achievement First here: