Middle School STEM Academic Dean

Job Description

Job Description

Originally   founded in 1991  as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools —growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org .

Reporting to the Principal, the Academic Dean will be responsible for collaborating with the Principal, School Culture staff, Special Education staff, and relevant specialists to provide teachers with high-quality professional development and curriculum implementation guidance to meet the needs of all students. This is an exciting opportunity for collaborative educators who enjoy working closely with teachers and school leaders to drive student outcomes while sharing evidence-based pedagogical practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary instructional coach for teachers and learning specialists;

• Lead intellectual preparation meetings and collaborate with school leadership to lead high-quality professional development and curriculum implementation guidance to meet the needs of all students;

• Regularly review lesson plans, observe teachers and provide teachers with timely, highest-leverage, actionable feedback;

• Lead coaching and support on classroom and school culture;

• Contribute to the development and/or implementation of a rigorous, college-preparatory curriculum, including a vertical scope and sequence aligned to national standards, through creation of assessments, unit plans, and lesson plans, as needed;

• Work closely with classroom teachers and school leadership to plan instruction, analyze student work, and ensure continuity between classroom and intervention work for students with special needs;

• Lead the utilization of student performance data to customize and improve instruction;

• Assist in the coordination of internal and state assessments;

• With the Principal, establish performance goals for instructional staff and manage teacher performance evaluations;

• Collaborate with the Principal to develop a plan of action for the year, including, but not limited to, long-term goal setting, identification of major growth areas and steps for improvement, establishing methods for effective communication, long-term planning for supporting and developing teachers.

• Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s Degree in Education or School Administration preferred;

• 3+ years of full-time school teaching experience with a record of strong student achievement and exemplary classroom culture;

• 2+ years in a management role or school leadership role, managing full-time teams to outcomes, highly preferred;

• Successful experience in coaching and leading professional development in large group, small group and one-on-one settings, highly preferred;

• Extensive knowledge of best practices in classroom management and instructional strategies with emphasis on literacy and/or mathematics;

• Exemplary interpersonal skills and an understanding of adult learning strategies to provide mentoring and coaching;

• Ability to use a variety of data sources to drive instruction;

• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

Working Expectations

• In-Person work at the school site to manage the functioning of both the day school (hours generally 7:15am-4:15pm) and Extended Learning program (through a rotating day where hours are 9:00am - 6:00pm).
• Some additional early morning and/or evening work, for example on critical days such as state testing days, will be required

Benefits and Paid Time Off

We offer comprehensive benefits including:

• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match starting at 4% after one year, with increases tied to DREAM tenure;
• Referral, performance, and tenure milestone bonuses;
• Discounted school meals through our in-house Scratch Food Program;
• Tuition reimbursement support;
• Access to a professional development fund;
• School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days.
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $100,000 to $116,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us .

DREAM Maxims  

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.

If you are a current DREAM employee, please click here to review our Internal Selection Process before applying.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.