Instructional Dean (Humanities) - Middle School

About KIPP NYC

Founded in 1995, KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free, public charter schools located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful, academically excellent schools where every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

From our first middle school, KIPP Academy in the Bronx, to today’s network of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, and one high school, KIPP NYC provides students with engaging academics, arts, athletics, and social–emotional learning that prepare them for college, career, and beyond.

Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. Through KIPP Forward, we continue to support our alumni as they navigate college, career, and life, helping them define success on their own terms and pursue the paths that align with their goals and sense of purpose.

Together, we serve more than 9,400 students, support 4,700 alumni, and employ over 1,100 dedicated team members who bring passion, expertise, and commitment to our mission every day.

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):

• Instructional Strategy

  • 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.
  • Work with principal to develop tactical strategies to improve student academic performance.
  • Coordinate adequate instructional support for co-curriculars, special education, and other student needs.
  • Motivate and focus staff on student performance to reach for increasingly high levels of student achievement.
  • Model school culture by being a regular presence in classrooms.
  • Support execution and coordination of cross-school instructional initiatives. 

• 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 assessment

  • Continuously monitor student achievement with data analysis support from Teaching & Learning team.
  • Clearly articulate benchmark student performance goals for each grade level and work with teachers to set clear, measurable student performance goals in their individual classes to ensure all students achieve all standards.
  • Analyze results for assignments, standardized tests, and other data points in order to target interventions that will ensure the academic success of all students.
  • Recognize and celebrate exemplary student achievement.
  • Communicate student academic issues to parents regularly.

• 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 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 - $161,935. 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 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.