Associate Dean of Students

Great Oaks Kathleen Sherry Charter School– New York City

About Great Oaks NYC

Great Oaks Kathleen Sherry Charter School– New York City (GO-NYC) prepares students to shape the world, not be defined by it. We believe children learn best through a combination of direct instruction and project-based, authentic experiences to support skill development and accelerate learning. Our program is organized around the design principles of Mastery, Leadership, and Community. GO-NYC provides rigorous, project-based learning, advanced coursework, and supplemental tutorial support that centers equity, culturally responsive teaching, and strong relationships. We seek talented, tenacious, asset-minded people who share our belief that all students deserve a high-quality education. 

Design Principles

Mastery: For students to shape the world and not be defined by it, they must develop deep knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to new contexts. We emphasize student-centered, projected based curriculum and joyful teaching.  

Leadership: The purpose of leadership is to support a vision of the world in which equity and justice are essential. We offer leadership opportunities to students so that they can persist through challenges, plan proactively for their future, and collaborate with others.

Community: Community is predicated on the understanding that if it takes a village to raise a child, why not help raise the village. We support the whole child in the development of healthy self-esteem and confidence by building deep relationships with others and themselves. 

Position Summary

The Associate Dean of Students works collaboratively and enthusiastically with the Leadership Team (specifically with the Dean of Students) under the guidance of the Senior Principal to shape and sustain a school culture of discipline and warmth while ensuring that the students internalize the school’s values and goals for academic excellence. The Associate Dean of Students works directly with students and parents to uphold a strong positive culture.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building a transformative school culture consistent with Great Oaks core values and mission
• Ensures that staff are skilled in restorative practice and sensitive handling of students’ social-emotional issues
• Designing and implementing programs that recognize and celebrate positive behaviors and mindsets
• Devising rituals that promote culture, sustain school values and create a school-wide identity among students
• Cultivating students’ cultural competency, growth and development through school programs and events
• Building a support network for students by meeting with, listening to and seeking to understand the needs of students as individuals and the student body as a whole
• Implementing behavior management tools including overseeing staff training in behavior management policies, techniques, and strategies and ensuring consistent deployment of such tools school-wide
• Meeting with students referred by teachers and communicating and meeting with students’ parents/guardians in a constructive manner
• Ensuring that consequences for infractions are fairly and consistently implemented throughout the school community
• Review school data weekly to ensure discipline data reflects fair and equitable discipline amongst all students; follow up with appropriate next steps when a concern is identified
• Implementing and ensuring the school-wide use of information technology tools for reporting and documenting student culture information
• Ensuring documentation of communications with parents regarding student attendance, academic progress, and discipline

Qualifications and Competencies
The successful candidate will have experience in an urban school setting. S/he will have a proven track record of upholding a positive school culture that promotes academic excellence. S/he will be skilled at using a consultative and analytic approach to solve problems and to derive the best outcome for students. The successful candidate will also have:

• A strong academic record with a Bachelor’s degree from a competitive college or university required; advanced degree preferred
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written; ability to provide constructive feedback to staff members
• Superb organizational and self-management skills and an ability to handle multiple responsibilities effectively and thoughtfully
• Self confidence, flexibility and the ability to respond well to feedback and implement it immediately
• The ability to thrive in a fast paced environment where the ability to multitask and prioritize work is essential
• A passion for academic learning and an insistence on academic excellence
• A do-whatever-it takes attitude doing whatever is necessary to help all students achieve academic success including a willingness to work occasionally on the weekend or in the evening.
• A strong belief that all students can succeed

Compensation

Great Oaks offers a competitive salary range of $75,000–$95,000, commensurate with experience and education, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

General Information

This position is for the current school year and the successful candidate will start immediately. Selected candidates will be contacted to set up an in-person interview. 

What We Offer

• A mission-driven, equity focused, and community-centered environment
• Benefits including 403(b), medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A unique opportunity to lead a growing charter school into the future with a bold instructional and cultural vision