Dean Of Students, Middle School

Dean of Students (Middle School)

Background

Two Rivers Public Charter School serves a diverse group of learners across three locations in Wards 5 and 6. Staff at Two Rivers create an exciting educational environment in which students and staff become a community of learners on a journey of discovery. Two Rivers uses the EL Education model, which emphasizes interactive, hands-on, project-based learning. The school focuses on the whole child, recognizing the importance of character education and social-emotional needs of children while helping them achieve academic excellence.

The Two Rivers staff shares a strong belief that all children can learn and be high achievers. The curriculum at Two Rivers is rigorous, standards-based, and provides opportunities for students to excel in all areas. An integrated arts program and a content-based Spanish program augment the school’s demanding academic program. These elements come together through learning expeditions that allow students to incorporate and apply their classroom learning through real-world experiences. The mission of Two Rivers is to nurture a diverse group of Students to become lifelong, active participants in their own education, develop a sense of self and community, and become responsible and compassionate members of society.

The Dean of Students drives the school-wide vision for positive, values-driven culture, is the school-based owner of reactive discipline, and works to ensure that all adults in the school building uphold the culture vision through consistent implementation of culture structures and systems. The Dean of Students reports to the Principal.

This is a 12-month position which is exempt and therefore not eligible for overtime pay under

the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Responsibilities

School Culture

• Maintain a strong vision for school culture that incorporates Two Rivers’ community values, and consistently and frequently communicate this vision to students and staff and make it part of the life of the school.

• Plans and leads professional development for Middle School staff on Two Rivers’ vision for school culture and student character, making decisions in a strategic way, balancing building strong relationships and maintaining high expectations for character for staff and students
• Work with the leadership team to assist in implementing a school-wide behavior management system with meaningful incentives for positive behavior and with effective and logical consequences for misbehavior. Ensure consistent understanding of the system among students, staff, and parents, ensure and consistent implementation among staff.
• Analyze discipline data, survey data and school-wide trends to identify needs, develop and implement plans to address school-wide needs. Share data and analysis with teachers and administration and use data to improve behavior and instructional practices.
• Supervise In School Suspension (ISS), lunch duty, and after school detention.

Collaboration and Communication

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with families; creating a culture and an expectation that teachers reach out to parents to proactively build relationships.
• Works with teachers and staff to promote the belief in equitable practices of behavior responses.
• Engage families in support of the school’s goals.
• Attend Grade Band meetings to provide character and culture support.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Principal and the Director of Special Education to support in the development and implementation of behavior plans.

Behavior Management

• Be posted at different positions during arrival and dismissal, ensuring students are meeting expectations, checking for uniforms, securing electronics, monitoring for safety and proactively building positive relationships.
• Ensure implementation of school-wide student culture policies, such as:
• Uniforms
• Cell phones
• Hallpasses
• Transitions
• Serve as a member of the crisis response team to respond according to the crisis plan.
• Act as the first responder to student behaviors and determine next steps for the student.
• Manage hallway transitions by ensuring students have permission and passes; redirect students to class as needed.
• Use Restorative Practices when providing social emotional support for students in need, including: guiding students through restorative reflection during In-School Suspension for a successful reentry into the community; conducting restorative meetings to resolve student conflicts or student conflicts with staff.
• Lead re-entry meeting for returning students (using restorative justice approaches) and serve as backup leader in emergency situations.
• Document and communicate student response process, prior to and after suspensions.
• Lead investigations for student issues with coordination of school administrators.
• Communicate regularly with families, including:
• Informing families of preliminary details of an incident
• Providing family status updates to ensure open, proactive communication is maintained
• Along with Assistant Principal, manage data collection of student reflections and incidents.
• Assign consequences for behaviors with approval from the Principal for level 2 and 3 behaviors.

Other Responsibilities

• Ensure that students, teachers, and families have a deep understanding of Two Rivers scholarly habits and of structures such as Community Meeting and crew
• Lead the Student Ambassador Program for sixth through eighth grades and shadow days
• Monitor weekly Community Meetings to ensure that they are high-quality and promote student ownership and pride in learning and supports teachers and students in delivering high-quality Community Meetings
• Work with Operations team to communicate with families about absences and tardies and creates action plans for families when there are concerns
• Participate in school leadership team meetings and share in the duties of running our MS campus
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Staff at Two Rivers are part of an energetic and caring team devoted to creating incredible schools. Ideal candidates will possess the following qualities/skills:

Skills and Characteristics

• Belief in the Two Rivers mission and educational model
• Ability to connect and effectively communicate with and engage families, students, and staff
• Proven track record of meeting high standards for student achievement
• Demonstrated ability to lead adults by nurturing their growth and investing in their success
• Capable of building trust and empowering others
• Ability to give and receive feedback
• Honesty and integrity
• Willingness to learn
• Demonstrated ability to lead through difficulty

Educational Background and Work Experience

• Successful experience leading a diverse community of educators, learners and families
• Several years of teaching experience with a track record of high student achievement
• Experience in a school leadership role is required
• Experience in a project-based learning school or a school in the EL Education network preferred but not required
• A master’s degree is highly preferred

All employees of the District of Columbia working in a school or child care center must be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have a religious or medical exemption.

Two Rivers is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate all applicants without unlawful consideration of race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.