Dean Of Academics (Helena-West Helena/Blytheville)

Company Description

KIPP Delta is part of the nationwide KIPP non-profit network of 275 college-preparatory, public charter schools educating early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students. KIPP Delta currently serves more than 1,200 students across 5 schools in Helena and Blytheville, AR.

Job Description

The Dean of Academics is primarily responsible for the ongoing development,

implementation, and assessment of the curriculum and learning at KIPP Delta

Public Schools. The Dean is responsible for assisting the School Director/Principal

in providing the instructional and administrative leadership necessary for

addressing student achievement, ensuring rigorous instruction, and driving the

overall academic effectiveness for all schools. The Dean will be responsible for

creating an environment that delivers quality instruction, develops teachers, and

enables students to make significant growth each academic year. The Dean will

also observe teachers, provide instructional coaching, and manage teacher

performance evaluations with the Campus President.

The Dean of Academics oversees all facets of the school's operation that directly

impact student learning. This includes the monitoring of classroom instruction,

management of all internal and external assessment data, and management of

the school's daily schedule and structure. The Academic Dean is responsible for

direct oversight of instructional staff. The Academic Dean reports directly to the

School Director/Principal and works closely with the executive academic team and

designee(s) to achieve ambitious academic outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsibilities for the Dean position will include, but are not limited to the following:

Research, design, and/or supplement the academic curriculum for all

subjects and grades in all schools based on successful models and

approaches; in alignment with the school's charter, School Improvement

Plan, and any associated academic growth or school-wide improvement

plans.

Plan and execute professional development opportunities for teachers

including workshops on interpreting data, curriculum mapping, vertical

alignment, and other external professional development opportunities.

Direct the school's standards-based assessment strategies and systems to

support a data-driven culture where assessments are used to increase

learning and support all students.

Oversee the development and implementation of a rigorous, college

preparatory curriculum including an academic approached aligned to state

standards and assessment processes.

Monitor grade-level progress against scope and sequence benchmarks.

Assess the efficacy of curriculum and interventions, vet innovative

programs/resources, oversee implementation of curriculum and

interventions, and make recommendations as needed (including special

education)

Develop and execute a framework for the strategic use of data; support the

team in using student and staff performance data to drive improved

teaching and learning.

Support teachers in designing effective and rigorous lesson plans with

specific, measurable, and standards-based objectives.

Observe classes regularly and create a system for timely and relevant

feedback.

Facilitate collaboration and sharing among teachers including peer

observations, coaching and mentorship, and joint planning sessions.

Manage the SPED Faculty Lead and oversee all IEP, SST, and 504 meetings as

necessary.

Work with intervention specialists to provide constructive feedback on

teachers' planning and assessment materials to ensure that our students'

diverse learning needs are being met.

In conjunction with the administrative team, coordinate summer staff

orientation and curriculum development; ensure access to and participation

in high-quality internal and external professional development for staff;

throughout the school year.

Participate in staff recruitment; staff orientation, student/family recruitment,

and student/family orientation.

Collaborate with the School Director/ Principal, the Special Education Lead,

the Guidance Counselor, and other school staff and community partners to

maximize the schools' ability to support students' academic and socio-

emotional development

Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Essential Priorities and Development Opportunities:

Internal Summative and Formative Assessment Systems

Through collaboration with teachers, oversee the design of summative

benchmark assessments to measure growth and identify performance gaps

at the unit level.

With teachers, perform data analysis of formative and summative

assessments to identify gains and performance gaps.

Through weekly collaboration with teachers, facilitate and evaluate

assessment-driven and student-specific methods for (re)teaching,

enrichment, and further individualization.

Work with teachers to design and administer (re)assessments following

(re)teaching and differentiation.

Using eSchool, Triand, and Clever, oversee the entry of internal assessment

data that is in alignment with the schools' academic systems. Ensure that

students' mastery grades represent a valid and reliable measure of student

performance.

Benchmark Assessment

Train staff and oversee the administration of benchmark assessments

including the NWEA MAP Assessment, I-Ready, Atlas, and other externally

created benchmark assessments.

With teachers, perform data analysis of benchmark assessment data to

identify gains and performance gaps.

Develop effective systems and structures to communicate student

performance data to all stakeholders, including students and families.

Statewide Assessment

Serve as the school's testing coordinator, overseeing the successful

administration of all state assessments. Train staff and ensure that each test

administration follows all district and state guidelines.

Analyze external assessment items and samples to inform classroom

instruction and the creation of interim assessments.

Annually, develop a systematic plan to prepare students for the state

assessment, including the development of a school-wide tracking system

and investment plan.

Develop internally created practice assessments that are in alignment with

state assessments and can be used to measure students' proficiency on the

state assessment.

In collaboration with teachers, perform item and trend analysis on all

practice assessments to identify gains and performance gaps.

Through collaboration with teachers, facilitate and evaluate assessment-

driven and student-specific methods for (re)teaching, enrichment, and

further individualization.

Teacher Coaching and Support

Conduct weekly observations of teachers' instruction and provide

substantive, data-driven feedback that leads to sustained teacher growth

and improvement over time.

Provide weekly planning feedback to teachers surrounding lesson plans and

daily instruction.

Using observation tools and data, perform trend analysis and classroom-

level performance targets to improve teaching effectiveness.

Professional Development

Collaborate with the School Director/Principal and the administrative team

to design, implement, and evaluate school-wide teacher professional

development consistent with the school's mission and model, and students'

needs.

Design and conduct summer Teacher Orientation sessions.

Design and conduct ongoing and sustained professional development

during the school year.

Coordinate and support individualized teacher professional development

and assist teachers in the development and assessment of professional

development plans.

Conduct formal evaluations of teacher's performance to track teacher

growth over time and assist teachers in the development of individualized

and sustained professional growth.

Teacher Leadership

Collaborate with the administrative team to design, implement, and

evaluate differentiated roles for teachers through which leadership and new

competencies can be developed.

Support teacher leadership through coaching and facilitation relative to

teachers' individual leadership goals.

Student and Staff Culture

Cultivate and sustain a culture of achievement and excellence among all

faculty, staff, and students.

Develop and implement an investment plan for teachers and staff to sustain

a positive and healthy school culture and climate.

In collaboration with the School Director/ Principal, consistently evaluate

staff and student culture, and plan targeted interventions to address gaps

and areas of concern.

Supporting Parent Involvement

Identify, design, and support methods of involving parents in their student's

education in meaningful ways.

Support teachers and all school staff in developing and sustaining strong

relationships with parents and families.

In collaboration with the School Director/ Principal, and School Counselor,

coordinate parent and community outreach efforts.

Articulate and model the school's values to scholars, families, staff, and the

community.

Daily Schedule and Structure of Instruction

Maintain and adjust a daily schedule that prioritizes instructional time.

In collaboration with the administrative team, adjust and revise school

structures and systems to respond to observational data and student

performance measures.

Design and implement Community Meetings that target specific academic

areas of growth, to include differentiating structures by grade level.

Reports and Academic Team

Supervises and Manages the Guidance Department

Supervises and Manages the SPED Department

Qualifications

Master's degree in education.

Minimum of 3 years of academic leadership experience.

Leadership license recommended/ not required.

Additional Information

Salary

• Our compensation is very competitive and is commensurate with experience

• Free individual level health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision*

• Free individual short-term and long-term disability insurance *

• 403(b) retirement program with a company match *

• To support teacher practice and their growth, all lead teachers receive individualized coaching and professional development

As an equal opportunity employer, KIPP Delta does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other basis made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations.