The Dean of Students provides administrative support managing student conduct and behavior to foster and maintain a positive school culture that promotes student growth and positive development. The dean’s responsibilities include managing a grade level; responding to grade-level student behavior(s), as well as supporting teachers with managing tier-one behavioral management structures; leading a student support team in the implementation of the MTSS framework; supporting special education compliance processes; and assisting staff with implementing tier one behavioral management; implementing a schoolwide PBIS structure that develops responsible student behavior and citizenship; and, promoting positive school climate, as well as fostering parent and community support.
The Dean of Students leads a grade-level student support team, i.e. MTSS Committee. The dean also supports an assigned grade-level caseload of students. The dean is an integral member of the school administrative leadership team and collaborates with a team of stakeholders, including fellow administrative team members, building and community stakeholders, and division administration.
This job reports to the school’s Principal.
Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree required.
Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education license required or eligibility to obtain one. Administration and Supervision endorsement required.
Experience: At least five years of K-12 school division experience (grades 6-8 (Middle School/PreK-8) grades 9-12 (high school) preferred); demonstrated competencies (engagements, observations, evaluations, and tracking tools) to assess and manage student behavior; experience developing and implementing school-wide behavior management programs, e.g., PBIS, Restorative Practices, as well as responding to the day-to-day behavioral needs of students.
Essential Functions
Collaborates with the administrative team to oversee a grade level of students, and through the Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports, implements data-informed interventions and supports to students in terms of behavioral, social-emotional, attendance, and academic needs.
Promotes student achievement and tracks student progress through data analysis and collaboration with all stakeholders.
In coordination with the Student Support Team (SST), develops positive relationships with students and oversees the implementation of student support plans and ensures the communication of all support plans with parents/guardians (caregivers).
Oversees student behavioral management issues and helps promote positive school behavior, i.e., PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports), including counseling and mentoring students.
Coordinates and/or conducts student suspensions and acts on student discipline referrals.
Provides re-entry (follow-up) communications with school counselors, parents, and social workers involving disciplinary and/or attendance issues.
Develops measurements of student behavior by tracking and reporting academic performance, monitoring the evaluation for student discipline, and utilizing related data to assess the effectiveness of interventions, via-PBIS.
Develops intervention strategies and organizes programs to ensure positive student conduct, e.g., peer-mediation programs and restorative practices.
Serves as liaison between the school and parents (caregivers), community organizations, and/or school police and law enforcement authorities by providing updates on student behavior policies and issues.
Coordinates with the Principal and Central Office staff on identifying alternative education programs as needed and assists with student transitions to and from the program.
Assists teachers, school counselors, and parents in developing student expectations and individual student behavior contracts (verbal or written).
Maintains familiarity with students receiving specialized services, via- 504 plans and/or IEPs (Individualized Education Program), to serve as a school administrator at special education and 504 meetings.
Provides all reports, e.g., written and oral, in a timely manner, ensuring discretion in maintaining the confidentiality of student information.
Fosters effective interpersonal relations and develops positive relationships with staff, students, parents, and community.
Establishes and implements high standards of student behavior and ethical conduct; develops and publishes respective input for student handbook and other related publications.
Works with school security staff and officers to move students to class on time; helps keep students in the classroom and ensures the overall safety and security of the school campus.
Works closely with the ACPS Office of Safety and Security to participate in advanced-level training related to school safety and turnkey relevant training to staff.
Helps manage the daily operations of the school campus including safety and security operational tasks, such as managing emergency drills, leading arrival/dismissal procedures, cafeteria duty, and attending evening activities, e.g., performance arts and athletic events.
Provides daily oversight to the team of school security officers (SSOs) and School Resource Officers (SROs).
Conducts frequent walkthroughs throughout the school and outdoor campus to serve as a highly visible presence to promote positive behavior and a safe/orderly school environment.
With the collaboration of school administrators, leads the development and implementation of programming related to a positive and safe learning environment, i.e., Restorative Practices, SEAL, and PBIS.
Identifies students with attendance and/or disciplinary issues to resolve those issues with school counselors, parents, and social workers to ensure a positive outcome.
Performs other job related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the high school.