[2024 - 2025] Dean of Culture & Instruction (Resume Collection)

Charlotte, NC, United States

[2024 - 2025] Dean of Culture & Instruction (Resume Collection) Full-time

Start Date: Next year opening

Organizational Overview

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of eight tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of culturally relevant curricula that are grounded in research, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

KIPP North Carolina is also committed to building the pipeline of the state’s most talented and effective teachers and leaders through competitive compensation, integrated professional development lead by coaches and mentors, and resources they need to succeed, all rooted in core values that articulate our collectively designed organizational beliefs:

Pursue Excellence -

We uphold high standards for our staff, and are committed to providing the necessary resources, training, mentorship and feedback to help each staff member not only meet, but exceed, expectations. We believe excellence is a habit and a sustained pursuit, not an endpoint.

Build Knowledge -

We offer our educators robust school-based, regional and external professional development opportunities, before the start of and during the school year, designed to empower them with the latest teaching strategies and technology integration techniques. School Leaders and a statewide teacher development team provide professional coaching for school-based staff and foster collaborative learning, encouraging the exploration of effective teaching strategies and best practices.

As a staff, we dismantle the white supremacy within our institution and deepen our own learning and understanding of anti-racism and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) through providing organization-wide regular workshops designed to holistically guide us through the redesign of our workplace culture through the lens of liberation. Additionally, we train and prepare our educators to deliver culturally responsive curricula that respect learners' cultures and prior experiences, and acknowledge and value the legitimacy of different cultures, not just the dominant culture of a society.

Spark Joy -

We believe in publicly and privately acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our staff, and recognize exceptional individuals across the region. We also understand the importance of fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. We organize monthly school-based staff outings to provide an opportunity for our team to unwind, socialize, and engage in activities that promote camaraderie and a sense of community.

Rise Together -

We create space for our region to assemble and celebrate all successes - a space in which we strengthen community by embracing each other’s unique identities, and honoring the contributions that will allow us to lift as we rise in the years ahead. We believe Team always beats Individual.

Position Overview

The Dean of Culture and Instruction (DCI) serves as an active member of the School Leadership Team and reports to the Principal. They are instrumental in ensuring and maintaining a safe and nurturing learning environment for students and staff. The DCI will oversee and lead the development and growth of a positive, structured, and achievement oriented school and student culture. In addition, they will support teachers to effectively develop a strong classroom culture and model for student behavior management. They will work with students and families to improve student behavior in order to ensure success in the classroom. Finally, they will develop and encourage a positive staff culture.

DCI roles and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Model positive interactions with students, as well as a variety of ways (principles of Love and Logic, Lemov techniques, etc) to handle misbehavior and disruptions

Plan, implement, and provide ongoing professional development and feedback to all staff focused on building positive student relationships, student culture, and classroom community

Support teachers in class to problem solve ways to address challenging student behavior

Serve as a resource for teachers to determine best ways to develop student management techniques

Collaborate with the school social workers to support at-risk and in-crisis students

Provide students in crisis with a space and strategies to cope, and/or improve in-class behaviors

Serve as the coordinator and leadership point person for student removals/in-school or out-of-school suspensions

Communicate with families of students in-crisis on a regular basis, and collaborate/problem solve the best ways to address student behaviors and support student needs

Lead/Assist in the creation and implementation of individual behavior plans for students who need extra support

Lead pairing meetings with Co-teachers to discuss individual student needs, as well as classroom needs (as necessary).

Student Culture/Character/SEL Development:

Provide teachers with professional development/resources to build a positive student and classroom culture

Lead the implementation of KDCP values integration/character development/Social Emotional Learning into classroom community

Plan and Manage Advisory/Community Meetings and Pride Time

Create structures and expectations for increasing student independence in the classroom and throughout the school.

Professional Development for Staff :

Prioritize staff training needs and organize a plan for individual and staff-wide professional development focused on school and student culture, discipline, and character/SEL development; to oversee the implementation of the plan and to revise as necessary in response to student and teacher needs

Conduct classroom observations and to follow-up with targeted feedback and support for teachers that help them to become even more effective teachers; to be available to work with teachers to problem-solve areas of classroom discipline, behavior, and culture/community difficulty

Collaborate with Leadership Team to plan summer training and professional development full-days and half-days during the school year

Develop a menu of internal and external professional development opportunities available to our teachers and consistent with our mission/vision

Be a regular presence in classrooms, informally observing and following-up with teachers in order to improve teacher effectiveness

Utilize a variety of techniques (video, literal notes, real-time coaching, etc) to provide feedback and coaching to staff

Instructional Coaching: Observations/Feedback for Individual Teachers

Conduct weekly O3s with all direct reports o O3s should include time for relationship building, gathering feedback, assessing individual needs, and providing feedback (instructional and other, as needed)

Conduct weekly, bi-weekly, or tri-quarterly observations (depending on teacher needs); to follow up these observations with both one-on-one and written feedback o Based on observations and assessment of teacher need, this may include modeling for the teacher, providing video resources, co-observing in another classroom, real-time coaching, etc.

Provide lesson plan feedback as needed to staff members (specifically direct reports)

Recognize and celebrate student achievement and staff professional growth and success

Contribute to and participate in comprehensive mid-year and end-of-year staff performance evaluations for direct reports

Contribute to the successful implementation of our teacher induction program and to develop or recommend workshops appropriate to staff needs

Family Engagement:

Facilitate, encourage and increase family engagement, relationships, communication, and participation

Create and lead a schedule of events throughout the year to involve families in school community

Lead onboarding process for new families, potentially involving home visits with new parents

Serve as Faculty Advisor to KIPP Family Association

Organize and implement family engagement events/activities atKDCP including but not limited to: Coffee and Conversations, Potential Family Breakfasts, Family Workshops, School-wide family engagement events such as Family Feast, Family Saturdays and Family Conferences

Facilitate family communication via weekly family newsletter

Required Qualifications

A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students

An unwavering commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion

Possess a deep commitment to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from low-income communities

Active NC Teaching License or ability to seek reciprocity

3+ years of full-time teaching experience

Pass Criminal Background Check

Demonstrated commitment to closing the opportunity gap

Zest, grit, professionalism, creativity, growth mindset, solutions-orientated, and a sense of humor

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in education or human services, emphasizing K-12 social development, teacher or support Services Licensure desirable

5+ years of full-time teaching experience

Fluency in Spanish

Additional Information

Hours are 7am - 5pm, Monday - Friday

Curriculum, materials, and resources are provided

School Leaders are 12 month employees and work through the summer

Compensation

We currently offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including:

Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents

Enrollment in a retirement program with employer match

Monthly Principal meetings in-person and virtual

Support from Relay GSE

Leadership coaches

Generous time off: Paid Time Off (17days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually)

Time off for all major national holidays (including Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break)

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