Job details

Dean of Students - IMMEDIATE OPENING

About Mastery:

We believe educational inequity is the most pressing social problem facing our country and the civil rights issue of our day. Mastery exists to help solve this problem. Our ultimate goal is to create a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. We are organized around one driving mission: All students learn the academic and personal skills they need to be truly prepared for postsecondary success and able to pursue their dreams. To fulfill this mission, we attend to the whole child – academically and emotionally – matching high expectations for students with high levels of support.

Mastery Charter Schools is a nonprofit network of more than 24 schools serving over 14,000 students in Philadelphia and Camden. We are the largest turnaround school operator in the nation and have been lauded by President Obama and the US Department of Education for our ability to dramatically boost academic achievement in historically low-performing schools.

We know neighborhood schools matter, all students deserve access to a great education, and the people in our buildings can grow and develop sustainably to make the biggest impact possible in this work.

Mastery's Equity Vision:

We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to achieving our mission.

We strive to be an anti-racist school district that eliminates the inequities in academic achievement that limit our students’ choices; that cultivates classrooms where every student is affirmed, supported, and held to high expectations; and that nurtures a diverse organization where students, staff, and families are valued, respected, and included.

This role is eligible for up to $5,000 in bonuses as well as up to $5,000 for relocation expenses!

The Opportunity:

Mastery Schools is seeking dynamic and passionate Deans of Students to lead our urban school turn-around efforts in Philadelphia. Deans are responsible for ensuring that Mastery Schools are peaceful communities and that student attendance, punctuality and the focus on high academic achievement never falters. Through intense data management and tracking, incentive systems, facility and grounds monitoring, and climate initiatives, Mastery Deans know every student, can forecast distractions, and ensure that students proactively make the right choices. Deans work side by side with the instructional staff providing classroom management support and training. Additionally Deans work with students, providing them with the ongoing mentorship and direction they require to successfully navigate their educational experience and reach their most ambitious goals. All Mastery Charter schools have a “Culture Team” comprised of an Assistant Principal of School Culture and one or more deans. The Culture Team works collaboratively with other administrators, as well as the instructional staff, to ensure that the school’s climate reflects Mastery’s focus on college-bound academics and student fellowship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Assistant Principal for School Culture, ensuring a high achievement culture
Influencing the growth and development of an achievement-focused school culture through the Social Emotional Learning program, including leading circles, community meetings, and/or teaching SEL course(s)
Managing discipline for up to 800 students with a restorative justice model
Meeting with students, teachers and parents, collectively or independently, to implement ways to support a positive and cooperative school environment
Maintaining databases and up to date student information on attendance, discipline and merit records
Executing decisions based on reasonable judgment that strives to provide fair and equitable treatment and consideration for all students
Maintaining and monitoring safety and order by being accessible and visible in hallways, classrooms, during arrival/dismissal of students, lunch periods, after school programs including detention, homework club, etc.
Supporting teachers in developing and implementing classroom management strategies and plans for individual students as needed
When interventions and proactive approaches fail, Deans drive the discipline process including detention, suspension and related punitive actions.
Duties as assigned by supervisor or Principal to aid in the overall school culture

Qualifications:

General computer competency
Administrative background that reflects strong management and communication skills
Ability to work well in a team and enhance cooperative working relationships
Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated capacity to work with urban youth
Knowledge of public education and charter schools highly desirable but not required
Excels in problem solving, has a sense of humor and has a desire to provide only the highest quality education for students

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Education or related field
Minimum two (2) years of experience working within a school setting that serves school-aged children
Teaching experience preferred

Physical Requirements:

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required such as maneuvering in classrooms and office space-reaching file cabinets, filing, faxing, scanning, coping, typing, mailing, and making phone calls; Must be able to sit for up to two (2) hours looking at a computer monitor, using a keyboard and mouse and typing.

Mastery's Benefits Package:

We offer a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Some of our most popular benefits include our 403(b) retirement plan for PA employees (with a 5% match from Mastery), enrollment in the State of New Jersey Pension Plan for NJ employees, a robust Employee Assistance Program, mental health and counseling programs, an annual Professional Development Fund, and discounts and perks at a myriad of retailers, travel organizations, insurance providers, and so much more, as well as a Benefits VIP Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics!

Please go here to see all of our Benefits offerings!

Mastery's Annual Calendar:

As you plan to make Mastery your new work home, please feel free to review our PA Academic Calendar for SY 22/23 and our NJ Academic Calendar for SY 22/23. We like to think our calendar is a benefit of working here too!

Mastery Charter Schools is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

UPDATE AS OF January 2023 - Please review Mastery’s Health and Safety Plans here to learn about our approach to vaccination and testing as well as our response to COVID-19. For ongoing positions, Mastery roles are designated as in-person, with regular on-site responsibilities, unless otherwise noted. As such, Employees must be able to support Mastery Schools’ academic plan and business strategies on-site – at a Mastery campus - as required.

Exceptions to this requirement will be considered on an individualized basis.

Mastery Charter Schools Glassdoor Company Review

3.6