High School Dean of Students (2025-2026)

Overview

Reports to: Director of School Culture & Family Engagement and PrincipalHours: 8:00am – 4:00pm + some out-of-school responsibilities, after-hours responsibilities (as determined by Principal)Compensation: $80,000-$101,342 (We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other. We take into consideration qualifications, credentials, years of experience, and one’s impact on behalf of the organization – internal and external equity is taken seriously. East Harlem Scholars Academies also offers a comprehensive benefits package.)FLSA Status: Exempt 

Who We Are

East Harlem Scholars Academies are community-based Pre-K to 12 public charter schools operated by East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP). EHTP began in 1958 as a children’s reading group and has since grown into a multi-site after-school program for traditional public school students and a network of public charter schools focused on significantly increasing the college graduation rate in East Harlem. We are on track to serve at least 25% of East Harlem students by 2025, with enrollment for this year at approximately 2200 students in our schools and after-school programs. In 2020, 99% of our seniors were accepted to college, and our current scholars in college are on track to graduate at eight times the national average of their peers.

At EHTP, we aim to serve as an agent of change and thoughtfully contribute to the national fight for racial equity. Through our organization-wide commitment to anti-racism work, we prepare our scholars to effect change, challenge the status quo, and thrive in the world around them. As staff members, we face our own racial identities and conscious and unconscious biases. With this in mind, all of our professional development, curriculum, organizational materials, and processes are designed with a goal of racial justice. Read our racial equity statement here.

We ground all of our work in racial equity, in our core values, and in our four guiding pursuits: the Revolutionary Pursuit of Love, the Radical Pursuit of Knowledge, the Responsive Pursuit of Healing, and the Relentless Pursuit of Results. These pursuits inform and are reflected in our current four key strategic priorities: to increase high-impact, high-quality academic curriculum, programming content, staff capacity, and coaching; to embrace and advance our use of technology; to deepen our embodiment of ethical and equitable radical humanity; and to efficiently operationalize teaching, learning, community, and care.

For more information about Scholars Academies, please visit us at www.eastharlemscholars.org.

About the Opportunity

The Dean of Students is a key culture leader responsible for cultivating a positive, inclusive, and engaging school environment where all students feel safe, known, and supported. This leader designs and leads systems that strengthen student behavior, social-emotional development, restorative practices, and student leadership. As an essential member of the culture leadership team, the Dean of Students collaborates closely with the Director of School Culture and Family Engagement to meet the culture goals of the schools. They respond to school-wide trends, coach staff on effective culture practices, lead proactive and responsive student supports, and partner with families to reinforce a consistent and caring school experience.

Areas of Leadership – Dean of Students

• Execute School Culture Plan: Support the execution of a comprehensive school culture plan aligned with the school’s mission and vision, under the guidance of the Director of School Culture.
• Implement Culture Systems: Drive consistent implementation of school-wide culture systems in hallways, common areas, and classrooms, ensuring alignment with the school’s expectations for safety, joy, and student engagement.
• Behavior Management & Student Support: Lead the development and day-to-day implementation of behavior management strategies that support all learners
• Teacher Culture Support: Coach and support teachers in maintaining strong, predictable classroom environments and upholding common picture systems, in collaboration with instructional leaders.
• Restorative Practices & SEL: Facilitate restorative justice practices and trauma-informed interventions to foster a positive and supportive student culture.
• Family Engagement: Partner with families to reinforce school-wide behavior expectations, support student development, and resolve concerns with empathy and consistency.
• Staff Development Support: Support the design and delivery of professional development related to behavior management, restorative approaches, and consistent culture systems.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediate conflicts between students and among school community members using de-escalation and restorative practices.
• Data-Driven Leadership: Track and analyze behavior and culture data to identify trends, target interventions, and report key insights to school leadership.
• Leadership Presence: Maintain a consistent and visible presence across the school day—especially during arrival, lunch, transitions, and dismissal—modeling professionalism, equity, and a deep belief in student potential.

Who You Are

• Education: A Bachelor’s Degree (in education, education leadership, or special education – preferred) A Master’s Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Special Education or a related field (preferred)

• At least 3 years of teaching, counseling, camp director, or similar experience

• At least 2 years of school, camp, child development leadership experience

• A strong believer in anti-racism education, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma-informed practices.

• Experience implementing restorative justice and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives

• Proven ability to develop and inspire teachers, providing coaching, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.

• Strong relationship-building skills with students, families, and staff.

• A strategic thinker who can manage school-wide initiatives, schedules, and resources effectively.

• Ability to navigate challenges with flexibility, resilience, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

• Demonstrates timeliness, accountability, and ethical leadership in all responsibilities.

• Maintains a growth mindset, embracing feedback and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities & Leadership Areas

School Culture & Student Engagement

• Support the implementation of a school culture rooted in EHTP’s mission, values, and anti-racism framework to ensure all students feel safe, known, and engaged.
• Lead restorative justice and trauma-informed practices that reduce exclusionary discipline and foster student accountability and community.
• Partner with teachers to create nurturing, structured classroom communities that uphold high expectations and consistency across the school.
• Manage student leadership opportunities and recognition systems that elevate student voice and celebrate positive behavior.
• Conduct regular culture walkthroughs and analyze school culture data (attendance, behavior, surveys) to guide responsive action planning and improvement.

Behavioral Support & Restorative Practices

• Manage the school-wide behavior response system, ensuring it is predictable, transparent, and equitable.
• Provide coaching and support to teachers and staff in proactive classroom management, de-escalation strategies, and consistent behavior expectations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-level student behavior concerns, partnering with families, counselors, and the Inclusive Learning team to craft appropriate responses.
• Collaborate with the Director of Inclusive Learning and school-based support staff on Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions, including FBAs and BIPs.
• Maintain and refine protocols for common area systems (arrival, breakfast, transitions, lunch, dismissal, etc.) that promote safety and order.
• Design meaningful behavior incentive systems and implement restorative consequences that align with school values.

Family & Community Engagement

• Build strong, trusting relationships with families through clear, responsive, and affirming communication.
• Act as a key liaison between school and home, ensuring family voices are included in school decision-making and problem-solving.
• Organize and facilitate family events, advisory councils, and workshops that promote academic and social-emotional learning at home.
• Partner with the Family Leadership Council and community organizations to expand access to mentorship, enrichment, and family resources.
• Ensure all staff follow consistent family communication protocols and maintain timely, constructive relationships with families.

Attendance & Student Support

• Monitor daily attendance trends and implement proactive interventions for students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
• Partner with families to address barriers to attendance and ensure consistent school engagement.
• Develop transition systems to support new students and families joining mid-year, helping them acclimate to school culture and routines.
• Maintain early warning indicators for disengagement and collaborate with student support teams on targeted interventions.

Leadership & Staff Collaboration

• Serve as a core member of the school leadership team, supporting alignment between instructional, operational, and cultural priorities.
• Provide coaching and support to members of the Culture Support Team (CST) to ensure shared accountability for school-wide culture systems.
• Collaborate with instructional leaders to support teacher growth in classroom culture, relationships, and restorative practices.
• Lead professional development for staff on behavior systems, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed practices.
• Take leadership over school-wide initiatives and spirit-building events that reinforce a joyful, inclusive school environment.

Intervention & Compliance Support

• Partner with the Director of Inclusive Learning on behavioral compliance for students with IEPs and students in the referral process.
• Ensure discipline actions align with restorative practices and legal guidelines for students with disabilities.
• Support staff in understanding and implementing Tier 2/3 behavioral interventions effectively and equitably.

Commitment to Out-of-School Time (OST)

• Partner with the OST team to ensure alignment between the academic day and extended-day programming.
• Support behavior systems and transitions within OST and coach staff as needed to ensure smooth and safe operations.

School-Based Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily common picture duties (arrival, lunch, recess, dismissal, etc.) to ensure calm and consistent schoolwide operations.
• Participate in or oversee a homeroom or advisory to foster community and build student relationships.
• Support students and staff on field experiences, school trips, and community-based learning.
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed in support of the Principal and broader school team.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to submit an application.