Dean of Students - West Street School

Background On Southbridge Public Schools

Southbridge Public Schools serve approximately 2,200 students in six schools. The district is presently undergoing extensive turnaround at all levels, with the assistance of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. This creates unique opportunities for teachers and students. One example is a recently announced, long-term partnership with the University of Connecticut to develop Southbridge Schools to be a national demonstration site for successful implementation of PBIS strategies. Additionally, our district is the recipient of a number of significant grants that are allowing us to creatively redesign Secondary School, curriculum enhancements, improved culture and climate and afterschool opportunities for students. If you feel strongly about improving the educational experience for students and have a commitment to social justice, Southbridge Public Schools welcomes you.

More information about the district’s turnaround efforts can be found here.

Position Summary: The Dean of Students works with the building administration in carrying out the school’s academic and behavior programs. As a professional educator the Dean of Students understands and responds to the challenges that represent Southbridge Public School's diverse student population. The Dean of Students provides proactive leadership to engage all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to support the students’ academic achievement, personal and social development. The Dean of Students works cooperatively with the principal, counselors, nurse, staff, students and parents towards a positive school climate. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening teacher capacity around cultural awareness and responsive classroom practices.

Supervision and Controls over the Work: The Dean of Students works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of the principal. The work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, and direction of the principal.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (duties and responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following):

• Serves as a resource for building staff, administrators, and parents in working with students, creating a positive school climate, and helping students develop a positive self-concept. Dean of Students Participates or leads development of positive behavior support systems and development of intervention strategies.
• Demonstrates ability to work successfully and positively with all students to provide them with assistance in meeting their educational needs. Coordinates, facilitates and implements disciplinary intervention steps, including PBIS, progressive discipline and processes with staff, working closely with the principal.
• Attends and participates in various leadership team meetings and other building meetings as assigned. Must possess the ability to interpret data accurately and make evidence based decisions and action plans for overall school improvement.
• Coordinates, facilitates and implements and supports teachers in implementing tiered systems of support both academic and behaviorally. Including but not limited to holding attendance conferences, making home visits, and preparing discipline reports per district policy.
• Assists with school-wide and event supervision.
• This is a 12-month position
  
  

Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. Ability to support and value the efforts of ongoing cultural community projects and events. Skills and ability to serve as an educational leader including the ability to plan, organize, and facilitate staff meetings, and professional development. The candidate should exhibit strong assessment, analytical and diagnostic skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Hold a valid Supervisor/Director Massachusetts Teaching License preferred;
• Bilingual skills; preferred
• PBIS Experience
• Safety Care Trained
• Familiar with SWIS
• Five years demonstrated successful teaching and/or counseling experience at elementary or school level preferred.
  
  

Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to monitor students who are dysregulated and may need to utilize applied non-violence training techniques to manage student conduct. The employee may be required to restrain students weighing more than 100 pounds most typically when required to intervene in student safety issues.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Southbridge Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.