Location: Smyrna, Tennessee
School Type: Public Charter School
Start Date: January 2027
About Us
Novus SMART Academy is launching a brand new, mission-driven public charter school in Rutherford County, Tennessee! Our mission is to provide scholars with an extraordinary learning experience, where college and career begin in Kindergarten. Our vision is to produce global achievers through high-quality academic instruction and character development, with a relentless drive for success in life. As a founding team member, you won’t just be taking a job! You’ll be helping to build something from the ground up!
Who We’re Looking For: Hungry, Humble, and Smart
As the Founding Dean of Academics & Scholar Access, this leader will design and oversee schoolwide academic systems to ensure every scholar has access to high-quality learning experiences. This leader will serve as both a coach and a systems-builder, equipping teachers to meet the diverse needs of scholars while building lasting structures that will scale as our school grows.
We are seeking a Founding Dean of Academics & Scholar Access who embodies the three virtues outlined in Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player:
- Hungry: You have an unshakable drive to remove barriers, solve problems, and go above and beyond for scholars, families, and staff. You thrive on building systems that ensure no scholar falls through the cracks.
- Humble: You put scholars and the team before yourself. You listen first, collaborate openly, and lead with integrity. You believe shared success is more important than personal recognition.
- Smart: You understand people and relationships. You navigate tough conversations with empathy and clarity, building trust with scholars, families, teachers, and colleagues alike.
Core Competencies (copy/paste): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EgudTfBr5prX1PFLm3OQsacoh6iniANt/view?usp=sharing
Required Qualifications
- Valid Tennessee teacher’s license with a Special Education endorsement.
- Minimum 5 years of teaching experience in the field of Special Education, with evidence of strong classroom culture and student academic outcomes.
- Strong knowledge of MTSS and data-driven instruction and intervention systems.
- Demonstrated success in building inclusive learning environments.
Preferred Qualifications
- Valid Tennessee admin license.
- Administrative or supervisory experience (school-level or district-level).
- Endorsement in Gifted Education and/or ESL
- Experience leading compliance in Special Education.
- Experience in a startup, charter, or fast-paced school environment.
- Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly preferred (Spanish in addition to other languages).
Why Join Us?
- Innovate and create programs that don’t just meet compliance, but inspire excellence.
- Impact generations to ensure every child has access to the education they deserve.
- Work in an environment where Hungry, Humble, and Smart isn’t just a slogan! It’s how we live and lead every day.
- Competitive salary and benefits with opportunities for growth as the school expands.
The chance to make a lasting difference for scholars and families in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
