Position: Dean of Academics 9-12
Employed By: GECS
Reports to: Executive Director
Duty Year: Calendar Year, 12 Months
Job Summary:
The Dean of Academics 9-12 is responsible and accountable for shaping a vision of academic success for all students in grades 9-12 that adhere to the Academy’s mission, vision, and philosophy. He / She creates a climate of high expectations, cultivating leadership in others, inspiring teachers to excel in their jobs and motivates students and staff to achieve their highest potential. The Dean of Academics 9-12 provides instructional and administrative leadership, as well as classroom management oversight to the teachers and support staff under his/her direct reports. The Dean of Academics 9-12 oversees implementation of curriculum, coordinates and monitors student academic performance and coordinates state, authorizer, and internal exams. Additionally, the Dean of Academics 9-12 works collaboratively with others to create a positive school culture keeping the whole child at the forefront.
The Dean of Academics 9-12 is responsible and accountable for the academic success of students in grades 9-12. He/she inspires teachers to excel in their jobs and motivates students to achieve their highest potential, both academically and behaviorally. The Dean of Academics 9-12 provides instructional and administrative leadership, as well as classroom management oversight to the High School teaching and support staff and oversees implementation of curriculum, coordinates state, authorizer, and internal exams, and monitors overall student academic performance.
Description of Duties:
Staff Management
- Meet/consult with the Director of Curriculum personnel, Instructional Coaches, and the Executive Director
- Determine and recommend optimum staffing needs for the High School
- Screen and interview prospective teachers and make hiring recommendations to the Executive Director
- Train and support teachers in the overall Academy philosophy and best practices in instructional teaching strategies and classroom management strategies
- Assist in planning of teacher workshops and in-service days
- Determine and recommend teachers' instructional responsibilities and workloads
- Assign additional duties: tutors for tier 2 and tier 3 English or math, advisory period supervision
- Meet weekly with Director of Curriculum personnel and subject level teachers to discuss academic issues and/or student concerns
- Review lesson plans submitted by teachers for weekly planning
- Support teachers by offering instructional and classroom management expertise
- Address/resolve staff concerns
- Monitor and assess teacher performance
Academic
- Ensure the academic success of students
- Recommend necessary actions and strategies
- Oversee effective implementation of curriculum and instruction
- Review and implement pacing charts
- Effectively coordinate the administration of state or authorizer tests/exams
- Coordinate the timely and accurate data entry of scores
- Thoroughly analyze tests results and academic performance, identify problems, recommend, and implement solutions in a timely manner
- Recommend, design, and oversee a quality summer school program
- Review report cards for accuracy in academic entries and behavior reporting
Gr. 9-12 Operations
- Ensure that materials and textbooks are accurate and matched to the pacing charts that outline the curriculum
- As applicable, work collaboratively with Director of Curriculum personnel to secure additional materials needed to meet state-mandated curriculum and/or state testing requirements
- Coordinate with special area teaching specialists to ensure delivery of quality programs
- Effectively coordinate referral of students with perceived special needs to appropriate personnel
- Plan and lead assigned Academy events and programs
Student/Parent Relations
- Lead/promote an insistence on respect and responsibility on the part of all students to promote high standards in the areas of academics
- Reinforce positive student behavior and establish rapport with students
- Advise/talk to groups and whole classes to support teachers in student management efforts or to discuss social problems or concerns
- Counsel difficult students with serious behavioral or academic problems – meet with parents as necessary
- Discuss individual academic student concerns with parents as requested
- Determine class placement per teacher and grade level for High School students each new school year
- Recommend promotion or retention for each student at the conclusion of each school year
- Recommend required or strongly encouraged summer school participation in the spring of each school year
- Determine High School awards for Senior Night and other events as needed – communicate with parents via updates
- Serve as liaison between the Academy and the Parent Connection on an as needed basis
Admissions and Placement
- Ensure appropriate placement of applicants
- Actively participate in explaining Academy’s philosophy and system to staff, parents, students, and the community at large
- Review new applicant files for admissions and appropriate placement
- Meet with applicant families upon request
- Hold discussion with and evaluate individual applicants with placement concerns
- Write student recommendations for student transfers upon request
- Plan and lead Academy events as they pertain to High School, such as Back-to-School Night, informational sessions for current parents and marketing events for prospective parents
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in secondary education; master's degree preferred
- All administrators or other person whose primary responsibility is administering instructional programs or as a chief business official shall meet the certification and continuing education requirements as described in MCL 380.1246
- Exemplary teaching experience
- Two (2) years of administrative or comparable experience preferred
- Evidence of recent and ongoing professional development
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Evidence to support community involvement and leadership
- Criminal records clearance
Education & Experience
All administrators or other persons whose primary responsibility is administering instructional programs or as a chief business official shall meet the certification and continuing education requirements as described in MCL 380.1246. It is the employee’s responsibility to understand and fulfill any license and training obligations specific to position and/or for equipment that will be operated.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
In order to successfully perform the essential duties of this job, the employee would ideally be able to meet the following physical demands:
- Occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Stand and walk frequently.
- Withstand all demands presented by outside weather conditions at any time of the year.
- Withstand a moderate noise level.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
