Dean of Students

About Mastery:

Founded in 2001, Mastery Schools is a public charter network of 23 K-12 schools in Philadelphia and Camden, serving more than 14,000 students. 

At Mastery, we’re on a mission to provide all students with the academic and personal skills they need to succeed after graduation and pursue their dreams. Student achievement is not just a goal for our organization; it's the reason we exist, and every member of our team is dedicated to securing student success. We are also committed to pursuing equity, actively disrupting systemic racism, and addressing the disparities that limit our students' choices. 

Our culture is built on respect, service, and the belief that the success of our students, their families, and the communities we serve will help us achieve our mission. We foster a positive, open, and inclusive environment where honesty, humor, and continuous improvement are celebrated.

Join us in creating a model urban school district that serves all students with excellence. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

The Opportunity:   The Dean of Students plays a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive, achievement-focused school culture. This position spearheads the implementation of the Mastery School Culture Model, shaping a culture that prioritizes achievement, positive outcomes and sense of belonging. The Dean will model restorative discipline practices and build strong relationships with students, families, and staff to promote a safe, positive, and engaged learning environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, including community meetings, classroom circles, and SEL courses.
• Support restorative discipline practices and manage student behavior for up to 900 students.
• Develop and execute student support intervention plans for students with frequent infractions or absenteeism.
• Partner with teachers to develop and implement classroom management strategies for individual students.
• Engage with students, families, and staff to foster a strong sense of belonging and accountability.
• Manage student behavior data, including attendance, discipline, and merit records, to track trends and inform interventions. 
• Oversee student supervision during key modes of operation such as arrival, dismissal, lunch, transitions, and after-school programs.
• Facilitate detention, suspension, and other disciplinary actions in alignment with the school’s Code of Conduct.
• Collaborate with the school social worker to proactively address school-wide behavioral concerns.
• Actively participate in crisis prevention, de-escalation techniques, and other safety interventions, including participating in training and physical maneuvers as necessary to ensure a safe environment.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and guidance to help students navigate their educational experience and achieve their highest potential.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to enhance school culture and student success.

Qualifications:

• Lead the implementation of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) programs, including community meetings, classroom circles, and SEL courses.
• Support restorative discipline practices and manage student behavior for up to 900 students.
• Develop and execute student support intervention plans for students with frequent infractions or absenteeism.
• Partner with teachers to develop and implement classroom management strategies for individual students.
• Engage with students, families, and staff to foster a strong sense of belonging and accountability.
• Manage student behavior data, including attendance, discipline, and merit records, to track trends and inform interventions. 
• Oversee student supervision during key modes of operation such as arrival, dismissal, lunch, transitions, and after-school programs.
• Facilitate detention, suspension, and other disciplinary actions in alignment with the school’s Code of Conduct.
• Collaborate with the school social worker to proactively address school-wide behavioral concerns.
• Actively participate in crisis prevention, de-escalation techniques, and other safety interventions, including participating in training and physical maneuvers as necessary to ensure a safe environment.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and guidance to help students navigate their educational experience and achieve their highest potential.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to enhance school culture and student success.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working in a school setting serving school-aged children.
• Teaching experience preferred.
• Fluent in English and Spanish.

Physical Requirements:

• This role requires frequent movement throughout the school building, standing for extended periods, monitoring student activities, and engaging in crisis prevention or de-escalation techniques as needed; reasonable accommodations will be made as necessary.

Salary and Bonus Information:

• This role is eligible for a $3,000 signing bonus New-to-Mastery Deans can expect a starting salary between $60,900 and $77,500, based on experience and education.
• The full salary range for this role is $60,900 to $102,500, with opportunities for growth as your career progresses. All offers are reviewed individually to ensure equity in compensation and to reflect relevant experience. 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 for full-time employees), 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 access to the Health Advocate Helpdesk to help you navigate various benefits-related topics. Please go here to see all of our Benefits offerings!   Annual Calendar:   As you plan to make Mastery your new work home, please feel free to review our calendar here. We like to think our calendar is a benefit of working here too!   Why You Should Apply:   Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. Mastery may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.