Dean Of Instruction Fellow

Classification: Exempt

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Gestalt Community Schools is a system of K-12 college-preparatory charter schools in targeted Tennessee communities. GCS schools provide strong academic outcomes for their scholars through initiatives, including meaningful community involvement. GCS catalyzes community leadership to help revitalize the neighborhood as it operates its schools in that community. Instead of debating whether education impacts the community or vice versa, GCS believes integrating education and community is the most effective method to support student achievement (a true “Gestalt”).

The Dean of Instruction Fellowship allows aspiring instructional leaders to develop the skills and mindset necessary to drive high-quality teaching and learning in a high-performing charter school. The fellow is a key member of the school’s leadership team and supports the academic program through coaching, data analysis, and instructional systems implementation. This emerging instructional leader will be immersed in a comprehensive one-year, school-based fellowship, working closely with a Gestalt Community Schools mentor Principal and/or Dean of Instruction while completing targeted projects and assignments aligned to the fellowship.

The program requirements will determine leadership responsibilities and strongly emphasize the instructional strengths and growth areas of both the fellow and the assigned school.

The Dean of Instruction fellowship at Gestalt Community Schools is designed to cultivate effective instructional leaders through a structured program grounded in the 8 Levers of Effective School Leadership. To successfully transition into a Dean of Instruction role, fellow must meet specific criteria, including:

• Successful Program Completion: Candidates must complete all required components of the fellowship, including instructional coaching cycles, data analysis, professional development facilitation, and mentorship experiences that build capacity to lead teaching and learning.
• Scoring “Effective” in All
  
  Competencies:
  
  Candidates are assessed using a Leadership Framework that outlines the competencies necessary for successful instructional leadership. To be eligible for a Dean of Instruction position, candidates must score “effective” or higher in each competency, demonstrating readiness to lead academic outcomes at the school level.

By fulfilling these requirements, candidates will be prepared to take on the responsibilities of a Dean of Instruction within the Gestalt Community Schools network, pending available opportunities.

Drive Results Through Data
Consistently use interim, formative, and summative assessment data to monitor student progress and ensure all scholars are on track to meet academic goals. Translate data into clear action steps that improve instructional outcomes.

Build a Data-Driven Culture
Establish and reinforce systems and routines that ensure teachers regularly analyze student data, reflect on performance, and adjust instruction accordingly. Foster a culture where data is used proactively and consistently to drive decision-making.

Lead Effective Data Meetings
Facilitate structured data meetings using a “See It, Name It, Do It” approach to identify trends, determine root causes, and develop targeted action plans. Ensure follow-through and accountability for implementation and results.

Ensure Lesson Fidelity
Ensure all teachers develop and execute high-quality, standards-aligned lesson plans that reflect curriculum expectations and rigor. Monitor and support consistent implementation across classrooms.

Drive Aggressive Monitoring
Support teachers in actively monitoring student understanding during lessons through checks for understanding, questioning strategies, and real-time adjustments to instruction.

Strengthen Response to Data
Ensure teachers effectively respond to student errors through targeted reteach, meaningful discourse, and consistent mastery checks to close learning gaps.

Build Strong Academic Habits
Promote and reinforce school-wide expectations…