Dean of Student Support and Belonging

Mission

At The Girls’ Middle School each day is filled with learning and the spirit of adventure. Since its founding in 1998, The Girls’ Middle School (GMS) has been committed to progressive education and innovative programming, meeting the needs of a wide range of middle school students who make up our vibrant, inclusive community. Our project-based curriculum encourages creative problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and independent thought.

GMS educates girls
* during a pivotal time in their lives. Students develop self-knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills supported by a staff highly attuned to their changing emotional and social needs. GMS encourages students to find their voices, take risks, and become self-reliant. Learn more about GMS:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and

* At GMS, “girls” refers to cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth, and any girl-identified youth.

The Dean of Student Support and Belonging leads the school’s work to ensure that every student at The Girls’ Middle School experiences belonging, safety, identity affirmation, and equitable supports for learning. Reporting to the Assistant Head of School, this role partners closely with the School Counselor, Teaching and Learning Facilitator, and Learning Specialist to facilitate student leadership activities, community building events, cultural programming, wellness, and intervention services.

The Dean will also be the point person for responding to student disciplinary needs by facilitating restorative practices. This is a leadership role for a professional with experience in program design and implementation.

The Dean implements restorative practices and prevention systems for all students, and ensures accommodations are in place for neurodiverse learners. The Dean also guides faculty on culturally responsive teaching, adolescent development, and anti-bias pedagogy. This leader advances a school culture that centers student voice, equity, inclusion, and growth, and cultivates systems where students take ownership of community norms and learn how to repair harm and restore relationships.

At the core of GMS is our extraordinary faculty. Every teacher at GMS has a passion for working with middle school girls and believes in the fundamental value of the middle school experience. They are attentive to, value, and support every student in the school. The GMS teachers are middle school specialists and subject matter experts, bringing passion to their work and sharing it with the students.

Whatever interests a GMS student – from physics to programming, sculpture to skateboarding, musical theatre to metal shop – there is an adult ready to help them advance that interest as far as they can go.

The Dean of Student Life, like the members of the GMS Faculty, participates in a joyful, inclusive, and respectful community of students and adults. You will be surrounded by enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-driven faculty who appreciate autonomy in creating learning experiences while thriving in a collaborative environment. Our teachers enjoy opportunities to create multi-faceted, interdisciplinary projects and participate in engaging field trips and travel experiences.

Serving also as an administrator at GMS, the Dean of Student Life is responsible for supporting faculty initiatives in support of the student experience.

• Manage equity-centered student support systems for grades 6–8.
• Partner with counselor, learning support staff, instructional coach, teachers, and families to coordinate student-centered supports that can be implemented in progressive classrooms
• Lead restorative practices, including community building efforts, student leadership programs, cultural programming, advising programs, and wellness programming
• Manage student discipline protocols, including prevention, tiered interventions, conflict resolution, and mediations
  
  Partner with the Learning Specialist to implement and monitor accommodations; co-develop family and student support plans
• Consult with teachers to develop support strategies that maintain high expectations alongside…