K-2 Academic Dean

Poly is seeking a K–2 Academic Dean to support the strength, consistency, and growth of the early elementary academic program. This role partners closely with the Lower School Director and the 3–5 Academic Dean, and collaborates with the Lower School leadership team, including the Dean of Teaching and Learning and the Dean of Student Life, to support high-quality instruction, curriculum alignment, student intervention, parent education, and school wide initiatives.

The K–2 Academic Dean serves as both an academic leader and instructional coach, working alongside teachers to strengthen instructional practice, support lesson design, use assessment data meaningfully, and implement developmentally appropriate strategies for differentiation and student support. This individual also works directly with students, inside or outside of the classroom, when targeted academic intervention, observation, modeling, or short-term skill support is needed.

The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of early childhood development, foundational literacy and numeracy, play-based learning, developmentally appropriate practice, and early intervention, along with a commitment to culturally responsive teaching, inclusive instructional practices, and learning environments where all students feel seen, supported, and challenged.

Reporting to the Director of the Lower School, the successful candidate will take a student-centered approach to all school work and will use the school’s mission to design and support the academic, extracurricular, social, and emotional success of students.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Partner with K–2 teachers to strengthen instructional practice through observation, reflection, feedback, and coaching.
• Support teachers with lesson design, differentiation, classroom instruction, assessment practices, and student support.
• Serve as a thought partner as teachers respond to a range of student learning needs.
• Help teachers use student work, classroom observations, and assessment data to inform instruction and determine next steps.
• Support professional growth through modeling, co-planning, resource sharing, and reflective conversations. Build trusting relationships with faculty through a coaching stance grounded in collaboration and respect.
• Support teachers in implementing culturally responsive, inclusive, and student-centered instructional practices.

• Support curriculum review, development, and alignment across Kindergarten through Grade 2.
• Ensure that early elementary instruction reflects developmentally appropriate practice, play-based learning, and strong foundational skill development.
• Partner with grade-level teams to ensure that curriculum is coherent, appropriately paced, developmentally appropriate, and aligned with Lower School priorities.
• Review curriculum and instructional materials with attention to representation, accessibility, developmental appropriateness, and alignment with the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Help identify curriculum needs, gaps, redundancies, and opportunities for stronger alignment across grade levels.
• Work with the 3–5 Academic Dean to support vertical alignment across Kindergarten through Grade 5.
• Support the implementation of school wide academic priorities and instructional initiatives.
• Order major curriculum materials and instructional resources for K–2 teams in collaboration with the Lower School Director.

• Collaborate with the Dean of Teaching and Learning, who leads the student support process, to identify students who may need additional academic intervention, extension, or enrichment.
• Provide direct academic support to students, inside or outside of the classroom, through targeted intervention, observation, modeling, or short-term skill support.
• Partner with teachers, Dean of Teaching and Learning, and families to develop appropriate academic supports.
• Monitor student progress and help determine next steps for intervention, extension, or additional support.
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