Dean of Student Support

Trinity High School in River Forest, Illinois, seeks a Dean of Student Support to support a vibrant community dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and the empowerment of young women. An all‑girls Catholic, Dominican school and International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Trinity ensures that each student is known, supported, and challenged to become her best self. The position begins in Summer 2026.

Now in its 108th year, Trinity draws students from more than 50 Chicagoland zip codes and reflects a purposefully diverse community committed to global citizenship and compassionate leadership. As a long‑standing IB school, Trinity blends rigorous inquiry‑based learning with its Catholic and Dominican values to prepare young women for lives of meaning and impact.

The Dean of Student Support (DOSS) reports to the Vice President of Academics/Principal and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Team. The Dean is responsible for fostering a positive, safe, and supportive school culture that promotes social‑emotional development, academic success, behavioral accountability, student behavior management and safety. The Dean implements restorative justice and discipline with dignity practices and handles disciplinary investigations to strengthen relationships, address conflict proactively, and maintain a safe, welcoming campus, where students feel a strong sense of belonging.

The Dean works collaboratively with students, families, and the Student Care Team, including Trinity’s School Counselors, Campus Minister and others to promote accountability, healing, and skill‑building and to ensure a safe learning environment.

• Student Support & Culture:
  Lead the Student Care Team in collaboration with counselors and campus ministry to address behavioral root causes, support social‑emotional needs, and strengthen school culture. Maintain visible presence, mentor students, faculty, and staff, and implement policies that close achievement and opportunity gaps.
• Behavior & Discipline Management:
  Manage student behavior and safety with compassion, fairness, and accountability. Lead school‑wide restorative practices to resolve conflicts and restore relationships. Investigate misconduct, oversee disciplinary records, and guide behavioral interventions with dignity. Coordinate with campus safety teams to manage student entry/dismissal and supervise common areas.
• Attendance Oversight:
  Monitor daily attendance, ensure compliance with state laws, and develop plans to improve student attendance rates.
• Family and Community Relationships:
  Serve as a contact for parents, engage with community resources, and facilitate communication regarding student behavior and support.
• Behavioral and Academic Data Analysis:
  Review behavioral data (including academic performance, involvement and attendance) regularly to identify trends, evaluate the effectiveness of restorative interventions, and develop and support implementation of student support plans and individualized service plans.
• Teacher Coaching & Partnership:
  Support teachers with classroom practices and strategies that prioritize relationships and dignity. Train faculty and staff on restorative techniques to empower them to address low‑level behaviors.
• Reentry Facilitation:
  Lead reentry meetings for students returning from extended absences, ensuring they feel supported in reintegrating into the school community.

Knowledge,

Skills and Abilities

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience:
  
  Previous experience in teaching, counseling, or school leadership. Preferred:
  Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience with a demonstrated record of classroom management and success with diverse student populations.
• Leadership:
  Experience in leadership or supervisory roles, particularly in implementing restorative practices or positive behavior systems (PBIS).
• Communication:
  Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with the ability to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and firmness. Preferred:
  Fluency in Spanish.
• Mindset: A firm belief that all students are worthy of support…