Middle School Dean of Student Life

King School is a PreK-12 independent, college preparatory day school located in Stamford that serves the diverse families of Fairfield and Westchester counties. King School seeks more than achievement for our students. We open minds and spark courageous thinking. Our students discover and forge their unique paths to excellence.

Diversity is foundational to academic and professional excellence, and therefore is a core value  think, learn, and work more deeply due to the many facets of diversity in our community, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, age, ability, and learning style. We leverage cultural differences and intellectual diversity to create an inclusive and vibrant learning community, endeavoring for each person to feel seen, heard, valued, and respected.

Summary: The Middle School Dean of Student Life reports directly to the Head of Middle School and is responsible for contributing to and communicating a clear vision and focused plan that sustains and strengthens student wellness, positive behavior, and a healthy divisional culture. Central to this role is overseeing student discipline through a restorative practices approach that emphasizes accountability, reflection, relationship repair, and growth.

In addition, the Dean builds strong partnerships with families, fosters a safe, inclusive, and supportive school climate, and effectively manages scheduling and operational needs in service of a healthy, respectful, and thriving middle school community.

Job Title
:
Middle School Dean of Student Life

Division
:
Middle School

Reports to
:
Head of Middle School

• Supervise the execution of the advisory program in collaboration with Team Leaders, Counselors, and Director of Teaching and Learning. This supervision includes the oversight of the Student-Led Conference process.
• In collaboration with the Head of Middle School, clearly articulate and uphold the division’s vision and mission for student support, while fostering a positive school climate and ensuring staff accountability.
• Partner, collaborate, and coordinate with the program leaders and appropriate faculty in all areas of student life, including Student Council, school and service learning trips, and cross-divisional student programming.
• Lead supervision, organization, and execution of the club's program.
• Coordinate course sectioning and staffing with the MS Division Head, Department Chairs, US Academic Dean, and Head of Lower School.
• With the Head of Middle School, oversee a consistent implementation of the division’s classroom management policies, serving as a resource to staff in dealing with behavioral issues.
• Advocate for children and actively embrace community involvement.
• Partner with necessary program leaders and faculty to assist in developing programs devoted to character education and restorative practices, while establishing appropriate intervention strategies.
• Teach a section of a MS class in a core academic area as needed.
• Oversee the Student Led Conference Process

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field required.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience teaching in a middle school.
• Departmental, curricular or grade level leadership experience.
• Experience developing advisory or SEL programs.
• Knowledge of academic and social developmental benchmarks for young adolescents.
• Strong communication skills and ability to constructively collaborate with students and colleagues.
• Possess a sound understanding of the intellectual and social-emotional developmental stages of adolescents.
• Deep understanding of classroom management strategies, behavioral expectations and restorative practices.
• Ability and capacity to nurture student voice, autonomy of thought, and student leadership.
• Ability to be organized and manage a series of student information platforms and systems, including:
  Google Classroom, Gmail, Blackbaud.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural competence--ability to effectively teach, learn, and engage in a multicultural environment with a diverse student body--in pedagogical practice and multicultural…