2018 SUMMER DEAN OF STUDENTS - JOB OPPORTUNITY
Title: Dean of Students
Reports to:Executive Director of Breakthrough Manchester
Organization Profile:
Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School has a dual mission: 1) to help promising middle school students - particularly those with limited opportunities - build skills and confidence to enter and succeed in college preparatory high school programs by providing summer-intensive, tuition-free academic program with year-round support and 2) to inspire talented college students to pursue careers in education and leadership. Breakthrough Manchester is an affiliate of Breakthrough Collaborative, a national network of programs that touch the lives of thousands of youth through the "students teaching students" model. The 6-week summer session for Manchester students is hosted on the campus of The Derryfield School. For more information, visit breakthroughmanchester.org.
Position Summary:
The Dean of Students is responsible for supporting students and undergraduate Teaching Fellows in maintaining a safe and productive community. The Dean of Students trains Teaching Fellows to design and implement proactive and positive behavior management strategies and establish clear and effective routines and procedures in their classrooms. The Dean of Students meets with students as needed to address social, behavioral or disciplinary concerns and collaboratively establish an action plan for improvement. The Dean of Students also contacts Breakthrough families, building and fostering relationships by keeping parents in the loop around their child’s overall performance at Breakthrough.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
●Facilitate training sessions during orientation week for Teaching Fellows on the student discipline policy, proactive techniques to promote positive behaviors, and the role of the Dean of Students.
●Support Teaching Fellows as student-related issues and concerns arise – behavioral and otherwise.
●Informally observe student and Teaching Fellow interactions in classrooms and general Breakthrough environment
●Call home whenever a student is unexpectedly absent from program.
●Participate in the organization and execution of Back to School Night and Parent Conferences, with staff and the Operations Coordinator
●Meet with Teaching Fellows during academic department meetings on Fridays to discuss classroom management and student issues as needed.
●Confer with teaching fellows, administrators, instructional coaches and other professionals as needed to problem-solve and develop individual student action plans.
●Monitor student attendance and homework records in student database, making recommendations for student commendations or correction as needed.
●Serve as the main Breakthrough family contact, reaching out to families when students are excelling or falling short on attendance, homework or behavioral commitments, particularly when observed in multiple classes or settings.
●Review and monitor advisor praise/prompts to students for completeness, tone, and specificity.
●Design and facilitate at least one professional development workshop for teaching fellows mid-summer.
●Assist the Community Committee and staff with planning programming around activities related to diversity and inclusion.
●Interact both formally and informally with students throughout the course of the summer.
●Support a successful and productive learning community that values high-expectations, perseverance, leadership, and collaboration.
Skills and Knowledge:
●Strong understanding of issues affecting educational equity and access to higher education as well as an appreciation of stages of adolescence from 10 to 23 years of age.
●Positive, high-energy, can-do spirit; resilience and perseverance
●Poised communicator and motivator; able to address the needs of multiple stakeholders.
●Excellent organization and leadership skills.
●Collected and constructive thinker in the face of unexpected challenges.
●Ability to work independently and as part of a team with exceptional initiative and judgment.
●Strategic and respectful "bridge builder" able to foster partnerships with people of diverse socio-economic, cultural, and political backgrounds
●Cultural humility
●Proficiency with various computer and web-based systems including Google applications and databases
Education:
●Preferred candidates will be certified school counselors. Exemplary candidates with a bachelor’s degree and experience in child development, psychology, education, guidance, counseling, social work, or similar field will also be considered.
Experience:
●Prior experience with a Breakthrough program or similar intensive academic/youth organization preferred. At least two years of experience working with middle school youth preferred.
Physical and Psychological Demands:
●Must be able to consistently function well in a fast-paced environment.
●Must have a strong commitment to and ability to execute superior communication.
●Must be able to accept critical feedback and direction in a professional manner.
●Must be a team player and consistently exhibit the following qualities:
- Trustworthiness and the ability to fully trust other team members and superiors.
- Ability to communicate timely and in a professional manner to address conflicts.
- Strong evidence of commitment and loyalty to the program.
- Strong evidence of ownership and accountability for work and mistakes.
- Consistent and superior attention to details and results.
Time Commitment & Compensation:
Days run approximately 8:00-3:00, Tuesday through Friday from June 13th - August 9th. Limited flexibility in start date may be negotiated. The base stipend for this position is $4,000, commensurate with experience.
To Apply:
Email resumé and cover letter by January 12th, 2018. No phone calls please.