2026-2027 (NY) Dean of Special Services

About the role

As a Dean of Special Services at Achievement First, you will be at the center of coaching teachers and driving decisions that benefit scholars. You will lead high-quality instructional coaching, enabling teachers to develop and deliver strong content and foster a lifelong love of learning in students. You will champion excellence for yourself, your teachers, and your students, helping create a vibrant school community where students thrive. At Achievement First, you will grow as a leader through feedback, one-on-one coaching with your principal, and ongoing professional development.

Responsibilities

• Coaching and Developing Staff to Achieve Excellent Student Outcomes
  • Analyze school-wide data to design responsive and effective student interventions.
  • Develop highly effective instructional curriculum and schedules in collaboration with the principal and Network Support office.
  • Observe lessons regularly and deliver targeted feedback to teachers.
  • Collaborate with grade/subject teams to plan units, lessons, and assessments; share feedback consistently.
  • Assist teachers in devising and monitoring high-impact support plans for students.
  • Model outstanding instruction for teachers.
• Facilitating Excellent Professional Development
  • Coordinate and manage creative, inspiring professional development sessions aligned with school goals.
  • Direct the interim assessment process to ensure teachers use current data to drive instruction; facilitate data debriefs.
  • Lead staff trainings at the start and end of the school year and on professional development days.
• Serving as an Active Member of the School Leadership Team
  • Analyze school-wide data to design responsive student interventions.
  • Track academic data (e.g., homework completion rates) and communicate progress to students, teachers, and parents.
  • Participate in regular leadership team meetings.
  • Work closely with the Dean of Students to support character development and positive school culture.
  • Assist teacher leaders (e.g., coaches, grade team leaders) in developing leadership skills.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred.
• Certified as a school leader per your state’s guidelines; if not currently certified, ability to obtain certification within the first two months of employment.
• At least 3 years of K-12 full-time lead teaching experience with a record of high student achievement.
• At least 1 year of experience coaching and leading adults to achieve high student achievement.

Skills and Characteristics

• Active and demonstrated commitment to Achievement First’s mission and values: Leading for Racial Equity, Embrace Challenge, and Go Further Together.
• Track record of exemplary instructional and classroom management skills, including meeting high standards for student achievement.
• Proven ability to proactively and effectively coach and manage adults to drive excellent student achievement.
• Superior personal organizational skills and ability to coach others to improve efficiency; ability to create and manage long-term systems.
• Strong people leadership with a "warm/demanding" balance when leading adults.
• Growth mindset for self and others; willingness to seek and implement feedback quickly.
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for subject matter.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.

Benefits

• Competitive salary set through an equity lens, based on skills, education, and experience (Dean salaries in NY range from $94,725 - $123,595).
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 403(b) retirement benefit package with employer match.
• Paid Family Leave.