Associate Dean of Students

About the role

Great Oaks Kathleen Sherry Charter School– New York City (GO-NYC) prepares students to shape the world, not be defined by it. The school believes children learn best through a combination of direct instruction and project‑based, authentic experiences to support skill development and accelerate learning. Its program is organized around the design principles of Mastery, Leadership, and Community. GO‑NYC provides rigorous, project‑based learning, advanced coursework, and supplemental tutorial support that centers equity, culturally responsive teaching, and strong relationships. The school seeks talented, tenacious, asset‑minded people who share the belief that all students deserve a high‑quality education.

The Associate Dean of Students works collaboratively and enthusiastically with the Leadership Team (specifically with the Dean of Students) under the guidance of the Senior Principal to shape and sustain a school culture of discipline and warmth while ensuring that students internalize the school’s values and goals for academic excellence. The Associate Dean of Students works directly with students and parents to uphold a strong positive culture. This position is for the current school year and the successful candidate will start immediately.

Responsibilities

• Building a transformative school culture consistent with Great Oaks core values and mission
• Ensuring that staff are skilled in restorative practice and sensitive handling of students’ social‑emotional issues
• Designing and implementing programs that recognize and celebrate positive behaviors and mindsets
• Devising rituals that promote culture, sustain school values and create a school‑wide identity among students
• Cultivating students’ cultural competency, growth and development through school programs and events
• Building a support network for students by meeting with, listening to and seeking to understand the needs of students as individuals and the student body as a whole
• Implementing behavior management tools including overseeing staff training in behavior management policies, techniques, and strategies and ensuring consistent deployment of such tools school‑wide
• Meeting with students referred by teachers and communicating and meeting with students’ parents/guardians in a constructive manner
• Ensuring that consequences for infractions are fairly and consistently implemented throughout the school community
• Reviewing school data weekly to ensure discipline data reflects fair and equitable discipline amongst all students; following up with appropriate next steps when a concern is identified
• Implementing and ensuring the school‑wide use of information technology tools for reporting and documenting student culture information
• Ensuring documentation of communications with parents regarding student attendance, academic progress, and discipline

Qualifications

• Experience in an urban school setting
• Proven track record of upholding a positive school culture that promotes academic excellence
• Skilled at using a consultative and analytic approach to solve problems and to derive the best outcome for students
• Strong academic record with a Bachelor’s degree from a competitive college or university required; advanced degree preferred
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written; ability to provide constructive feedback to staff members
• Superb organizational and self‑management skills and an ability to handle multiple responsibilities effectively and thoughtfully
• Self confidence, flexibility and the ability to respond well to feedback and implement it immediately
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment where the ability to multitask and prioritize work is essential
• Passion for academic learning and an insistence on academic excellence
• A do‑whatever‑it‑takes attitude doing whatever is necessary to help all students achieve academic success, including a willingness to work occasionally on the weekend or in the evening
• Strong belief that all students can succeed

Pay

Great Oaks offers a competitive salary range of $75,000–$95,000, commensurate with experience and education.

Benefits

Benefits include 403(b), medical, dental, and vision coverage. The school offers a mission‑driven, equity‑focused, and community‑centered environment and a unique opportunity to lead a growing charter school into the future with a bold instructional and cultural vision.