Detroit Country Day School is a private, independent, co-educational, non-denominational, preschool through grade 12, college preparatory school focused on a well-rounded liberal arts education. Emphasis on academics, arts, athletics, and character development is prevalent across the curriculum. DCDS believes diversity, equity, and inclusion are educational imperatives for the intellectual, social, and moral growth of every child. We honor the dignity of every human being and value differences that exist and are expressed throughout our vibrant school.
Position Summary
The Dean of Academics & Student Life is the primary advocate for students in the 4th/5th Grade Program and is responsible for all academic and non-academic, student-related matters. This position will work collaboratively and in full partnership with the School Director to nurture a student experience that meets the needs and opportunities of our students. The Dean will focus on the student life experience, monitor the students’ overall behavior and well-being, and be thought partners with the Middle School Director regarding school culture. The Dean position develops and implements student-life education, programs, and policies and monitors students’ progress outside the classroom.
In addition, the Dean of Academics & Student Life will serve as the leader in curriculum and pedagogy in Mathematics, English, and Social Studies for the 4th/5th Grade Program. The Dean of Academics and Student Life reports to the Director of the Middle School.
Student Life: Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Demonstrate visible, active leadership in the daily life of the school, including during the daily routines of arrival, dismissal, and lunch as well as at major divisional and school functions and events such as those that occur beyond the school day.
Build and foster meaningful relationships and connections with students and their parents, and provide students with encouragement and support
Work collaboratively as a part of the Middle School administration team to support students, parents, and faculty.
Coordinate with the student support team to address student needs and offer leadership when considering the intersection of academic, behavioral, social, and emotional supports.
Support and communicate the community expectations including the code of conduct, honor code, and other major school rules.
Assist the Middle School Director with major discipline cases.
Oversee and adjudicate minor discipline, based on a student-focused, restorative discipline model that reinforces accountability, school culture, and community values.
Collaborate with the School Director and other faculty in facilitating assemblies and clubs/PM programming.
Manage daily student attendance.
Conduct student meetings with the grade-level team on a regular basis (i.e., every two weeks).
Facilitate placement process for advisory groups.
Partner with Admissions in onboarding new students and participate in Admission Open House events.
Provide oversight for grade-level field trips and events.
Attend department and division meetings.
Act as backup for other Deans as needed.
Participate on the Crisis Management Team with the Director of Security and Safety and other members of the School’s Executive Leadership Management Team.
Provide oversight for grade level programming and events (education, social, and community building).
Assist with the planning and oversight of new student orientation and opening of school activities with the Middle School Director.
May provide coverage for faculty absences as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the School Director.
Academic: Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Openly participate in dialogue with members of the 4/5 team, other department chairs, and administrators to ensure that goals and objectives are clearly stated and aligned with the mission of the school.
Guide conversations about teaching and learning to ensure that good practices are being followed.
Annually review Math, ELA, and Social Studies curriculum in the department to ensure vertical continuity and appropriateness of content, skills, and assessment; including evaluating textbooks.
Encourage and challenge faculty to initiate curricular improvement by providing resources and fostering faculty collaboration on curriculum development.
Encourage use of a variety of teaching techniques suitable to the subject and age group as well as incorporating a variety of tools to reach students with a wide range of learning styles.
Engage with parents on student placement and to address teacher or curriculum issues.
Support & mentor new faculty by ensuring that they have the resources and information they need to carry out their responsibilities with confidence.
Lead faculty members in upholding high standards of professional behavior and respond immediately when behavior occurs that does not align with school expectations.
Evaluate and work to improve teaching through classroom visits, discussions with teachers, and other methods that are fair and consistent within school policies, procedures, and practices.
Facilitate conversations focused on curricular, teaching issues, or needs of students.
Coordinate substitute coverage for faculty absences for the 4/5 Program.
Manage department budget ensuring resources are provided to faculty members on an equitable basis.
Participate in formal and informal training and professional development to strengthen and improve leadership skills.
Perform other duties as assigned by the School Director.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in Education or a related field is required. Masters degree, preferred.
The preferred candidate will be an experienced elementary school educator with a deep understanding of academics, student life programs, policies, and operations.
A forward-thinking, inspiring, and calm leader with the capacity to work collaboratively to accomplish shared goals.
High levels of emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate the complexities and ambiguities within the position.
Fosters a positive, caring environment consistent with the mission, beliefs and core values of the school
Demonstrate alignment with the school’s mission, purpose, values, culture, and strategic priorities
Excellent planning and time management skills
Maintain high professional standards for integrity, tactfulness, discretion, fairness, and confidentiality
Growth-minded and actively seek avenues for personal and professional development
Excellent oral and written communication skills, and experience conducting small to large meetings
Team player with the ability to seek input from multiple sources to inform decision making
High level of energy and enthusiasm
Exhibits character and integrity consistent with professional expectations and standards of behavior of the School
Passionate about, comfortable with, and finds enjoyment in working with late elementary students
Able to balance the many demands of the position and demonstrates an ability to lead by positive example
Makes sound decisions and implements them in a timely manner, and tends to problems promptly
Visible, approachable, and diligent, and possess a strong, proactive work ethic
Able to communicate clearly and timely, and in a confidential manner with students, parents, and colleagues
Applying for the Position
Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume, and references, and supporting materials online at https://www.dcds.edu/about/careers
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About Detroit Country Day School
Founded in 1914, Detroit Country Day School is a top-tier, nationally ranked co-educational independent school for students in grades PreK3-12. The School offers an exemplary education rooted in academic rigor and a commitment to the full development of each student’s potential. The School develops citizens and leaders of the world in a culturally diverse environment of academic rigor, competitive athletics, and artistic expression, built on a foundation of service and character. In 2020, the student community of 1460 includes 300 students in the Lower School in grades PreK3-grade 3; 500 students in the Middle School in grades 4-8 and 660 students in the Upper School in grades 9-12. The School has an extremely diverse student population, of which approximately 40% identify as students of color. In all three divisions, Detroit Country Day School is known for its strong academics and the opportunities available to students in outstanding offerings in athletics, dance, instrumental and vocal music, drama, and the visual arts. Students achieve regional, state, and national recognition for their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and athletics, as well as their participation in ...community service. The School has approximately 270 employees. Sixty-nine percent of faculty members have earned advanced degrees. Detroit Country Day School’s facilities are situated in two locations approximately three miles apart and less than one half hour from the center of Detroit. The Upper School (9-12) and Middle School (4-8) share adjoining campuses in Beverly Hills, where the administrative offices, facility services, safety and security services, and the main arts and athletics facilities are located. The Lower School (PreK-3) is located nearby in neighboring Bloomfield Hills. Both Beverly Hills and Bloomfield Hills are in Oakland County, which has the highest per capita income of any county in the state of Michigan and is one of the most affluent counties in the United States. The Detroit Country Day Upper School offers a strong and varied program that provides numerous opportunities for students to demonstrate their individual strengths and develop their potential. The rigorous college-preparatory program, which includes Honors and Advanced Placement courses in each discipline in addition to a diverse selection of electives, prepares students for college and beyond. In addition to a series of honors and Advanced Placement courses, students at Detroit Country Day Upper School may pursue an International Baccalaureate Diploma.
