Dean of Academics (Helena-West Helena/Blytheville) - KIPP Delta Public Schools

KIPP Delta is part of the nationwide KIPP non-profit network of 275 college-preparatory, public charter schools educating early childhood, elementary, middle, and high school students. KIPP Delta currently serves more than 1,200 students across 5 schools in Helena and Blytheville, AR.

The Dean of Academics is primarily responsible for the ongoing development,
implementation, and assessment of the curriculum and learning at KIPP Delta
Public Schools. The Dean is responsible for assisting the School Director/Principal
in providing the instructional and administrative leadership necessary for
addressing student achievement, ensuring rigorous instruction, and driving the
overall academic effectiveness for all schools. The Dean will be responsible for
creating an environment that delivers quality instruction, develops teachers, and
enables students to make significant growth each academic year. The Dean will
also observe teachers, provide instructional coaching, and manage teacher
performance evaluations with the Campus President.

The Dean of Academics oversees all facets of the school’s operation that directly
impact student learning. This includes the monitoring of classroom instruction,
management of all internal and external assessment data, and management of
the school’s daily schedule and structure. The Academic Dean is responsible for
direct oversight of instructional staff. The Academic Dean reports directly to the
School Director/Principal and works closely with the executive academic team and
designee(s) to achieve ambitious academic outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities 

Responsibilities for the Dean position will include, but are not limited to the following: 
 Research, design, and/or supplement the academic curriculum for all
subjects and grades in all schools based on successful models and
approaches; in alignment with the school’s charter, School Improvement
Plan, and any associated academic growth or school-wide improvement
plans.
 Plan and execute professional development opportunities for teachers
including workshops on interpreting data, curriculum mapping, vertical
alignment, and other external professional development opportunities.
 Direct the school's standards-based assessment strategies and systems to
support a data-driven culture where assessments are used to increase
learning and support all students.

 Oversee the development and implementation of a rigorous, college
preparatory curriculum including an academic approached aligned to state
standards and assessment processes.
 Monitor grade-level progress against scope and sequence benchmarks.
 Assess the efficacy of curriculum and interventions, vet innovative
programs/resources, oversee implementation of curriculum and
interventions, and make recommendations as needed (including special
education)
 Develop and execute a framework for the strategic use of data; support the
team in using student and staff performance data to drive improved
teaching and learning.
 Support teachers in designing effective and rigorous lesson plans with
specific, measurable, and standards-based objectives.
 Observe classes regularly and create a system for timely and relevant
feedback.
 Facilitate collaboration and sharing among teachers including peer
observations, coaching and mentorship, and joint planning sessions.
 Manage the SPED Faculty Lead and oversee all IEP, SST, and 504 meetings as
necessary.
 Work with intervention specialists to provide constructive feedback on
teachers’ planning and assessment materials to ensure that our students’
diverse learning needs are being met.
 In conjunction with the administrative team, coordinate summer staff
orientation and curriculum development; ensure access to and participation
in high-quality internal and external professional development for staff;
throughout the school year.
 Participate in staff recruitment; staff orientation, student/family recruitment,
and student/family orientation.
 Collaborate with the School Director/ Principal, the Special Education Lead,
the Guidance Counselor, and other school staff and community partners to
maximize the schools’ ability to support students’ academic and socio-
emotional development
 Performs other related duties as required and assigned.

Essential Priorities and Development Opportunities: 
Internal Summative and Formative Assessment Systems

 Through collaboration with teachers, oversee the design of summative
benchmark assessments to measure growth and identify performance gaps
at the unit level.
 With teachers, perform data analysis of formative and summative
assessments to identify gains and performance gaps.
 Through weekly collaboration with teachers, facilitate and evaluate
assessment-driven and student-specific methods for (re)teaching,
enrichment, and further individualization.
 Work with teachers to design and administer (re)assessments following
(re)teaching and differentiation.
 Using eSchool, Triand, and Clever, oversee the entry of internal assessment
data that is in alignment with the schools’ academic systems. Ensure that
students’ mastery grades represent a valid and reliable measure of student
performance.

Benchmark Assessment 
 Train staff and oversee the administration of benchmark assessments
including the NWEA MAP Assessment, I-Ready, Atlas, and other externally
created benchmark assessments.
 With teachers, perform data analysis of benchmark assessment data to
identify gains and performance gaps.
 Develop effective systems and structures to communicate student
performance data to all stakeholders, including students and families.

Statewide Assessment
 Serve as the school’s testing coordinator, overseeing the successful
administration of all state assessments. Train staff and ensure that each test
administration follows all district and state guidelines.
 Analyze external assessment items and samples to inform classroom
instruction and the creation of interim assessments.
 Annually, develop a systematic plan to prepare students for the state
assessment, including the development of a school-wide tracking system
and investment plan.
 Develop internally created practice assessments that are in alignment with
state assessments and can be used to measure students’ proficiency on the
state assessment.
 In collaboration with teachers, perform item and trend analysis on all
practice assessments to identify gains and performance gaps.

 Through collaboration with teachers, facilitate and evaluate assessment-
driven and student-specific methods for (re)teaching, enrichment, and
further individualization.

Teacher Coaching and Support
 Conduct weekly observations of teachers’ instruction and provide
substantive, data-driven feedback that leads to sustained teacher growth
and improvement over time.
 Provide weekly planning feedback to teachers surrounding lesson plans and
daily instruction.
 Using observation tools and data, perform trend analysis and classroom-
level performance targets to improve teaching effectiveness.

Professional Development
 Collaborate with the School Director/Principal and the administrative team
to design, implement, and evaluate school-wide teacher professional
development consistent with the school’s mission and model, and students’
needs.
 Design and conduct summer Teacher Orientation sessions.
 Design and conduct ongoing and sustained professional development
during the school year.
 Coordinate and support individualized teacher professional development
and assist teachers in the development and assessment of professional
development plans.
 Conduct formal evaluations of teacher’s performance to track teacher
growth over time and assist teachers in the development of individualized
and sustained professional growth.
Teacher Leadership
 Collaborate with the administrative team to design, implement, and
evaluate differentiated roles for teachers through which leadership and new
competencies can be developed.
 Support teacher leadership through coaching and facilitation relative to
teachers’ individual leadership goals.

Student and Staff Culture
 Cultivate and sustain a culture of achievement and excellence among all
faculty, staff, and students.
 Develop and implement an investment plan for teachers and staff to sustain
a positive and healthy school culture and climate.
 In collaboration with the School Director/ Principal, consistently evaluate
staff and student culture, and plan targeted interventions to address gaps
and areas of concern.
 

Supporting Parent Involvement
 Identify, design, and support methods of involving parents in their student’s
education in meaningful ways.
 Support teachers and all school staff in developing and sustaining strong
relationships with parents and families.
 In collaboration with the School Director/ Principal, and School Counselor,
coordinate parent and community outreach efforts.
 Articulate and model the school’s values to scholars, families, staff, and the
community.

Daily Schedule and Structure of Instruction 
 Maintain and adjust a daily schedule that prioritizes instructional time.
 In collaboration with the administrative team, adjust and revise school
structures and systems to respond to observational data and student
performance measures.
 Design and implement Community Meetings that target specific academic
areas of growth, to include differentiating structures by grade level.
 

Reports and Academic Team
 Supervises and Manages the Guidance Department
 Supervises and Manages the SPED Department

 Master’s degree in education.
 Minimum of 3 years of academic leadership experience.
 Leadership license recommended/ not required.

Salary

• Our compensation is very competitive and is commensurate with experience 

• Free individual level health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision***

• Free individual short-term and long-term disability insurance ***

• 403(b) retirement program with a company match ***

• To support teacher practice and their growth, all lead teachers receive individualized coaching and professional development

As an equal opportunity employer, KIPP Delta does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or any other basis made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations.