ABOUT THE POSITION

The Dean of School Culture fosters a positive, safe, and equitable learning environment by leading behavior management, restorative practices, and student support systems. They build strong relationships with students, staff, and families, using data to improve school climate, enforce behavioral expectations and manage daily operations such as arrivals, dismissals, and assemblies.

This 12-month position reports to the Elementary School Principal and collaborates with school and network-based leadership team members.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Cultural Leadership

• Cultivate a positive, inclusive, and disciplined school culture that aligns with Meridian's mission and values.
• Develop and manage all positive incentives and recognitions (grade-specific, school-wide), including honor roll, student of the month, and awards ceremonies.
• Foster student leadership, efficacy, and stewardship.

Behavior, Discipline, and Management

• Develop, implement, and monitor school-wide behavioral systems, such as positive behavior interventions and supports or restorative justice initiatives.
• Develop, manage, maintain, and track individual student support plans and trackers to support students in meeting individual goals related to student culture, including rewards, attendance, truancy, and similar areas.
• Consistently communicate with families on academic and behavior-related issues and document these communications.

Student Support and Mentorship

• Provide direct intervention for students needing behavior redirection, often mediating conflicts and facilitating restorative conversations.

Data Analysis

• Track and analyze behavioral data (e.g. discipline referrals, attendance, and school culture surveys) to identify trends and inform improvements

Relationship Building

• Serve as a primary point of contact for families regarding school culture, attendance, and behavioral concerns.
• Respond to inquiries from a variety of sources (e.g. other teachers, parents, administrators, students, etc.) for the purpose of resolving issues, providing information and/or direction.
• Advise parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of communicating expectations; student's achievements; developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Collaborate with instructional staff, other school personnel, parents and school partners for the purpose of improving the overall quality of student outcomes and meeting student needs.

Staff Coaching

• Provide coaching and professional development to staff on classroom management, student engagement, and restorative practices.

Operational Visibility

• Maintain high visibility during school hours (e.g. transitions, lunch, and arrivals/dismissals) to promote safety and order.
• Manage student supervision, including devising supervision plans and monitoring the supervision plan. Provide student supervision for student check-in, breakfast, lunch, dismissal and school-wide events.
• Develop school safety protocols for daily, weekly, and monthly routines and events.
• Support the school-wide emergency preparedness team meetings and implementation efforts.
• Actively monitor students in a variety of educational environments (e.g. classroom, cafeteria, playground, school grounds, hallways, restrooms, field trips, etc.) for the purpose of providing a safe and positive learning environment

Perform all other duties as assigned by the Principal or his/her/their designee.

QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates will have the following education and experience:

• A bachelor's or advanced degree in education, administration, social work, or a related field
• At least 5 years of teaching experience and/or education leadership
• Commitment to the Meridian mission and core values
• Experience designing and building systems and managing through the change management process, including addressing setbacks and maintaining focus in the face of competing priorities
• Demonstrated strength in balancing strategy with application and big picture thinking with minute details
• Experience working independently toward goals, communicating effectively with colleagues, and engaging in 360-degree feedback processes
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced work environment
• Meticulous detail orientation, organization, and time management
• Track record for developing positive, empathetic, and productive relationships with colleagues and customers punctuated by grace, competence, and warmth
• Proficiency with Google Drive and Microsoft Office Suite
• Knowledge of the DC Charter Schools landscape
• Ability to read graphs, charts, and dashboards that report operational data
• Experience with restorative practices, No Non-sense Nurturer, and Powerschool

Other Preferred Qualifications

• Must be flexible, given the ongoing needs of the organization as it relates to scheduling and collaboration with various stakeholders
• Oral and /or written proficiency in Spanish preferred

Core Competencies

• Collaboration and Influence: Builds strong relationships across levels; effectively communicates and influences outcomes.
• Equity Lens in Education: Demonstrates cultural competence and a commitment to equity-centered practices.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks feedback, identifies opportunities for innovation, and adapts practices based on evolving needs.

Salary & Benefits

A recent TNTP Insight Survey of our teachers placed our staff's satisfaction with compensation in the top quartile of all charter schools in DC. We also lead the charter sector in compensation transparency, and publish our salary scales for teachers, apprentice teachers, and dedicated aides here. More information is on our website.

Meridian teachers and staff are compensated competitively for their time and have opportunities to earn additional income through leadership opportunities at the school level, offering extracurricular clubs and sports for students, and facilitating tutoring programs.

This is a 12-month salaried position with a range from $100,000 - $110,000.

How to Apply
Do you embody a love of learning? Do you believe in the importance of educating the whole child? Do you want to help Meridian continue to grow from good to great? Apply today!

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.