Dean of Special Education - Middle School

Middle School Dean of Special Education

ABOUT KIPP DC

By 2025 KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful innovative and inclusive school system that provides joyful identityaffirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes. We are a network of 20 schools educating 7300 students and employing 1300 teachers leaders and staff members dedicated to our mission.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence equity and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous relevant and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We pride ourselves on providing unparalleled professional development and leadership opportunities. We acknowledge the demands of the teaching profession and continually seek to improve sustainability benefits and support for teachers. We are seeking teachers who are passionate about educational equity driven by student and family relationships and constantly seeking to grow.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Middle School Dean of Special Education is to support the program/school in driving academic outcomes care and a sense of belonging for our students as a key member of the schools leadership team. We expect our Middle School Dean of Special Education to lead both instruction and school culture as the leader of subsets of teachers and students in the Special Education department.

Middle School Dean of Special Education will actively grow through participation in summer and school year highquality meaningful formal and informal professional development invaluable on the job training transformative coaching and cohort based learning experiences with leaders across KIPP DC.

Middle School Deans of Special Education are an exempt role and report to the Principal of the school and serve on the school leadership team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Set vision and goals
   • Supports development of Special Education programwide vision and takes an active role in investing and mobilizing teachers/support staff to achieve the collective goals of the school; owns the implementation of select program/school priorities in support of the schoolwide vision
   • With guidance from the School Leader leads the planning and goal setting for the Special Education department that he/she coaches and ensures alignment with schoolwide goals
   • Identifies and addresses equity challenges within the school
   • Articulates how Special Education department vision and goals connect to KIPP DCs goal of becoming an antiracist organization
2. Plan and prioritize
   • Provides input into the planning communication and of schoolbased priorities and identifies what the schools priorities mean for his/her own leadership and people that he/she manages
   • Manages the planning and of goals and plans for specific teachers and Special Education department
3. Manage and develop groups of teachers
   • Leads grade level/department level collaboration and learning
   • Effectively manages and develops teachers of a wide range of skill and experience level by defining responsibilities setting goals and providing ongoing feedback and support
4. Lead school culture
   • Supports teachers in leading classrooms with highquality Tier 1 student learning and engagement
   • Plan for and predictably respond to student behavior that doesnt meet school culture expectations. Coach support and follow up with teachers in service of empowering them to do the same
   • Manages parts of the daily program/school operations (e.g. arrival/dismissal lunch/recess)
   • Acts as the first Leadership Team contact on Special Education student intervention and family communication; determines appropriate next steps and follow ups
   • Develops teachers in understanding process and roles in student support and intervention and develops systems and structures to execute on those roles
   • Supports teachers in building an inclusive environment for all students
   • Build intentional meaningful relationships with students their families and communities in the hopes of having school community where people truly feel as though they belong
   • Participate in key leadership responsibilities such as recess and lunch duty monitoring transitions and any other support necessary to run a positive and smooth functioning school
5. Hire and retain highlyeffective staff
   • Consistently communicates to teachers/support staff through words and actions that they are valued supported and cared for
   • Implement retention strategies to ensure highlyeffective teachers stay teaching and support staff stay
6. Build own and teams content knowledge

• Develops deep mastery over best practices in Special Education and those departments for which he/she/they coach
• Engages in selfdriven ongoing learning regarding curriculum pedagogy coaching and school leadership
• Collaborates with School Vice Principals to support teachers in instructing/best practices in Special Education and connects teachers with relevant resources to improve their content knowledge pedagogy and instruction
• Leads Special Education department meetings and/or professional development for groups of teachers
• Collaborates with Campus Director to support case management and special education classrooms
• Leads Professional development for Special Education teachers/case managers with Campus Director/Compliance Manager and services for all special education students

1. Develop and coach teachers

• Leads datadriven instruction by analyzing specific department level data and developing and executing plans to address gaps and by helping teachers do the same thing for their classes
• Provides highquality coaching by keenly observing classrooms and connecting with teachers accurately diagnosing classroom instruction and providing frequent feedback for teachers across skill level; intensively coach new and struggling teachers with a range of coaching techniques
• Work with key stakeholders to followin progress monitoring for special populations
• Supports response to classroom behaviors and individualized behavior plans as they are aligned to supporting teachers through coaching
• Respond and address discipline issues with the support of the school leadership team
• Manages parent contact and relationships as it aligns with classroom coaching

COMPETENCIES

• Student Focus: builds strong relationships and holds high expectations for students holds students best interests in mind keeps owns commitments to students and makes sure others do the same and builds a culture of respect for all students
• Achievement Orientation: sets challenging goals for self and others takes initiative to go above and beyond to to achieve results follows through on commitments demonstrates resilience and flexibility
• Continuous Learning: Takes responsibility for behavior mistakes and results takes calculated risks uses research to inform practice continually seeks opportunity for improvement values creativity and innovation shares effective practices with others
• Critical Thinking and ProblemSolving: Gathers information from multiple sources sorts out complexity anticipates problems breaks down information and effectively analyzes

• SelfAwareness: demonstrates understanding of own identity privilege and power understands strengths and weaknesses and the impact on others perceptions seeks feedback and selfdevelopment
• Cultural Competence: demonstrates knowledge and respect for cultures of community served creates an inclusive environment adjusts behavior according to cultural norms and cues works effectively across difference creates and sustains an environment in which people from diverse backgrounds can succeed
• Impact and Influence: adapts leadership style to influence others anticipate reactions of others and makes a compelling case for a position stimulates others to take action and accomplish goals
• Individual Reflection: Reflect on own identity; maintain strong selfcare practices; demonstrate a growth mindset
• Stakeholder Management: expertise in cultivating trusting relationships; developes mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships gains trust of key stakeholders consistently demonstrates respect and appreciation for others

QUALIFICATIONS

KIPP DC is looking for Middle School Dean of Special Education candidates who are committed to KIPP DCs mission that all students can learn and achieve at high levels have a strong instructional background a commitment to creating identityaffirming learning experiences and are looking to develop the leadership skills necessary to lead great schools. Specifically candidates should have:

• Bachelors degree
• Minimum of four years of Special Education teaching experience
• Demonstrated academic results
• Demonstrated leadership experience
• Demonstrated record of timeliness good attendance reliability and responsiveness
• Demonstrated experience with supporting learning of special needs populations staff development and pedagogy
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DCs mission and to advancing its antiracist ambition through their work with staff students alumni and families

Additional information

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• When it comes to compensation at KIPP DC we strive for clarity equity and to be highly competitive. We look at compensation benchmarks in schools across DC. Salaries for this role are exempt and start at $86238 and increase with years of experience. Please see the salary scale here (Dean and Instructional Coach scale). This role can earn up to $5000 in renewal addons to their base salary each year they return to KIPP DC.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical dental and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability long term disability life insurance and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3 employer contribution and a 3 match with vesting after three years.
• Currently individuals in this role have up to 10 paid sick days 12 paid holidays paid Thanksgiving week break winter break spring break and part of summer summer break. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against or tolerate discrimination against employees or applicants for employment on any legallyrecognized basis or protected class including but not limited to actual or perceived race color national origin immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal DC state or local law) religion sex (including pregnancy childbirth lactation and related medical conditions) age physical or mental disability medical condition sexual orientation gender (including gender identity or expression) marital status (including domestic partnership status) genetic information political affiliation pregnancy family responsibilities personal appearance veteran status uniform service member status status of being unemployed status of victim a survivor of domestic violence sexual offense or stalking matriculation or any other protected class under federal state DC or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DCs nondiscrimination policy and KIPP DCs Title IX Coordinators contact information.

KIPP DC requires all staff to provide proof that they are up to date on their COVID19 vaccine (meaning they have received a full course of a COVID vaccine and receive a booster when they are eligible) or obtain approval for exemption due to medical or religious reasons before beginning employment. New hires who have not received all doses of a COVID vaccine who are eligible for a booster but have not received it or who are awaiting approval for exemption will not be able to begin employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against or tolerate discrimination against employees or applicants for employment on any legallyrecognized basis or protected class including but not limited to actual or perceived race color national origin immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal DC state or local law) religion sex (including pregnancy childbirth lactation and related medical conditions) age physical or mental disability medical condition sexual orientation gender (including gender identity or expression) marital status (including domestic partnership status) genetic information political affiliation pregnancy family responsibilities personal appearance veteran status uniform service member status status of being unemployed status of victim a survivor of domestic violence sexual offense or stalking matriculation or any other protected class under federal state DC or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DCs nondiscrimination policy and KIPP DCs Title IX Coordinators contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at . Please include your name resume and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.