Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience | Middle School | BTWA MS

Position Title: Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience Middle School

Location: Hamden / New Haven CT

Reports To: School Principal

Employment Type: Full-time Exempt

Salary Range: $65000 - $85000 commensurate with experience.

ABOUT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ACADEMY

Booker T. Washington Academies (BTWA) in New Haven CT serves K4 scholars at its Elementary campus and grades 58 at its Middle School campus. Founded in 2014 around Booker T. Washingtons credoExcellence is doing common things in uncommon waysBTWA balances a rigorous academic program with the cultivation of morals character self-discipline responsibility for ones actions lifestyle work ethic and educational uplift.

Scholars develop proficiency in reading writing critical thinking discussion and problem-solving to meet college and career goals while embracing and demonstrating the morals character self-discipline and work ethic to be leaders in life and community.

Recognized as a Connecticut School of Distinction in 2018 (Category 1) and again in 2024 (Category 2)the only New Haven public school honored that yearBTWA equips graduates to work hard harness the power of education elevate themselves and give back to their communities in a transformational way.

For more information about Booker T. Washington Academy please visit:

About the Opportunity

Booker T. Washington Academy Middle School (BTWA MS) seeks a passionate equity-minded and relationship-driven Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience to join our leadership team and help strengthen the holistic student experience at one of Connecticuts highestperforming public charter middle this pivotal role you will champion restorative inclusive and relationshipcentered approaches to student support behavior management and socialemotional learningensuring every student feels safe empowered and accountable within a culture of high expectations belonging and academic excellence.

As an Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience at BTWA MS you will collaborate closely with teachers families the broader school leadership team and community partners to sustain and elevate a school culture where students voices matter and where strong relationships drive strong outcomes. From leading daily culture systems and communitybuilding rituals to refining proactive supports and interventions you will help ensure that every student experiences consistency joy and meaningful opportunities for growth.

You will also play a key role in supporting teacher and staff developmentempowering educators to create safe focused and affirming learning environments where students take intellectual risks build character and develop the habits needed for longterm success.

This is an opportunity for a steady inspiring studentcentered leader who thrives in a collaborative environment embraces continuous learning and is deeply committed to the success of all students. The ideal candidate brings strong cultural leadership operational clarity and a passion for helping young people grow into thoughtful responsible and resilient leaders.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

As the an Associate Dean of School Culture & Community Experience at BTWA MS you will be primarily responsible for:

Student Behavior & Restorative Practices

• Implement and refine BTWAs restorative accountability systems to promote ownership growth and ethical decisionmaking.

• Lead culturally responsive equitable strategies for crisis and conflict management.

• Maintain consistent transparent communication with students and families regarding expectations interventions and supports.

• Regularly solicit and integrate student feedback to strengthen school culture and student leadership.

Social-Emotional Learning & Student Empowerment

• Oversee SEL programming that builds resilience selfmanagement leadership and personal accountability.

• Support the development of student leadership pathways peer mentoring and communitybuilding initiatives.

• Partner with counseling and student support teams to ensure coordinated holistic services for students.

Culture & Community Building

• Maintain a visible proactive presence throughout the school day to reinforce a joyful structured and inclusive culture.

• Strengthen BTWAs PBISaligned systems for recognition incentives and proactive supports.

• Lead school-wide rituals assemblies and community events that celebrate student success and reinforce shared values.

• Support attendance initiatives transitions hallway culture and arrival/dismissal systems to ensure safety and consistency.

Teacher & Staff Development & Support

• Collaborate with teachers students and families to develop individualized behavior plans aligned with BTWAs discipline and support systems.

• Lead professional development sessions that equip teachers to build strong classroom culture and implement restorative practices.

• Participate actively in instructional and culture leadership teams to address trends share best practices and support teacher growth.

• Provide realtime coaching and feedback to teachers on culture systems student engagement and relationshipbuilding.

Instructional Leadership & Support

• Partner with the leadership team to ensure that culture systems directly support a rigorous engaging academic program.

• Collaborate with instructional leaders to align culture expectations with instructional priorities ensuring classrooms are safe focused and conducive to learning.

Operational Leadership & Data-Informed Practices

• Use qualitative and quantitative data to monitor and adjust student support programs interventions and disciplinary measures.

• Ensure accurate recordkeeping and compliance with behavior intervention protocols state regulations and school policies.

• Lead regular culture data reviews to inform continuous improvement and strengthen school-wide systems.

• Coordinate logistics for culturerelated operations (e.g. lunch recess transitions arrival/dismissal).

School-wide Leadership Responsibilities & Program Support

• Strengthen and refine existing culture systems to ensure consistency clarity and alignment with BTWAs mission and values.

• Lead school-wide initiatives focused on SEL integration restorative practices and community engagement.

• Support the implementation of new culture initiatives based on school needs data trends and student voice.

• Serve as a key member of the schools leadership team contributing to strategic planning and school-wide decisionmaking.

Qualifications of the Ideal Candidate

While no candidate will possess every quality below the ideal candidate for the Founding Dean of Students will likely demonstrate many of the following abilities attributes and experiences:

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelors degree required.

• Experience:

  • At least 35 years of youth development or schoolbased experience with a strong track record of building positive culture and relationships.

  • At least 12 years of experience coaching or leading adults to improve student outcomes.

• Restorative Practices: Demonstrated ability to design implement and manage restorative and behavior intervention systems.

• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.

• Initiative: Experience organizing schoolwide initiatives that promote a positive inclusive school climate.

• Data Proficiency: Ability to use data to assess refine and strengthen student support and culture systems.

• Experience supporting diverse learners Demonstrated experience and success differentiation supports for diverse learners including multilingual learners (ELs) and students with IEPs

• Mission Alignment: Deep alignment with the mission and values of Elevate Charter Schools and BTWA including excellence character selfdiscipline responsibility and educational uplift

• Core Values Alignment: Deep belief in our community and in the potential of every single scholar to learn grow and achieve at a high level.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Education Educational Leadership Counseling Psychology or a related field preferred.

• At least 3 years of teaching experience with strong classroom culture and student outcomes.

• At least 3 years of experience as a highimpact school leader (Dean AP Culture Leader etc.).

• Valid CT teaching and/or school leadership certification or eligibility for reciprocity.

• Specialized training in restorative practices conflict intervention PBIS or SEL frameworks.

• Prior experience in a charter highperforming urban or turnaround school environment.

• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is highly preferred particularly to support meaningful partnership and accessibility with our students families and community (Spanish fluency is a strong plus).

Mindsets We Value

Our team is passionately committed to the vision and values of Elevate Charter Schools and Booker T. Washington Academy. The ideal candidate will have a positive mindset a very strong work ethic an inner drive for excellence and will thrive working in an entrepreneurial and results-driven environment

Additionally we deeply value and are actively seeking candidates who demonstrate the following mindsets and beliefs:

• Mission-Driven: In addition to deeply aligning and embodying the mission and values of ECS and BTWA you believe in the brilliance and promise of all students particularly students of color and want to be part of their success story.

• Growth-Oriented: You welcome feedback are deeply reflective on your personal practices and are constantly seeking to improve your craft.

• Entrepreneurial: You are flexible solutions-focused and energized by the opportunity to build something from the ground up.

• Collaborative: You thrive in a team-based culture and believe that collective effort drives school success.

• Commitment to Excellence: You hold yourself and others to the highest of standards and have a student-centric whatever it takes mentality to create a learning community where all students and stakeholders can grow and thrive.

Compensation and Benefits

At Elevate Charter Schools we are committed to ensuring fair and equitable compensation based on the skills and qualifications required for the role. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity and based on an individuals skills education and years of experience relevant to the role.

The salary range for this position is $65000 - $85000 commensurate with experience and qualification and reflective of the responsibilities and expertise needed to succeed in this position. Final salary may be adjusted based on experience and qualifications.

In addition to competitive compensation Elevate offers a range of comprehensive benefits packages to all regular full-time employees at a competitive value.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to perform the following physical activities with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Mobility: Ability to move around the office and school buildings attend meetings visit classrooms and participate in professional development activities.

• Vision: Clear vision to read documents view computer screens for extended periods and present information to groups.

• Hearing: Ability to hear conversations and presentations in various settings.

• Communication: Clear speech to effectively communicate with teachers staff administrators and parents.

• Occasional Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry light materials (such as books and documents) bend or reach to access files or materials and stand for extended periods during meetings or presentations.

Edmonds Cofield Preparatory Academy is committed to providing a supportive work environment and will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role

Elevate Charter Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Elevate is a nonprofit charter management organization serving public charter schools in Connecticuts urban communities. Our scholars are 99% Black and Brown and Elevate deeply values inclusion representation and diversity across our staff.

Elevate Charter Schools is committed to fostering a diverse inclusive and equitable environment for all stakeholders. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and experiences to apply especially those who share a similar background to the communities we serve.

If you have questions about the application process experience any challenges or need support completing your application please reach out to our talent team at We are committed to ensuring an accessible and welcoming experience for all candidates.

Required Experience:

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