2024-25 RI Dean Of Special Services

School Year: 2024-25

Leading at Achievement First 

As a Special Services Dean at Achievement First, you will be at the center of this work— coaching our teachers and driving decisions that will benefit our scholars. Here, you will be the driver of high quality coaching instruction that enables teachers to develop and deliver strong content and to  instill a lifelong love of learning in our scholars. You will work with teachers to be your students’  champion who believes all students are capable of greatness and achievement far beyond what  society has been conditioned to accept. You will be a demander of excellence for yourself, your  teachers and your students, the warm and unyielding classroom presence that encourages and  accepts nothing less than students’ best and most thoughtful work. 

At Achievement First, you will grow as a passionate and constant leader who thrives on feedback, enjoys regular one-on-one coaching with our principal, and nurtures a voracious appetite for  professional development and consistent improvement. You will cultivate schoolwide classroom  cultures built on strong structures, communication and lasting relationships. Every day, you will  contribute to the education of children who will go on to become first-generation college students and return to our communities as the next generation of game-changers.  

As a Dean of Special Services at Achievement First, your typical week would include the  following, and so much more: 

• Design and manage schoolwide academic interventions, particularly in reading and math
• Ensure Child Study Team identifies scholars in need of plans. 
• Manage Special Services relationship with host district and monitor IEP compliance.
• Track other useful academic data (e.g. homework completion rates); communicate progress to students, teachers and parents. 

Demonstrate exceptional teacher leadership:  

• Directly coach and develop a portfolio of teachers. 
• Observe lessons regularly and deliver targeted feedback to teachers.
• Collaborate with grade/subject teams to plan units, lessons and assessments; regularly share feedback.
• Model outstanding instruction for teachers. 

Facilitate excellent professional development: 

• Coordinate and manage creative, inspiring professional development sessions in line with school goals and priorities. 
• Direct the interim assessment process to ensure teachers are using current data to drive instruction; facilitate regular, meaningful interim assessment data debriefs with teachers. 

Serve as an active member of the school leadership team:  

• Participate in regular leadership team meetings. 
• Lead staff trainings at start and end of school year and on professional development days. 
• Work closely with dean of students to support efforts in character development and  positive school culture. 
• Assist teacher leaders (e.g., coaches, grade team leaders) in developing leadership skills.
• Model the Achievement First professional and core values at all times; be a visible and highly engaged leader in the school community. 

Skills and Characteristics: 

• A commitment to Achievement First’s mission, deep love of content, and an unwavering belief that all students can and will succeed. 
• Track record of exemplary instructional and classroom management skills, including meeting extremely high standards for student achievement 
• High level of personal organization and planning. 
• Excellent communication skills with diverse constituents (teachers, parents, children,  board members); clear writer, facilitator and public speaker. 
• Proven ability to proactively lead by example, effectively manage adults, and seek out  feedback. 
• Team player: maturity, humility, strong work ethic, follow-through, sense of humor, willingness to respond positively to feedback and a “roll-up-my-sleeves” attitude.
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for subject matter. 

Educational Background and Work Experience: 

• A bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred. 
• At least 3 years of teaching experience with a record of high student achievement.
• At least 1 year of experience leading and managing adults. 
• Experience serving students with special education needs
• If not currently certified, obtaining necessary state certification in specific subject and grade level is required within the first two months of employment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. Dean salaries in RI range from $80,078 - $89,244. 
• As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.