Dean of Culture, Grades 5-8 (2024-25 School Year)

Department: Culture

Supervisor: Director of Culture

Type: Full-Time, 11-Month, Salary

Position

In accordance with the Explore! Community School mission and values, the Dean of Culture is an educator with broad knowledge and deep experience in both quality instruction and progressive school culture, as well as a sense of urgency around student achievement and a commitment to our core values. The ideal candidate is an educator who believes deeply in our student-centered mission by constantly holding students to high expectations, working tirelessly towards results, and possessing a “whatever it takes” attitude. As a member of the leadership team, s/he will work closely with the Principal and Director of Culture to contribute to the continual development and improvement of Explore’s model of progressive teaching and learning.

About Explore! Community School

At Explore!, we always begin with our mission: to foster the independence, critical thinking, and creativity of a diverse community of learners so they are fully prepared to become confident, conscientious leaders who change the world. To achieve our mission we emphasize interactive, hands-on, project-based learning to build upon our rigorous, standards-based curriculum and ensure learning is authentic, meaningful, and fun. We focus on the whole child, nurturing the social and emotional development of Explorers while fostering their academic excellence.

Currently serving 550+ students in K-8, we anticipate growing to 700 students over the next several years. Explore! occupies a beautiful new facility in Nashville; a 90,000 square foot building constructed in 2019 in partnership with the city of Nashville as a key component in the new Envision Cayce development. Explore! Community School is an educational outreach of the Martha O’Bryan Center, Nashville’s oldest anti-poverty nonprofit that has been serving the city and Davidson County for over 100 years.

Compensation

This position offers a competitive salary range commensurate with experience, paid leave, and robust benefits including medical, dental and retirement through Metro Nashville Public Schools. More details can be provided upon request.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

● Influence the growth and development of an achievement-focused, positive school culture through high expectations for both academics and behavior

● Plan, lead and execute Tier 1 behavior systems and rewards, in collaboration with the Director of Culture and Principal

● Be a consistent leader of our Social and Emotional Learning program, including leading circles, family meetings, restorative conversations, etc.

● Design and implement individual, grade-level and school-wide interventions and celebrations that are supported and facilitated through our school wide PBIS and RTI2-B system, including Afternoon Program (5-8 only)

● Facilitate the continued refinement and execution of our school wide behavior management system and data collection processes

● Design and implement an ISS/OSS system that utilizes a restorative justice model and includes strong record keeping from incident to student reintegration

● Maintain databases and up-to-date student information on attendance, discipline and family communication

● Facilitate non-instructional supervision of students, such as lunch, recess, study hall, arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, etc

● Directly manage the Behavior Interventionists in a strategic and proactive way

● Keep accurate and organized student records, including digital databases

● Lead professional development and teacher training in the areas of classroom management, culture-building and systems/routines

● Continuously monitor attendance and work with the Behavior Interventionists and the Attendance Team to ensure attendance targets are consistently met

● Collaborate with the Director of Culture, Director of Exceptional Education and Principal to ensure compliance with all federal, state and MNPS guidelines regarding discipline and attendance

Preferred Skills, Experience, and Characteristics

● Evident passion for Explore’s mission, matched with a strong work ethic, and a belief that all students, including those with special needs, can achieve academic success

● Bachelors Degree in Education, Psychology or Social Work; Masters Degree preferred

● Prior teaching and/or leadership experience highly preferred

● Experience with the inner workings of schools or related non-profits, including RTI2-B, school-based interventions, etc.

● Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues

● Strong management skills with classrooms and whole groups (pep rallies, lunches, etc.)

● Demonstrated experience with providing social emotional support to children and families

● Strong organizational skills with unrelenting attention to detail and follow-through

● Possess the energy and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure success

● Maturity, humility, sense of humor, and love for students, staff, and families

● Commitment to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community

● Track record of managing teams of adults, building relationships and trust with colleagues and other stakeholders

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.