Academic Dean
All Subjects, Kindergarten – Grade 12
Start Date:
end of June 2015
Location:
Hartford, CT; New Haven, CT; Bridgeport, CT; Brooklyn, NY; Providence, RI
About Achievement First:
Achievement First, a non-profit 501(c)3 charter school management organization, will operate 29 public
charter schools in Brooklyn, Connecticut and Rhode Island for the 2014-15 school year. The mission of
Achievement First is to close the achievement gap and deliver on the promise of equal educational opportunity
for all children, regardless of race or economic status. Achievement First currently educates more than 9,100
students in historically underserved and underserved neighborhoods, with over 90% of our students
identifying as Black and Latino. With its college-preparatory focus, the Achievement First approach is attaining
breakthrough academic gains throughout the network. Beyond our students and schools, Achievement First is
an engaged and prominent partner in the larger conversation about how to improve public education and
student achievement in our country.
Achievement First’s approach to teaching and learning enables every student to succeed at the highest levels.
This involves:
 Recruiting and developing successful teachers and school leaders and empowering them to use
student data to strategically drive instruction;
 Creating a joyful school culture where it is “cool to be smart” that emphasizes character education and
focuses students on college;
 Providing students with more time on task and intense intervention when they are struggling so that
no child falls through the cracks.
For more information about Achievement First’s mission, approach, schools and team, please visit our website
at www.achievementfirst.org.
Leading at Achievement First:
Achievement First invites dynamic educators to apply for the position of Academic Dean for the 2015-16
school year. This is an ideal position for a strong teacher or leader who would like to gain experience and
development in school leadership, systems and project management and curricular design. Each school has a
Dean of Students/Culture, academic dean, director of school operations and principal. These leaders
collaborate to ensure all students show dramatic student achievement gains and develop strong character
skills to succeed in college and beyond. The primary responsibility of the Academic Dean is to envision,
cultivate and lead an academic environment where every child reaches ambitious targets for school-wide
levels of mastery. In addition to serving on the school’s leadership team, s/he coaches a portfolio of teachers,
takes leadership of a particular subject or grade level, teaches one to two sections of students and facilitates
high-impact professional development for staff. This position requires an organized and thoughtful educator
with adult leadership experience, deep passion for academic subject matter, a proven ability to manage
multiple concurrent projects and a talent for inspiring outstanding achievement in children.
Essential Responsibilities of the Academic Dean Include but Are Not Limited to:
Cultivate high-achievement academic environment:
 Develop highly effective instructional curriculum and efficient schedule, in collaboration with principal
and Team Teaching & Learning in the network support office.
 Analyze school wide data in order to design responsive student interventions.
Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer.
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Devise and monitor high-impact support plans for struggling students.
Track other useful academic data (e.g. homework completion rates); inspiringly communicate progress
to students, teachers and parents.
Demonstrate exceptional teacher leadership:
 Directly coach a portfolio of teachers to help them master the Achievement First Essentials of Effective
Instruction.
 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.
 Write thorough, thoughtful, actionable Professional Growth Plans (PGPs) for teachers.
 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.
Desired Skills and Characteristics:
 Exemplary instructional and classroom management skills.
 Proven track record of 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, and “roll-up-mysleeves” attitude.
 Intellectual interest in curriculum development, assessment and models of instruction.
 Strong belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model.
Qualifications
 A bachelor’s degree from a competitive college or university; master’s degree preferred.
 At least 3 years of teaching experience with a record of high student achievement.
 Experience leading and managing adults.
Compensation
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Additionally, Achievement First
offers a comprehensive benefits package.
Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer.
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To Learn More About AF and to Apply
Please visit the Achievement First careers site at http://www.achievementfirst.org/careers/school-leaders/
We have four application deadlines for all school leader positions throughout the year. Please submit your
application by one of the deadlines below. A member of our team will reach out regarding next steps following
the deadline.
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First Deadline – November 3rd, 2014
Second Deadline – January 12th, 2015
Third Deadline – March 23rd, 2015
Fourth Deadline – May 4th, 2015
Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer and an organization that values diversity. People from all
diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language proficiency is a plus. You can learn
more about diversity at Achievement First here: http://www.achievementfirst.org/about-us/diversity/.
Achievement First is an equal opportunity employer.
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