KIPP Memphis Public Schools is part of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), a national network of tuition-free, open-enrollment, public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond.  There are currently 280 KIPP schools across the nation serving nearly 120,000 students.  Founded in 2002, KIPP Memphis serves over 1,500 K-12 students in our four North Memphis schools and almost 900 alumni on their journeys to-and-through college with our KIPP Forward Program.

As a leader in providing high quality education for students who need us most, the KIPP Memphis team and family serves as a model of excellence and collaborates with other community organizations to raise the overall quality of education in Memphis. The mission of KIPP Memphis is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose – college, career, and beyond – so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

The Dean of Culture will collect and manage the culture ‘metrics’ of the school that include components of academics, social emotional well-being, and behavior.

Core Responsibilities

Area #1: School Culture and Climate

• Enforce the vision of school culture and climate as set by teachers and advisors.
• Provide strategies for continuing the articulation of the schools’ culture and climate to staff and students.
• Develop interventions for students, in tandem with parents, counselors, special education teachers, and advisors, who do not adhere to the school’s vision for culture.
• Enforce school policies after teacher’s discipline measures have been exhausted.
• Promote attitudes, behaviors, and skills for improved learning.
• Encourage parental involvement in the pursuit of student achievement and a positive school culture.
• Work collaboratively with the counseling team, advisors, and Principal to plan individual school and/or system-wide programs to promote a positive and caring school culture for students and teachers.
• Develop  and execute new student and parent orientation.
• Develop  school-wide events that focus on student development, school culture, parent/community involvement, etc.
• Serve as liaison to parents and facilitate parent education and involvement, including reinforcing the need for parents to support the school’s policies and practices for student discipline, dress code, homework, and events.

Area #2: Academic Culture    

• Implement a process for keeping track of students credits, recovery courses, and programming them for next courses to ensure 100% on track status for all students at all times.
• Track the graduation requirements for students.
• Develop communication systems for tracking needs to students, parents and staff.
• Organize, monitor, and interpret data obtained from surveys, inventories, and other measurement tools to help counselors, Principal, teachers and school director make effective student development-related educational decisions.
• Evaluate students’ academic performance, behavior, social and emotional development, and physical health.

Area #3: Student Discipline/Behavior Management

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing behavior management strategies and programs; make recommendations for improvement, as necessary to the Principal.
• Work with Principal to provide data to Principal to train and support teachers in areas such as classroom management, behavior prevention programs, teacher-parent communication, etc.; Present to faculty as determined by Principal.
• Serve as an administrative point person in cases of severe discipline and communicate directly to the Principal.
• Act in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and/or policies that relate to students and families, and consult with school personnel to ensure compliance in those areas.

Qualifications

• BA or BS required; and MA or MS preferred
• Certification in related field (minimum); Tennessee administrative license (preferred)
• Experience working in underserved communities is preferred
• Excellent organizational, planning and implementation skills
• Relentless results-orientation and strong sense of purpose
• Experience with leading and coaching adults
• Ability to establish relationships and communicate effectively with multiple constituencies
• Reflective and able to execute in an efficient and effective manner with managers, peers and support personnel
• Unquestioned integrity and commitment

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience, degree attainment, and credentials. A competitive benefits package will also be offered.

KIPP Memphis Schools are committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school. KIPP Memphis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.