Lower School Dean of Students

The school 

Founded in San Francisco in 2010, Alta Vista School implements an inquiry-based STEAM program serving approximately 300 students across two campuses. 

Alta Vista School encourages students to go beyond a strong academic foundation to pursue their passions with the help of our community. Faculty, administrators, and families believe experiences and hands-on activities are the best practice for meaningful learning. AVS educators benefit from small class sizes and are intentional in their instruction. Teachers serve as guides for students as they explore, observe, predict, measure, and analyze for themselves in an inquiry-based journey of discovery and knowledge-making. Likewise, AVS teachers are serious about play. We love learning alongside our students, believing that children learn better in joyous, authentic settings. Most important to the AVS approach is a foundation rooted in the scientific method and a belief that science and technology, guided by the arts, can be leveraged to benefit all. At AVS, students learn to embrace technology and to apply principles of design-thinking as powerful tools for innovation. Technology is thoughtfully integrated into each classroom. 

For more information about Alta Vista School, please visit our website: www.altavistaschool.org.

Traits and requirements

• Develop high-quality, innovative programming aligned with the mission of Alta Vista School.
• Prepare for and actively participate in all school activities, faculty meetings, and conferences, including those with parents, during and after school hours as may be necessary.
• Cultivate collaboration, transparency, inclusion, curiosity, fun, innovation, and excellence in a dynamic learning community.
• As this is an in-person position, candidates must be up-to-date on vaccinations for COVID-19.

The role

The Lower School employs a co-teaching model, where co-lead teachers support the classroom and students throughout the school day. Grade level team work collaboratively to ensure a dynamic and robust experience throughout the grade. The LS Dean of Students reports to the Head of Lower School and is responsible for all issues relating to the wellbeing of the students during their attendance at AVS.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Support the school and its leadership by working collaboratively to develop and implement school-wide programs that reinforce accountability, positive school culture, values, and participation.
• Build upon and improve the school’s new family orientation program.
• In partnership with the Head of Lower School and faculty, co-develop and co-lead the school’s parent education program.
• Keep the Lower School Head fully informed on student issues and all other relevant matters pertaining to school life.
• Collaborate with parents, teachers, students, the Head of Lower School and other stakeholders to address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs such as restorative justice practices, RULER program, Community Meetings, and Recess Oversight.
• Coordinate Community Meetings and continue to build out the school’s programs that support healthy development such as emotional intelligence training, bullying prevention, and puberty education.
• Oversee the development and training of cohesive and consistent behavior management systems, restorative practices, social and emotional learning, and communication escalation paths.
• Support Teachers/Specialists in responding to students’ needs, working closely with the school counselor when appropriate. Resolve discipline problems in a fair and just manner.
• Co-facilitate Student Support Team meetings focused on behavior to coordinate early identification of students at risk and apply appropriate interventions, both instructional and external resource providers.
• Maintain students’ commitment to a “Community of Respect” and follow-through with correspondence record keeping relating to behavior, discipline, and attendance. Schedule parent/teacher meetings as needed and maintain records, correspondence, and transparency with necessary team members relating to parent communication.
• Facilitate Conflict Resolution with student-peer and/or student-teacher.
• Coordinate the Classroom Composition process working with the teachers, Support team and Head of Lower School on homeroom assignments.
• Meet with students at enrollment to conduct a pre-admission evaluation of the student’s transcript and advise the student and school on admission and classroom course.

Other duties

• Assist in supervision before, during, and after school.
• Liaise with the LS Admissions Committee and participate and present during admissions tours, events and new student and family orientation.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head of Lower School.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred in education or counseling
• Leadership experience or project leadership in a school setting
• Experience teaching at both lower and upper elementary level and familiarity with teaching in independent schools
• Deep experience in working with parents to support challenging student dynamics.
• Superior executive skills and the ability to work with a high level of consistency and integrity
• Highly developed communication skills both verbal and written
• An in-depth understanding of children with learning differences/complex learning profiles.
• Knows or has the ability to quickly develop and learn project management systems such as Asana to work cross-functionally across teams
• A sense of humor and optimism and commitment to believing in each student’s ability to learn and grow

How to apply

If interested, please send a resume and cover letter – detailing your educational philosophy and why you believe you would be a good fit at Alta Vista School – to lshiring.committee@altavistaschoolsf.org. 

Statement on nondiscrimination

We are committed to being a safe and welcoming place for all families, students, and faculty. Our school does not discriminate against employees on the basis of race, color, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, or disability.