Job Description: High School Dean of Students and Families

 

Our School: Libertas is a public charter school serving the Frayser neighborhood in Memphis. Our mission is to be a school for human flourishing: cultivating minds, hands, and hearts for lives of wonder, work, and love. We provide a rich, rigorous, and personalized education through the method of Dr. Maria Montessori and the classical liberal arts. We offer an attachment village of wraparound family supports and develop virtues of character. Tennessee has twice named Libertas a Reward School - a top 15% school. Approximately 80% of Libertas students are Black/African American, over 83% are eligible for free or reduced price meals, and over 30% receive special education services. We currently serve infant and toddler, early childhood and elementary at our founding location and a middle school on a second nearby campus. 

 

In summer 2027, we will launch a small-by-design high school, ultimately serving 250 students in grades 9-12 at a third nearby campus. Our holistic, humane education will bring together deep engagement with rich literary and cultural traditions with meaningful contribution through student enterprise and the “work of the hand.” We will prepare graduates for lives of independence and virtue as they enter college or pursue meaningful careers, and all participate in civic life.  Learn more about Libertas on our website.

 

Role Summary: In collaboration with the High School director, lead the culture and daily program operations of our new high school for human flourishing, where adolescents are prepared for a life of purpose by being formed as whole persons through rigorous academics, meaningful work, and an attachment village that cultivates hearts for virtue. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help start and lead a nationally-recognized and trajectory-changing high school.

 

Role Information

• Full-time role. Work hours will vary with the published school calendar, and High School hours are not yet confirmed. For reference, current instructional staff hours are:
• Lower School: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM  (faculty meetings on Wednesdays until 4:30, other after-school meetings until 4:45 PM are common).
• Middle School: 7:45 AM - 3:45 PM  (faculty meetings on Tuesdays until 4:45, other after-school meetings until 4:45 PM are common). 
• Assist with periodic school events outside of the normal schedule. Two additional weeks of work in the summer for closeout and planning.
• Reports to: High School Director
• Key relationships: High School staff, Operations team, network Family Engagement staff, school-wide support leaders, High School students and families

 

Measures of Success

• Satisfaction among stakeholders (including high school program staff and families)
• Student growth on school metrics (e.g. gradebook, NWEA MAP, TNReady, etc.), especially for students with more significant behavioral and social/emotional challenges
• Student attendance
• High School student persistence (intrayear and year-to-year)
• Frequent and documented parent communication
• Accurate and timely tracking of and responding to teacher and student data
• Compliance with laws and policies around student discipline, isolation/restraint, counseling, etc.
• Positive, peaceful school culture
• Implementation of restorative practices and tiered intervention plan
• Satisfactory performance evaluations
• Other indicators

 

Key Responsibilities

Student Culture and Behavior (80% of time and effort)

• Lead the implementation of High School systems and procedures including arrival/dismissal, transitions, and meals
• Be present and visible in common areas during all transitions to ensure a positive and peaceful school culture
• Be present and visible in classrooms during academic time to support student engagement and learning
• Work with other leaders to define school culture practices and initiatives
• Plan and implement behavior protocols and supports, foster positive relationships, ensure appropriate limits for student behavior, assist students during calm-down, facilitate reconnection and restoration of relationships and repair as needed, and support conflict resolution
• Monitor and respond to behavior, discipline, and attendance data. Maintain records and provide reports. 
• Make discipline and suspension determinations in partnership with the High School Director and teachers.
• Communicate with families about behavior referrals.
• Coach and collaborate with teachers around culture, behavior, and discipline. Train, coach, and support staff and students in implementing restorative discipline practices.
• Communicate and enforce the student dress code.
• Ensure the effective implementation of our Virtue Study curriculum for teaching character and social-emotional practices in the classroom setting.
• Oversee and participate in the process of identifying and addressing student needs. Gather data, provide interventions, and support implementation.
• Serve as state-mandated Child Abuse Coordinator

 

Family Engagement & Community Partnerships (10-15% of time and effort)

• Develop relationships with High School families
• Address parent concerns about school culture and student behavior
• Collaboration with the Family Engagement team to implement events and programs specifically intended for High School families
• Support Family Engagement Team by communicating with High School families regarding escalated attendance issues
• Support Family Engagement Team’s enrollment and re-enrollment efforts by communicating with High School families and students about the enrollment process
• Support the Events Coordinator with Field Trip logistics
• Develop relationships with community partners and engage them in supporting our program (including partnerships with Alliance, Youth Villages, social work interns, etc.)

 

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in all High School professional development, including academic PDs
• Lead or support other school initiatives as needed
• Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications and Traits

• Substantial, multiple years of effective teaching and/or leadership experience in a high-need or underserved community
• Proven experience leading teams and projects to achieve desired results
• Comfort and experience analyzing and presenting data
• Warm and firm demeanor
• Effective communication, including listening, writing, and speaking
• Ability to multi-task while staying organized and attentive to detail
• Flexible, takes initiative, and has a strong sense of personal ownership of responsibilities
• Work collaboratively, with a growth mindset. Give and receive feedback in a spirit of craftsmanship
• Model of character
• Dedication to support human flourishing through the Montessori method and the school’s philosophy of wonder, work, and love for all students; participate in Montessori-related professional development (readings and/or trainings)
• Bachelor’s degree or higher. Degree or credential in a related field preferred.

 

Compensation

• Salary range: $55,000 to $70,000 based on experience and qualifications.
• Investment in professional development and growth.
• Paid sick leave. Deferred pay model distributes salary throughout the year (including breaks and vacations).
• Health insurance including family plans, with employer contributions above market rates; retirement benefits (TCRS or up to 5% match).

 

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply at www.libertasmemphis.org.  Libertas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.