Lower School Dean of Teaching and Learning

Company: Polytechnic School
Location: Pasadena
Posted on: April 5, 2021

Job Description:

Lower School Dean of Teaching and Learning 3/19/2021 About Poly
An independent, coeducational college-preparatory school in Pasadena, Calif., Polytechnic School offers a broad curriculum in the liberal arts for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Founded in 1907, the school enrolls approximately 860 students from diverse ethnic, racial, religious, and economic backgrounds.--
The mission of Polytechnic School is to develop the intellect, talents, and character of each student in a community of learning dedicated to principles of academic excellence that values the uniqueness and dignity of each member and fosters personal responsibility and service to others. We are committed to honesty, justice, charity, and the pursuit of knowledge. We respect the dignity and worth of all human beings-their thoughts, their feelings, and their individuality. We seek to celebrate the joy, the love, and the creativity that emanate from the human spirit. We strive to be responsible and contributing members of our families, our school community, and the world. The Poly community appreciates the cultural, ethnic, and economic diversity present in the Pasadena area and strives to reflect it. Members of the Poly community appreciate and learn from individual differences, foster the ability to disagree with civility, and embody courtesy and compassion.
Job Summary The Lower School Dean of Teaching and Learning reports directly to and works closely with the Lower School Director to cultivate a joyful, robust, and student-centered academic environment. Responsible for curriculum, pedagogy, and learning, the dean oversees all academic programming and activities, provides leadership to faculty and the Student Success Team, and manages the processes by which instruction is delivered to students at all levels of the multi-tiered system of support. In addition, the dean is responsible for providing support for and to students with learning differences. Responsibilities Specific duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the student support process for identifying, monitoring, and remediating students who learn differently;
• Support students with different learning styles by providing intervention and remediation;
• Support teachers in their efforts to advance students with different learning needs within the classroom;--
• Work with parents, students, and outside professionals in order to better support students with learning differences;
• Team with teachers to devise skillful classroom management practices (routines and procedures) to ensure a productive learning environment;--
• Regular participation in professional development opportunities to maintain and grow expertise in the subject matter;
• Special responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: development of a solid knowledge base of the curriculum; assist teachers in the classroom to help adjust, accommodate, and enrich curricular approaches and improve pedagogy; use formative and summative assessments and document student progress and achievement; educate faculty and parents on topics relevant to learning differences.
• Collaboration with members of the Lower School faculty, staff, and the entire K-12 community;
• Serve as a "Panther Pod" (advisory) leader;
• Manage the Lower School Fellows program;
• Champion the philosophy and mission of the school and its leadership while meeting curricular and pedagogical goals;
• Active commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and social justice to promote a healthy learning environment;
• Willingness to take on other duties as needed. Required Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be well organized, thoroughly versed in meeting student needs across the developmental spectrum and in providing targeted instruction to students with learning differences. A specialized background in learning differences, interpreting and applying complex educational plans, as well as aligning and monitoring effectiveness of interventions and alternative strategies to maximize learning for students are required skills for this position.
  • Specialized credentials that include a MA degree in Special Education, Educational Therapy, or Literacy Specialist are preferred
  • Educational professional with at least five years of experience teaching or administration, preferably within independent schools at the elementary level
  • Exceptional administrative, management, and leadership skills
  • Successful track record of collaboration in curriculum and program assessment and design across grades, instructional coaching, teacher evaluation, and working with a wide range of learners
  • Knowledge of child development, learning disabilities, psycho-educational and neuropsychological evaluations and accommodations, reports, and assistive technology
  • Knowledge of administering and interpreting assessments and test results, academic achievement, and diagnostic testing
  • Full understanding of differentiated instructional strategies across the curriculum
  • Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with all stakeholders, including administration, faculty, parents, and students
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong work ethic, high level of integrity, and experience managing complex, confidential information.
  • An educational and leadership philosophy consistent with the mission of the school Physical requirements and work environment
    • Work in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines, as well as a diverse array of contacts;
    • Work at a desk and computer;--
    • Ability to lift up to 30 pounds;
    • Work primarily in a traditional climate-controlled classroom environment;
    • Work intermittently in outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. Salary Polytechnic School is committed to attracting and retaining talented, dedicated employees through a competitive compensation plan that is commensurate with experience.
      Benefits A full benefits package includes medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance and a TIAA/CREF retirement plan. Equal Opportunity Employer In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, Poly will recruit, hire, train, and promote faculty and staff without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, genetic information, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, marital status, pregnancy, age, medical condition and physical or mental disability (whether perceived or actual), or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. School policy also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
      
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Keywords: Polytechnic School, Pasadena , Lower School Dean of Teaching and Learning, Other , Pasadena, California