Dean of Academics and Culture at Eagles Nest Academy

The Opportunity:
The Dean of Academics and Culture plays a critical leadership role in ensuring instructional excellence and a positive, supportive school culture. This position supports teachers and staff in improving classroom instruction, implements a standards-based curriculum, oversees Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and promotes an environment where students can thrive academically and behaviorally. The Dean of Academics and Culture is a member of the school’s leadership team and part of PLA’s Principal Residency program. As a participant in this program you will learn how to lead a PLA school while contributing to a safe, inclusive, and achievement-oriented climate for all ENA scholars.

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership

• Support classroom teachers and school leaders in improving instruction through regular coaching and feedback.
• Facilitate the implementation of a rigorous, standards-based curriculum; review lesson plans weekly and provide targeted support.
• Conduct frequent teacher observations and debriefs using the PLA Coaching Cycle or a similar instructional framework.k
• Plan and coordinate high-impact professional development, teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, and family orientation sessions.
• Serve as the school’s site lead for Title I, ensuring compliance and alignment with instructional goals.s
• Monitor and support instructional practices to ensure annual goals related to student achievement are met.
  
  

Culture & Behavior Management

• Provide leadership in the implementation and monitoring of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Collaborate with the PBIS Committee to ensure consistent and effective behavior systems and practices schoolwide.
• Lead efforts to maintain fidelity to established schoolwide routines, procedures, and behavior expectations
• Assist teachers with proactive behavior management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and PBIS-aligned classroom practice.s
• Provide professional development on PBIS, MTSS/RTI, and behavior management systems.
• Prioritize instructional time by minimizing student disruptions and maximizing classroom engagement.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with policies related to classroom exclusions and suspensions.
  
  

Data & Accountability

• Collect and analyze academic and behavioral data to inform instructional decisions and school culture strategies.
• Use data to identify trends, develop responsive interventions, and track the effectiveness of academic and behavior support.s
• Assist in developing and continuously improving schoolwide practices to support learning and behavior outcomes.
  
  

School Climate & Community Engagement

• Ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff
• Actively contributes to a positive school climate and models high professional standards
• Coordinate special programs and projects such as peer mentoring, service learning, and community involvement
• Communicate effectively with scholars, families, staff, and school leadership
• Support and promote the school’s mission, values, and culture/climate initiatives
  
  

Professional Growth & Collaboration

• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development
• Attend all monthly PiR (Principal in Residence) professional development sessions and weekly coaching calls
• Complete the rigorous 12-month leadership residency and the program deliverables while simultaneously fulfilling the Dean of Academic & Culture daily responsibilities
• Collaborate with colleagues and contribute to schoolwide initiatives and improvement efforts.
• Exhibit initiative, coachability, and ownership over your leadership growth
  
  

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Valid administrative certification -or in the last months of a program to become certified
• 5+ years of teaching or instructional leadership experience
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum implementation, instructional coaching, and behavior systems (PBIS, MTSS/RTI)
• Experience with data-driven instruction and decision-making

Core Competencies:

• Works with urgency
• Strong Communicator – both written and verbal
• Builds relationships
• Collaborative

Our Core Values:

• Children First - work to ensure that all interactions and decisions put our scholars first
• Respect - Treat others as you would like to be treated
• Determination - With hard work and superior effort, we can achieve all things
• Continuous Improvement - try to get better and better every day
• Gratitude - Demonstrate gratefulness for all that we have done and the opportunity to serve our scholars and communities

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.