Elementary School Academic Dean (Grades K-2)

Organization Description

PAVE Academy Charter School is a public charter school in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY.  PAVE provides a K-8 experience that lays the foundation for a productive and choice-filled life. We build our students brick by brick, equipping them with the academic, social, and emotional skills that they need to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, overcomers and leaders in their communities.

PAVE educates 490 Kindergarten – 8th-grade scholars each school year.  Across our student population, 85 percent of our students are eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program (FRLP); 17 percent receive special education services, and 10 percent are English Language Learners (ELL).

Opportunity Summary

PAVE Red Hook seeks an Academic Dean to be responsible for overseeing, coaching and supporting classroom teachers in designated grades to achieve high academic results for all PAVE students. The Academic Dean will work with the Instructional Leadership Team, teachers, parents, students, and outside instructional consultants. Reporting directly to the Principal and serving as an essential member of the Instructional Leadership Team, the Academic Dean will work closely with the Dean of Students, other Academic Deans and the Principal to establish a strong achievement centered culture; coach all teachers to excellence using data to inform decisions; ensure the functionality of systems that support student achievement; and design targeted individual and group professional development for teachers. The Academic Dean will bring highly effective coaching and teaching practices to shape culture, results, and expectations around what is possible for children at PAVE.

How You'll Contribute

• Exemplify PAVE's core values and promote a positive, professional and efficacious image of PAVE at all times
• Work closely with Principal, Dean of Students, and other Academic Deans to establish a positive and achievement-oriented culture that reflects PAVE's core values
• Work with the Principal to design and implement professional development for both groups of teachers and the whole staff
• Coordinate in-house, state and national assessments
• Collaborate with the Instructional Leadership Team to ensure the constant growth and development of PAVE towards its strategic goals and mission
• Lead and continue to hone the school's standards based assessment strategies and systems in order to support a data-driven culture where assessments are used to increase achievement and support all students
• Continuously review student achievement data to monitor student and class progress towards proficiency goals and targets; use this data to address inconsistencies/trouble-spots as needed
• Implement PAVE's rigorous, college preparatory curriculum
• Continuously review assessments, unit plans, and lesson plans
• Establish performance goals for/with all instructional staff
• Contribute to teacher performance evaluations
• With the Principal, work closely with Grade Team Leads to ensure grade-level goals, challenges, and concerns are being addressed appropriately and intervene when they are not
• Provide timely, relevant, and regular feedback on instructional practices and strategies to ensure continuous improvement and ongoing development of the instructional staff through the use of feedback documents, coaching meetings, and in-classroom coaching
• Create a culture of sharing effective practices amongst instructional staff by facilitating cross-class observations, co-planning sessions, and ad-hoc data meetings as necessary
• With the Principal, develop a plan of action for the year. This may include: needs assessment, goal setting, identification of major task areas and steps for accomplishing tasks, methods for establishing effective communication, and creating methods and/or a calendar for supporting and developing teachers
• Model instruction and co-teach to support and push classroom teachers as needed
• Work with outside instructional vendors and consultants
• Teach as needed
• Any other responsibilities determined by the Principal

What You'll Bring to the Team

• A strong commitment to PAVE's mission and vision
• An uncompromising belief that all students can learn
• A relentless work ethic and a high degree of patience to push through difficult challenges
• A willingness to be held accountable for quantifiable student achievement and academic gains
• The ability and commitment to use data and regular assessment to inform instructional decisions
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team of teachers
• Outstanding public speaking and writing skills
• Technological proficiency and adaptability
• Excellent organizational skills
• The desire and humility to grow as an educator
• At least two years of experience with a proven track-record of high achievement in the classroom
• Experience teaching in an urban public school or charter school setting preferred
• Bachelor's Degree (required), Master's Degree (preferred)
• New York State Teaching Certification or Equivalent

Our Core Values

More than a School: At PAVE, we are more than a school, we are a family. Staff members, families and community organizations work as partners to create a warm, safe and joyful learning environment. Here, students will persevere through any obstacle and blossom into the best version of themselves.

No Limits. At PAVE, the possibilities are endless, and we will not settle for less than our best. PAVE classrooms focus deeply on the academic growth and achievement of our students, as well as their social and emotional development. We maintain high expectations for our students and for ourselves and commit to providing the care, coaching, and communication needed for students and staff to learn, grow, and shine.

Bright Starts.VibrantFutures. At PAVE, our classrooms are bright in aesthetic and vibrant with learning. Our teachers and students engage with one another enthusiastically and embrace the challenge and rigor of the work with joy. Fun is not an add on; it is an essential component of the PAVE experience. We believe that a life and love of learning starts here.

Lift every Voice. At PAVE, every voice matters. We value diverse perspectives and insights within our community. We encourage our students to engage with one another and express themselves with both power and respect. As our students prepare to enter the world beyond PAVE, it is our responsibility to ensure that our students are equipped with excellent character and are empowered to use their voice effectively to advocate for themselves and others.

Love is Justice: At PAVE, we acknowledge that systemic racism and bias have had their grips on our community for far too long. We create inclusive and equitable spaces where everyone belongs, everyone matters, and everyone is loved. "Hate cannot drive out Hate. Only Love can do that" (King, 1963). We endeavor to bring out the best in our students and each other by, with, and through love. This, we believe, is justice in action.

Non-Discrimination Statement

PAVE Schools, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.