The Upper School of Dwight-Englewood is structured administratively to provide the best possible support, guidance and leadership for the students of the Upper School. Administrators must know students well and be able to work knowledgeably with each of them, and their families. Towards that end, the class deans were created to achieve that level of connection. The dean of a particular grade level assumes the overall responsibility for all students in that grade and follows the grade through the four years of high school. Those responsibilities emanate from the “whole child” approach that the School endorses in its foundation documents, and include all areas of a student’s life in school.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Monitoring overall progress for all students, both the academic and social-emotional growth of all members of one grade

• Monitoring involvements in co-curricular life such as athletics, the arts, community service and other activities. 

• The class dean travels with the grade throughout the four years of Upper School

• As part of the Upper School Administrative team, the class dean participates in the planning and execution the daily operation of Upper School activities and events

• Fostering a positive climate and visible presence in school and at school events.

• Facilitating communication among parents, faculty and students.

• Serve as the primary liaison between parents and school, interfacing with teachers as necessary to listen to parent concerns, school concerns with parents, and communicate about grade-level events.

• Serve as the nexus of the communication web and the support web for each student.

• Articulate the division’s strategies and goals in achieving the mission of the school and to set grade level objectives and policies accordingly in cooperation with team members and in concert with the principal.

Specific Duties: 

• Leading a group of homeroom advisors who actively support the needs of the grade 
• Providing for the academic guidance of students; to maintain complete academic placement schedule records on all students.  Work with department chairs and advisors on placement.
• Directing the academic scheduling process for this grade
• Working with parents, faculty and other administrators in support of the grade

• Monitoring and tracking attendance of students in the grade.

• Maintaining student discipline and follow-through with correspondence record keeping relating to discipline.

• Keeping the Principal fully informed on student issues and all other relevant matters pertaining to school life.

• Organizing grade-level activities to encourage grade unity and identity.

• Attending some evening and weekend events as scheduled (admissions, curriculum, social events)

• Collecting and reviewing faculty reports on students and coordinating support services for students with other school personnel, such as the Director of Student Support Services, the school psychologist.

• Assisting in the coordination of the co-curricular and extra-curricular activity programs of the school; to assist in the planning and the presentation of school assemblies and programs; to assist in maintaining a comprehensive calendar of school events.

• Teaching equivalent of up to two classes.

Particular aspects of being dean of the ninth grade include:

• Transition into the Upper School of both rising eighth graders from the middle school and new students coming from outside of Dwight-Englewood, including an overnight orientation trip.

• Coordination of ninth grade teachers and advisors on academic and other “beginning Upper School” issues.

• Attendance at meetings and events about ninth grade such as admissions gatherings.

• Working with the Director of Social-Emotional Learning on the Peer Mentoring Class.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong organizational, collaborative and communication skills.

• Strong working knowledge of adolescent development.

• Understands, connects well and enjoys working with adolescents.

• Creative thinker on issues of co-curricular and whole child education.

• Three to five years teaching experience at the Upper School level.

• Commitment to working with a diverse student body

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse educational setting.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Warmth, humor, energy, and compassion for Upper School aged children and their parents.

Terms of Employment: 

The deans return to school approximately one week prior to the faculty and remain approximately one week after the faculty leaves in June to organize and then close out the school year in an organized fashion. They may also be required to work for two or three days at the beginning of August to view and vet some student schedules.

About Dwight-Englewood School

Dwight-Englewood School (D-E) is a coeducational, college preparatory school for students in preschool through grade twelve. We are a diverse community where, in small classes, teachers create an environment that promotes ethical decision-making centered around the school’s core values: respect, honesty, good judgment, commitment, courage, and community. Located in a quiet New Jersey suburb ten minutes away from New York City, we enroll over 1000 students from 89 communities in Bergen and northern Hudson Counties in New Jersey, southern Rockland County in New York, along with a sizable population of students coming to us from New York City. Our convenient location accommodates both urban and suburban residential choices, provides a wide variety of cultural opportunities, and offers easy access to nearby athletic and outdoor experiences. www.d-e.org D-E is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or military veteran status. The diversity of our student body supports our commitment to employ a diverse faculty and staff. ...Educators who bring knowledge and expertise in equity, diversity and multicultural education are especially encouraged to apply.

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Connections working at Dwight-Englewood School