Organization: Excel Academy Charter Schools
Job Title: Dean of Student Supports
Location: Excel Academy Charter Schools - Rhode Island
Reports to: Head of School

Organization Overview

Excel Academy was founded in 2003 with the mission to provide a high-quality education to students in East Boston and Chelsea Massachusetts. Over the years, we have grown from one middle school to a network of four schools with 1,400 students in grades 5 to 12. In the fall of 2022 we will welcome a founding class of 5th graders to help us launch Excel Academy Rhode Island. By 2032, Excel Rhode Island will run 4 schools serving over 2,100 students from Providence, North Providence and Central Falls. At Excel Academy Charter Schools, we believe that when a student has the support and tools to pursue a productive post-secondary pathway aligned to their personal identity and values, it can fundamentally change their life trajectory.

We present our students with educational experiences that allow them to grow and discover their best selves so that when they leave our halls, they can successfully navigate all of the post-secondary options available to them. You can read more about the impact of the Excel Academy model here.

At Excel Academy we learn from our students, families, and staff and make improvements. We have increasingly adapted to provide a holistic education that values our community as collaborators in the learning process, social-emotional support, equity for diverse learners, and fosters identity development. We prioritize an approach that is both rigorous and inclusive. Our team of passionate, intelligent, driven, and loving staff are at the core of the work we do.

Growth Happens Here

Duties and Responsibilities

Context: We are looking to hire a Founding Dean of Student Supports as we expand to Rhode Island and launch Excel RI. The DOSS will have a planning year alongside the Head of School and Dean of Operations before opening in SY 22-23 with a cohort of fifth grade students.

The Role: The Dean of Student Supports (DOSS) provides focus and specialized support to Student Support Teams, including, but not limited to, Special Education, ELL, and Counseling at Excel Academy Charter High School, and impacts students with disabilities at a variety of levels. This position will report to the Head of School, and will ensure students receiving special education, 504 accommodations, and or ELL services make significant academic and social/emotional gains. The Dean of Student Supports will also manage key instructional roles across the learning support team and learning support leadership team.

Oversee Student Supports and Intervention

• Oversee Special Education Consultants on a school-based level (SLP, OT, School Psych, etc.)
• Manage the implementation and quality of of all Special Education and ELL programming, including Extended School Year
• Coordinate, monitor and evaluate programming on a regular basis to ensure students with special needs have access to high quality programs, supports, and related services
• Hold a high level, holistic, understanding of how students with special needs, 504 plans, and ELLs are accessing academic programming and use data to drive necessary changes with key stakeholders
• Coordination and collaboration with the Network Director of Student Supports, and interim case management, for students that may be considered for outplacement.
• May lead Student Supports Team (SST)

Directly manage and cultivate key staff members

• Manage members of broader Student Supports Teams, which may include, Instructional Learning Specialists, Case Managers, ELL Specialists, Counselors, school Psychologist, and student supports administrators;
• Serve as the leader of school-based Student Supports Teams, including Special Education, ELL, and Counseling, at Excel Academy Charter High school

Manage Special Education Documentation

• Oversee Special Education compliance, including, evaluations, IEP and 504 paperwork;
• Support network and school PAC meetings coordination;
• Serve as Local Educational Agency representative (LEA)

Dean of Students Collaboration

• Partner with the Dean of Student office, especially when working with students who have IEPs and 504 plans to manage behavior plans;
• Support compliance with the IEP/504 suspension regulations, including managing the Manifestation Determination Review process

Serve as a productive member of the Administrative team and Senior Leadership Team

• Provide morning and after-school coverage as specified by the team;
• Drive school improvement through participation in annual summer strategic planning cycle;
• Meaningfully participate in monthly leadership meetings and weekly instructional leadership team meetings; and
• Collaborate regularly with other administrators, including the Head of School, Assistant Head of School, other Deans (Deans of Students, Operations, Curriculum & Instruction, & College Access & Post-secondary support), and Network Director of Student Supports

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree and certification in Special Education is required; a Master’s degree is strongly preferred;
• A minimum of three years’ special education teaching experience in an urban public school or charter school setting is strongly preferred;
• A commitment to and belief in all students and the mission of Excel Academy Charter Schools, including Excel’s values and educational model;
• A commitment to addressing racial and economic inequity in education;
• The ability to focus and thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and the willingness and desire to support others in doing their best work; and
• An openness to change, a willingness to problem-solve, and an interest in receiving feedback for continuous improvement.

Preference will be given to applicants who also:

• Have experience in a public or charter school setting
• Speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, Khmer, and Vietnamese
• Can clearly articulate the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and provide examples of how this commitment will be woven into all aspects of the school vision.