Jobs

The Advent School, located in the Beacon Hill section of Boston, Massachusetts, serves 200 students in pre-Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. A mission-focused school founded in the principles of social justice, Advent has served the students and families of Boston since 1961. Through its Reggio Emilia-inspired curriculum, Advent’s faculty deliver authentic, rigorous, and experiential learning opportunities that encourage students to “learn with passion, act with courage, and change the world.”

The Advent School seeks a Dean of Student Success & Belonging to cultivate a community of belonging. As Dean, you work closely with the Division Heads to support the full spectrum of the student experience, including nurturing positive identity development and academic learning.

You are a strategic thinker who oversees the School’s DEIJB goals, student progress, educational plans, supplementary academics, and social-emotional learning. Alongside faculty, you ensure safe and positive student engagement by guiding professional development to advance Advent’s DEIJB practices. The Dean and School Counselor support students in conflict resolution and assist families in accessing all the benefits of an Advent education. The Dean reports to the Assistant Head of School.

Dean of Student Success & Belonging is a full-time, salaried position that includes medical and dental insurance, a retirement plan, professional development opportunities, and paid time off.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Actively participate as a member of the Department of Teaching and Learning in the development and successful implementation of school-wide goals/objectives.
• Support the Assistant Head of School and Division Heads in the development of curriculum, programs, and activities that reflects the School’s commitment to social justice and fosters learning through a democratic, anti-bias curriculum.
• Serve as a resource to faculty on effective classroom management strategies and understanding student behavior as communication. This includes coaching faculty on how to use supports and interventions, alongside the Division Heads.
• Develop and curate DEIJB materials, resources, and external networks that support the School’s efforts to be a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
• Coordinate student and faculty/staff affinity spaces, including supporting affinity space leaders, and being a resource for family-coordinated affinity spaces.
• Oversee social-emotional learning and growth education curriculum, with the Counselor, ensuring alignment with the School’s pedagogical and DEIJB practices.
• Work with Division Heads to coordinate student success meetings, document through written plans, and oversee implementation. 
• Coordinate student services including tutoring, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other outside practitioners, with support from the Administrative Coordinator.

Required Skills & Characteristics

The Advent School is a good fit for professionals who believe in the School’s mission of education for equity and social justice. Candidates should possess strong personal drive and motivation, demonstrate exemplary professional behavior and values, and be resourceful, responsible, and collaborative.

The ideal candidate will have extensive teaching and/or leadership experience in addition to:

• Demonstrated leadership in student, family, and faculty support, inclusive classroom management strategies and effective student problem solving.
• Experience with student educational plans and interpreting assessment data.
• Knowledge of various pedagogical approaches and instructional strategies, including social justice teaching, Reggio-inspired practices, and progressive education. 
• Demonstrated skill in mentoring, coaching, and supporting teachers in reflecting upon and developing their practice.
• Strategic thinker and personable community builder who can foster, facilitate, and participate in a collaborative process.
• Ability to navigate family, faculty, and student issues with professionalism and grace.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Interested candidates should email their resume and cover letter, including your connection to The Advent School mission, to Nicole A. DuFauchard P’20, Head of School, at adventadmin@adventschool.org.