School Year 2026-2027 Founding Elementary School Dean of SEL and Community

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK‑12, extended‑day, extended‑year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports‑based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social‑emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom.

We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five‑year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools
—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

Dean of SEL and Community will be responsible for leading DREAM’s social‑emotional Learning Program at Highbridge Elementary School and driving the positive culture for school community, staff, families and students. The ideal candidate is a reliable team player with deep expertise in and commitment to positive youth development and SEL.

• Management and Leadership:
• Serve as a member of the Middle/High School Leadership Teams.
• Supervise and provide professional development of the Family Engagement Managers to ensure strong family partnership and engagement and strong family satisfaction.
• Supervise the school‑based SEL Specialists to ensure high quality tier 1 and 2 SEL support and services; including conduct walkthroughs, review student life data systems, collaborate with other Leadership Team members and drive changes as needed to improve student culture outcomes.
• Lead school‑based community outreach initiatives including school events, attendance support, and family support case management.

• Design and Lead the execution of positive culture initiatives and systems to build positive community among staff, families and students (community gatherings, family events, staff SEL, student incentive systems).
• Lead execution of the SEL curriculum in Advisory, Homeroom and SEL intervention that drives student social‑emotional development.
• Design lesson plans, aligned with DREAM’s network SEL vision for teachers and SEL Specialist.
• Collaborate with Academic Deans to utilize student academic and social emotional learning achievement data to customize and improve instruction.
• Drive the execution of SEL data systems including SEL data administration and collection, data analysis, continuous improvement, and action planning.
• Provide coaching and professional development for school staff to improve the execution of SEL programming (e.g. observation and feedback, whole group PD).

• Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in education, social work, youth development or related field; advanced degree in an education field, preferred.
• Minimum 5 years experience working with and engaging youth, families and teachers, with at least 2 years in a management role managing full‑time teams to outcomes.
• Successful experience in people management and/or coaching and leading professional development in large group, small group and one‑on‑one settings, strongly preferred.
• Strong track record of success and achievement orientation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Air‑tight follow through.
• Outstanding organizational skills and airtight follow through, including the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strong critical thinking skills, including the ability to independently solve problems.
• Successful experience leading professional development in large group, small group and one‑on‑one settings.
• A desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Self‑starter and ability to innovate and think creatively.
• Deep embodiment of DREAM’s organizational values of teamwork, diversity, integrity, and fun.
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students,…