Dean of Students

Dean of Students (High School)

Reports to:

Assistant Principal for Student Services

The Dean of Students serves as a building leader in cultivating a school culture where every student feels safe, seen, and supported. The Dean acts as a behavioral coach and restorative practitioner. Reporting to the Assistant Principal for Student Services, this role focuses on strengthening student decision‑making, improving school‑wide attendance, and fostering a sense of accountability through community‑building. The Dean works as a collaborative partner with teachers, families, and student support teams to ensure a secure, inclusive, and high‑functioning learning environment.

• State of Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
• Endorsement in Secondary Education and General Administrative.

Major Policy Responsibilities: The dean is responsible for following and implementing the policies of the Board of Education, as well as the school rules regarding student attendance and discipline. The dean is also expected to work cooperatively with other staff members to create and maintain a safe, orderly, secure and positive environment.

• Student Growth & Positive Culture

Focus:
Empowering students to take ownership of their actions and establish strong relationships.

• Behavioral
  
  Coaching:
  
  Meet with students daily to provide mentorship on self‑regulation, conflict resolution, and responsible decision‑making, prioritizing the importance of both physical and emotional safety.
• Proactive Interventions:
  Partner with Student Intervention Team colleagues and school-wide staff to prevent misbehavior and proactively identify needed supports.
• Collaborative Interventions:
  Partner with families to identify the "why" behind chronic absenteeism, developing collaborative plans to re‑engage students.
• Restorative Leadership:
  Facilitate restorative conversations aligned with best practice to foster positive interactions between students and between students and staff, seeking to resolve conflicts and reintegrate learners into the learning environment.
• Community Presence:
  Maintain a high‑visibility presence in hallways and during school events to build authentic relationships with the student body.

• Collaborative Management & Staff Support

Focus:
Building a unified approach to school safety and classroom success.

• Teacher Partnership:
  Collaborate with faculty on classroom management strategies, offering feedback and support to help teachers handle behavioral challenges through a restorative lens.
• Team Synergy:
  Serve as a core member of the Student Intervention Team (SIT), working alongside counselors, psychologists and social workers to provide holistic support for students in crisis.
• Safety Coordination:
  Partner with our School Resource Officer and student supervisors to ensure school safety measures are implemented with empathy and equity.
• Logistics & Operations:
  Oversee bus‑related issues and school‑day transitions, ensuring these high‑traffic times are orderly and positive.

• Professional Leadership & Training

Focus:
Advancing school‑wide safety and behavioral expertise.

• Staff Development:
  Design and lead training sessions for staff regarding restorative practices, de‑escalation techniques, and up‑to‑date safety protocols.
• Strategic Feedback:
  Provide ongoing feedback to administration regarding the effectiveness of student services and emergency response plans.
• Family Advocacy:
  Act as a primary liaison for parents and guardians, moving beyond "reporting" issues to connecting with families throughout the problem‑solving process.