Dean of Academics and Culture at Eagles Nest Academy

 

The Opportunity: 
The Dean of Academics and Culture plays a critical leadership role in ensuring instructional excellence and a positive, supportive school culture. This position supports teachers and staff in improving classroom instruction, implements a standards-based curriculum, oversees Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and promotes an environment where students can thrive academically and behaviorally. The Dean of Academics and Culture is a member of the school’s leadership team and part of PLA’s Principal Residency program. As a participant in this program you will learn how to lead a PLA school while contributing to a safe, inclusive, and achievement-oriented climate for all ENA scholars. 

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional Leadership

• Support classroom teachers and school leaders in improving instruction through regular coaching and feedback
• Facilitate the implementation of a rigorous, standards-based curriculum; review lesson plans weekly and provide targeted support
• Conduct frequent teacher observations and debriefs using the PLA Coaching Cycle or a similar instructional framework
• Plan and coordinate high-impact professional development, teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, and family orientation sessions
• Serve as the school’s site lead for Title I, ensuring compliance and alignment with instructional goals
• Monitor and support instructional practices to ensure annual goals related to student achievement are met

Culture & Behavior Management

• Provide leadership in the implementation and monitoring of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
• Collaborate with the PBIS Committee to ensure consistent and effective behavior systems and practices schoolwide
• Lead efforts to maintain fidelity to established schoolwide routines, procedures, and behavior expectations
• Assist teachers with proactive behavior management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and PBIS-aligned classroom practice
• Provide professional development on PBIS, MTSS/RTI, and behavior management systems
• Prioritize instructional time by minimizing student disruptions and maximizing classroom engagement
• Monitor and ensure compliance with policies related to classroom exclusions and suspensions
   

Data & Accountability

• Collect and analyze academic and behavioral data to inform instructional decisions and school culture strategies
• Use data to identify trends, develop responsive interventions, and track the effectiveness of academic and behavior support
• Assist in developing and continuously improving schoolwide practices to support learning and behavior outcomes
   

School Climate & Community Engagement

• Ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff
• Actively contributes to a positive school climate and models high professional standards
• Coordinate special programs and projects such as peer mentoring, service learning, and community involvement
• Communicate effectively with scholars, families, staff, and school leadership
• Support and promote the school’s mission, values, and culture/climate initiatives
   

Professional Growth & Collaboration

• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning and development
• Attend all monthly PiR (Principal in Residence) professional development sessions and weekly coaching calls
• Complete the rigorous 12-month leadership residency and the program deliverables while simultaneously fulfilling the Dean of Academic & Culture's daily responsibilities
• Collaborate with colleagues and contribute to schoolwide initiatives and improvement efforts.
• Exhibit initiative, coachability, and ownership over your leadership growth
   

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Valid administrative certification -or in the last months of a program to become certified
• 5+ years of teaching or instructional leadership experience
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum implementation, instructional coaching, and behavior systems (PBIS, MTSS/RTI)
• Experience with data-driven instruction and decision-making

Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency and accountability in meeting deadlines and performance goals

• Communicates effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders

• Builds and maintains positive, trust-based relationships with colleagues, partners, and funding organizations

• Collaborates effectively across teams to support organizational goals and shared outcomes

 Our Core Values: 

• Children First - Work to ensure that all interactions and decisions put our scholars first
• Respect - Treat others as you would like to be treated
• Determination - With hard work and superior effort, we can achieve all things
• Continuous Improvement - Try to get better and better every day
• Gratitude - Demonstrate gratefulness for all that we have done and the opportunity to serve our scholars and communities

 

PLA is a nonprofit school turnaround operator with a network of high quality, tuition-free public and charter schools.