Dean of Students (26-27)

KIPP Texas Public Schools; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Competitive vacation and flexible PTO policies

Paid family leave

Job summary

A public charter school network in Austin is seeking a Dean of Students responsible for fostering a positive school culture and addressing student behavioral challenges. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, teaching experience, and strong leadership skills. This role involves collaboration with school personnel and parents, development of behavior intervention plans, and support of a dynamic school environment. Comprehensive benefits are provided, including medical, dental, and a flexible PTO policy.

Qualifications

• 2 years of teaching experience in a K-12 setting.
• Proven experience in leading teachers to improve academic outcomes.
• Familiarity with TEA compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Shape school culture and support students' behavioral challenges.
• Develop programs addressing social and emotional needs.
• Collaborate with school leaders for behavior intervention plans.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Leadership and motivation

Data analysis and management

Ability to handle difficult situations

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Tools

DeansList

ClassDojo

Job description

About KIPP Texas Public Schools

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a free, public charter school network with more than 45 Pre‑K – 12 schools across Austin, Dallas‑Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. With over 30 years in Texas, we work together with our families and communities to prepare students for college, career, and beyond! Our schools provide a high‑quality, well‑rounded education built on academic success and personal growth, where all students learn and thrive in a productive, safe, and joyful way.

Job Description

Job Status: This is a general posting for internal candidates. Applications are collected on a rolling basis and reviewed for any opportunity that matches your skills and experience. During the priority window (2/2/26‑3/20/26), a member of our talent recruitment team will reach out to schedule a follow‑up call. We appreciate your interest in staying with KIPP Texas and your commitment to students and families.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Dean of Students is responsible for shaping a structured, supportive, and achievement‑driven school culture. This role involves developing and executing programs to address students’ behavioral and social challenges while also supporting staff and parents. The Dean will collaborate closely with school personnel to implement behavior intervention plans and services for students, ensuring every student receives the guidance they need to succeed. The ideal candidate is a strong leader committed to fostering a positive school environment and ensuring that students are well‑prepared for success in college and beyond.

The ideal candidate for this position will be someone who thrives in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment and has a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate both students and staff. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as is the ability to handle difficult situations with professionalism and empathy. The candidate should be passionate about creating a culture of high expectations that supports every student’s social, emotional, and academic development.

As a Dean of Students you will internalize and drive toward cohort‑specific academic and culture‑related goals in pursuit of supporting KIPP Texas Public Schools in meeting organizational objectives.

• 100% of KTX schools achieve an A or B rating – TBD
• 95% of K‑2 students reading on grade level DIBELS
• KTX earns 90/75/40 on Reading STAAR
• KTX earns 90/75/40 on Math STAAR
• 60% of seniors graduate having scored a 3+ on at least an AP/IB exam
• 80% of students matriculate to a 4‑year college
• 97% Average Daily Attendance
• 100% BOY enrollment by Day 10
• 80% of staff retained

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as member of School Leadership Team

• Collaborate with school leadership (SBMH, APO, Culture/SEL leader) to develop and implement school‑wide initiatives.
• Provide input on strategic decisions related to student behavior, discipline, and school culture.
• Support the alignment of school vision and values across all programs and activities.
• Actively contribute to school‑wide meetings, discussions, and decision‑making processes.
• Attend regional training opportunities related to school culture and discipline, adapting the knowledge and strategies to meet the specific needs and support the unique culture of your campus.

School Culture Monitoring and Feedback

• Conduct regular culture walkthroughs to assess student behavior and school environment.
• Provide real‑time feedback to staff on student engagement, classroom management, and overall school culture.
• Monitor and analyze data related to attendance, behavior, and student engagement.
• Implement and oversee systems for tracking behavior, including Deans List and ClassDojo.
• Review school culture data regularly to identify trends and areas for improvement.

Staff Culture Professional Development and Collaboration

• Lead and participate in school culture and behavior management training for staff.
• Provide classroom management strategies that align with campus behavior expectations.
• Collaborate with staff to create and maintain a positive learning environment.
• Offer guidance and support to staff in handling student behavior and crises.
• Facilitate staff meetings to discuss behavior interventions and share best practices.

Family and Community Engagement

• Strengthen home‑school partnerships through regular communication and family engagement initiatives.
• Support the KIPP Family Association (KFA) to build community involvement.
• Host and organize family events to promote positive student culture.
• Act as a liaison between the school and the community to foster a supportive network.
• Work with families to address behavioral concerns and develop support plans for students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least 2 years of teaching experience as a teacher of record in a K‑12 setting.
• Experience leading teachers and/or teacher leaders to improve academic and culture outcomes for students.
• Proven experience in implementing and training adults in restorative practices, including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL), and other related frameworks.
• Strong familiarity with TEA (Texas Education Agency) compliance requirements and regulations.
• Familiarity with Level I behavior and attendance monitoring systems (DeansList, ClassDojo, Skyward, Purplesense) (preferred).
• Experience working in education partnering with historically underserved communities and communities of color (preferred).

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training

• Teaching Certification (Preferred).
• Crisis Management Training (CPI training).

Competency and Skills

• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment, demonstrating strong prioritization, organization, and follow‑up skills.
• Demonstration of effective data analysis and management practices.
• Excellent interpersonal, human relations, and stress and conflict management skills.
• Excellent planning, goal setting, coordinating, problem analysis, and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to facilitate and lead change initiatives and embrace innovation.
• Enthusiasm to engage parents and community.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.
• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings, and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.

Additional Requirements

• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Works with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment

• Reports to school site Monday‑Friday.
• Typical school environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements

• Minimal travel; may travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning or meetings.

What We Bring to the Table

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families.
• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.
• Paid family leave.
• Flexible spending account or high‑yield HSA.
• Employee assistance programs.
• KIPP also offers the following employee‑paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance, and disability insurance.

EEO

KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.