Interim Dean of Students

TrulyHired; Sturbridge (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School is seeking an Interim Dean of Students for the K-4 program to lead discipline and culture, while providing elementary level intervention sessions as needed. The role begins in February 2027 on a temporary, full-time basis.

The Dean reports to the Assistant Head of School (K-4) and works with teachers, staff, families, and district partners to maintain a positive school climate during a period of transition.

Qualifications

• MA Educator or Administrator license required; bilingual candidates preferred.
• At least five years of demonstrated successful classroom teaching or special education teaching experience, preferably at the elementary level.
• Prior experience as a Dean of Students, assistant principal, or in another school administrative role strongly preferred.
• Experience delivering small-group academic intervention at the elementary level.
• Working knowledge of IEPs and 504 plans and how they shape behavior response for students with disabilities.
• Candidates must have successful experience working with culturally diverse families and communities.
• Experience with EL Education Network School model, Responsive Classroom, or Restorative Justice preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee discipline and school culture for lower school (K-4) and lead one-to-two small-group intervention sessions daily.
• Collaborate with Special Education Coordinator and 504 staff on discipline involving students with disabilities.
• Communicate with families about incidents and follow-up plans; lead re-entry meetings after removals.
• Support staff in overseeing school-wide routines and transitions at Old Sturbridge Village.
• Coach teachers on classroom management and behavior plans; participate in student support team meetings.

Skills

Educator license

Dean of Students experience

Behavior management

Small-group intervention

Culturally diverse families

Leadership

Communication

Education

MA Educator or Administrator license

Job description

Job Description

Interim Dean of Students (K-4) - Old Sturbridge Academy

Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School is seeking an Interim Dean of Students (grades K-4) to lead discipline and school culture in our lower school and to provide small-group academic intervention, on a temporary basis beginning in February 2027. We are looking for an experienced educator with a talent for building relationships with elementary students and their families. If you are looking to work in an innovative public charter school uniquely located at a living history museum and you believe in the power of project-based learning, please consider this position.

Mission

Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School will provide K-8 students with rigorous, real world learning experiences in a supportive and nurturing school community, helping all students to become reflective inquisitors, articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers. Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School, an EL Education (formerly known as Expeditionary Learning) school working in partnership with Old Sturbridge Village, will foster a learning environment that represents all aspects of the diversity spectrum where our students will meet or exceed grade-level expectations in all subject areas.

About the School

Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School opened in 2017 and serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We believe in hands-on learning that focuses on three levels of student achievement: mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality work. Our school's habits of character, which define our culture, are courage, collaboration, stewardship, perseverance, and high-quality work.

Position Summary

The Interim Dean of Students (K-4) carries out the school's character, culture, and crew programs for lower school students and their families, with a primary focus on student discipline and school culture. The Dean also leads one to two small-group academic intervention sessions each day. As an experienced professional educator, the Dean understands and responds to the challenges presented by today's diverse student bodies and their families, and provides steady, proactive leadership through a period of transition.

The Dean reports to the Assistant Head of School (K-4) and works cooperatively with the Special Education Coordinator, School Adjustment Counselor, School Nurse, Teachers, Staff, Students, and Parents/Caregivers to maintain a positive school culture and climate. We seek an individual who has successful experience working in culturally diverse communities and who can step into an established team midyear and earn trust quickly.

The Dean works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the supervision of the Assistant Head of School.

This is a temporary, full-time position beginning in February 2027. The end date is to be determined based on school needs and will be communicated as early as possible.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to the school's Code of Character and Discipline Policies. Manage discipline issues and assign consequences in a thoughtful, logical, and well-documented manner, consistent with Massachusetts law and DESE regulations; empower other professionals to implement the school's Code of Character, including responding to discipline issues and assigning consequences; document character and discipline data
• Collaborate with the Special Education Coordinator and 504 staff on discipline involving students with disabilities, including tracking cumulative removals and supporting manifestation determination meetings
• Respond to escalated student behavior in accordance with OSA's physical management protocols, Massachusetts law, and DESE regulations, including required documentation and reporting of any restraint
• Communicate promptly with families about incidents, consequences, and follow-up plans, and lead re-entry meetings after removals
• Lead one to two small-group academic intervention sessions daily, in coordination with classroom teachers, and monitor student progress
• Model school-culture practices that are consistent with the values of the Academy. Examples include Responsive Classroom and Restorative Justice as supplements to the EL Education Core Practices
• Support all staff in overseeing school wide routines and procedures including lunch/recess procedures, arrival/dismissal procedures, hallway expectations, and transitions in and out of Old Sturbridge Village
• Coach teachers and paraprofessionals on classroom management, de-escalation, and behavior plans, and participate in student support team meetings
• Support implementation of the school's Attendance Policy and collaborate with the school nurse, counselors, teachers, students, and their families to ensure all scholars have high rates of attendance
• Serve as a resource for building staff, administrators, and families in working with students, creating a positive school culture and climate, and helping students develop a positive self-concept and habits of character
• Fulfill mandated reporter obligations under Massachusetts law
• Complete other tasks as assigned by the Head of School

Qualifications

• MA Educator or Administrator license required. Bilingual candidates preferred.
• At least five years of demonstrated successful classroom teaching or special education teaching experience, preferably at the elementary level.
• Prior experience as a Dean of Students, assistant principal, or in another school administrative role strongly preferred.
• Experience delivering small-group academic intervention at the elementary level.
• Working knowledge of IEPs and 504 plans and how they shape behavior response for students with disabilities.
• Candidates must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
• Experience with or knowledge of the EL Education Network School model, Responsive Classroom, or Restorative Justice preferred but not required.
• Skills and ability to serve as an educational leader, including the ability to de-escalate conflict, facilitate difficult conversations with students and families, and lead staff meetings.
• Strong written, verbal, assessment, analytical, and diagnostic skills.
• Ability to pass a Massachusetts CORI and fingerprint-based background check.

Join Our Adult Crew

At Old Sturbridge Academy, our faculty and staff collaborate and support one another and our students through a number of school wide activities, events, and celebrations. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to participate in a number of these events, ranging from celebrations of learning to graduation. We work together to support the safe and happy arrival and dismissal of our students, collaborate and plan together, and use data to guide decision-making.

We are intentional about engaging our faculty and staff in the development of the Academy and of themselves. All staff are encouraged and expected to participate in school-funded professional development opportunities during the school year as approved by the Assistant Head of School.

Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position

The physical demands required for this role are frequently sitting, moving about the campus and school, being able bodied to lift, and physically managing students or materials weighing anywhere from 50-100 pounds, most typically when required to intervene in student safety issues. The candidate will need to acquire certification in the OSA physical management program. The employee may be required to travel in school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Welcome to ATX Learning

Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School will provide k-8 students with rigorous, real world learning experiences in a supportive and nurturing school community, helping all students to become reflective inquisitors, articulate communicators, critical thinkers, and skilled problem solvers. Old Sturbridge Academy Charter Public School, an EL Education school working in partnership with Old Sturbridge Village, will foster a learning environment that represents all aspects of the diversity spectrum where our students will meet or exceed grade-level expectations in all subject areas. The school will be distinguished by four key elements of EL Education: a commitment to community, a commitment to high-quality work, a commitment to real world applications and a commitment to imagination, exploration and immersion. A culture of quality will permeate the school and our students will graduate with an understanding of how they learn best and how to advocate for the resources they need when they are challenged.