Grade Level Dean - Middle School

SEATTLE ACADEMY is a dynamic community that challenges students to question, imagine, and create in order to contribute boldly to a changing world. Our diverse faculty is exceptionally qualified, strong academically, and combines rich life experience with a passion for their disciplines. Our teaching philosophy is geared toward our mission and guiding principles of Culture of Performance, College and Life, Know the Kid, and Inclusive Community.  

The Middle School Grade Level Dean reports to the Head of Middle School and works closely with the Middle School administrative team and other key school administrators, faculty, and staff. The core responsibility of Grade Level Deans are to: work directly with students in developing a healthy and vibrate class culture in keeping with the SAAS Mission and Guiding Principles; help students build the skills and internal compass to align their words, choices and actions with the Core Values; and facilitate partnership between students, faculty and parents to achieve those goals. 

Candidates for the Middle School Grade Level Dean position should possess strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills including attention to detail; the ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure and in a timely manner; ability to administer policies fairly and consistently. Additional qualifications include excellent written and verbal communication skills and superb interpersonal skills that include a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively. 

The position is salaried (exempt) with a salary range of $98,000 to $113,000 and is based on a twelve-month schedule with summer work expectations and benefits and vacation determined per the Staff Handbook, and requires an ability to work flexible hours including weekend and evening work for event support. Candidates should demonstrate experience and willingness to grow in equity and inclusion work that promotes a diverse community environment; and possess a growth mindset, a sense of humor, and genuine interest in making a positive impact on the lives of adolescents and teaching faculty.

General areas of responsibility include:

• Work with faculty and staff to help address student-related behavioral and disciplinary concerns, as well as long-term planning for academic and behavioral issues;
• Facilitate consistent communication with parents, specifically around student issues, plans, and progress;
• Establish structure for team collaboration and decision-making within a specific grade level team;
• Support and reinforce supervisory expectations;
• Oversee and coordinate the grade level advisory program with Middle School advisors, including the
• development of advisory programming and communicating advisor expectations along with the Middle School Leadership Team;
• Partner closely with counselors to help maintain the health and safety of our students;
• Support the community in conversations about upholding the school’s core values and help students align their actions to those values;
• Collaborate with other Middle School Grade Level Deans, Middle School Leadership Team, coordinators, and faculty to plan student orientations and offsite retreats with multiple overnights required.
• Lead and participate in evening parent meetings in conjunction with the Upper School Division team;
• Supervise the grade level Coordinator(s);
• Serve as an evaluator for teaching and coordinating faculty;
• Teach, advise, and/or coach if appropriate and necessary;

Key characteristics include:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in education
• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Compassion, patience, good judgment, sense of humor;
• Strong organizational and communication skills a must;
• Ability to work effectively with all constituent groups - teachers, parents, students, and administrative teams;
• Experience addressing student behavior;
• Creative and imaginative problem-solver;
• Classroom teaching experience is strongly preferred.