What are the responsibilities and job description for the Upper School Dean (10th Grade) position at Bullis School?
Job Details
Description
Bullis School seeks a 10th Grade Dean to support our caring and inclusive community starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. The Dean provides leadership, guidance, and support for all students and families in the 10th grade. As the grade’s primary resource and advocate, this role is responsible for facilitating the successful integration of all components of the student experience at Bullis, including academic achievement, personal accountability, and social dynamics. In coordination with the other grade-level deans, the Assistant Head of Upper School for Student Affairs, the Head of the Upper School, and other members of the student support team, the Dean plans and assists with student programming that fulfills the collective needs of the student body as well as individualized guidance to address unique student circumstances and promote growth. This is a 10-month position reporting to the Head of the Upper School and involves teaching two classes or equivalent co-curricular duties, depending on need and expertise.
Grounded in a sense of caring and community, Upper School students embrace academic challenges and dive deep into academic, artistic, and athletic pursuits that stimulate individual and collective growth. Students develop as empathetic, solution-oriented young adults who cultivate meaningful relationships, engage in service, and help amplify the voices of underrepresented groups. The grade-level dean system ensures that the unique needs of each grade are met and that students are recognized for their unique contributions to the community. The Upper School faculty, alongside the leadership team, work to foster community and develop student-centered and engaging experiences that enhance the joyful culture of the Upper School.
Working at Bullis means being a part of a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth and development. We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits that make it an ideal place to build a thriving career.
If you are passionate about education and want to make a difference in the lives of young individuals, we want to hear from you!
Duties & Qualifications
Essential Functions
General Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain professional and trustworthy relationships with students and families to ensure a successful Bullis experience
- Meet and work effectively with other grade-level Deans to communicate and ensure consistency between the 4 grades.
- Participate in Student Review Committee to communicate and create action plans for students of concern
- Teach one or two classes per trimester, or handling equivalent co-curricular duties
- Monitor lunch, snack and community-wide events that require adult presence
Student Guidance
- Build rapport with students through daily interactions, positive tone and modeling of Bullis’ core values
- Be responsible for oversight of student discipline and the fostering of good conduct
- Address community-wide issues of conduct, social climate, tone, respect, equity and inclusion through the development and execution of special programs and intervention with individual students
- Oversee daily student comportment including attendance, dress code and discipline in alignment with the Student Handbook
- Monitor student attendance and follow up with students and families
- Work with faculty on enforcing student comportment and dress code
- Work with faculty who oversee daily detention to ensure student follow-through
- Work with Conduct Review Board Moderator and student members of the CRB
- Discuss pending discipline cases with staff members, moderator and Head of Upper School
- Discuss disciplinary outcomes with the Associate Head and Head of School
- Meet with students and families regarding disciplinary outcomes
- Provide a timely and sensitive bridge between parents and the school and establish a cooperative working relationship
- Meet and work effectively with learning and counseling services to coordinate academic and emotional support for students
- Facilitate the transition of new students to the community; plan and participate in new student orientation events
Academics
- Oversight of academic progress of individual students to identify concerns and facilitate supports
- Support course selection process by serving as a resource for Course Selection Coaches
- Create professional and trustworthy relationships with Department Chairs, Learning Support, and faculty to ensure successful communication about individual student academic concerns
- With support from the Assistant Head for Academics and student support team, make faculty aware of student concerns and action plans
- Work with Arts and Athletics Directors to ensure students meet P.E. and activities requirements, including athletic eligibility.
Student Life
- Work with other grade-level Deans and US advisory team on 9-12 advising program
- Assign students to advisory groups
- Collaborate with US advisory team on advisor training, preparations for weekly advisory sessions and identification of themes/topics;
- Meet with grade-level advisors to facilitate discussion and execution of advisory curriculum
- Class Meetings & Activities
- Organize and plan productive and meaningful class meetings that encourage collaboration and communication
- Help plan and participate in grade-level experiential education trip
- Work with class representatives to define and fulfill their roles and responsibilities
- Works with class representatives and parent representatives to plan 2-3 class activities throughout the year to build class spirit and camaraderie
- Assist the class in planning elections for various positions
- Collaborate with US Dean of Student Life on US assemblies, dances and other activities such as Blue/Gold Festival and Spirit Week
Other Duties
- Other tasks as assigned by the Head of Upper School
- Partner with Parents Association Representatives to provide grade-level specific bonding opportunities
- Continued professional development endeavors
Qualities of an Upper School Dean
- An appreciation and respect for high school-aged students as learners and people, through challenging and joyful moments alike
- Commitment and knowledge to work with, teach, and lead groups of diverse individuals in respectful, equitable, and inclusive ways
- Good cheer, humor, and warmth, balanced by professionalism and sound judgment
- Detail-oriented, with the capacity to effectively and efficiently manage multiple tasks and demands on attention
- Excellent instincts and genuine care for students with particular attention to behavior, social connection and academic motivation
- Culturally responsive and emotionally intelligent communication skills with students and families
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- The ability to successfully collaborate with a broad range of community members to solve problems with logic and creativity
- The ability to make difficult decisions, even when unpopular, take responsibility and set boundaries in the face of persistent demands and concerns
Education and Experience
Required:
- Bachelor’s Degree
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree in Education or related field
- Minimum of five years experience working in a school, focus on students in grades 9-12
Compensation and benefits are competitive, with an anticipated annual salary range of $90,000 to $105,000
Benefits include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-provided basic life insurance
- Employer-provided short-term and long-term disability
- 401(k) employer match and safe harbor contribution, up to 7% of annual compensation
Salary : $90,000 - $105,000