Middle School Academic Dean

Primary Purpose:

Improve student achievement by providing programmatic curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning aligned to the campus academic program. Lead department staff with instructional coaching, model teaching, and designing of targeted intervention group instruction based on data analysis. Provides students with appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to help them fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.

Minimum Qualifications:

 Education/Certification

• Master’s Degree In educational administration, content area, or curriculum and instruction preferred.
•  5 years of teaching and/or administrator experience.
•  Valid Texas standard principal or mid-management certification required.T-TESS Certification required (or obtain within 90 days of employment)
•  Candidates must have a satisfactory outcome of a fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

Experience:

• Previous experience in educational leadership, preferably in a middle school setting.
• Strong understanding of curriculum development, instructional strategies, and assessment practices.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions to improve student outcomes.
• Skill in presenting information to, training, and supporting a variety of stakeholders in small and large group settings
• Skill in organizing/interpreting/analyzing data and applying concepts to resolve problems and develop solutions.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously and independently to meet deadlines.

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Professionalism 

The Educators’ Code of Ethics is set forth in the Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.  

• Rule 247.1 Purpose and Scope: Definitions
• Rule 247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators 

Instructional Leadership and Curriculum Development

The administrator promotes academic improvements by assisting the campus principal by: 

• Demonstrating deep knowledge of curriculum, including the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), and effective pedagogy across content areas.
• Leads planning, implementation, and evaluation of district curriculum, including College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) and special programs.
• Providing instructional leadership through classroom observations, co-teaching, instructional coaching, and data-informed feedback to improve teacher practice and student outcomes.
• Facilitating and participating in PLCs to drive actionable feedback and professional collaboration focused on student achievement.
• Overseeing campus curriculum implementation with an emphasis on differentiation, accommodations, and alignment to student needs.
• Planning and delivering high-impact professional development aligned to campus, department, and district goals.
• Supervising and supporting instructional coaches, interventionists, and department chairs to ensure cohesive and strategic instructional support.
• Setting clear expectations, monitors the effectiveness of coaching and intervention efforts, and ensures alignment with campus improvement goals.
• Coordinating instructional support schedules and fosters collaboration across departments to promote consistency in instructional practices.
• Collaborating with district departments (Curriculum, Bilingual/ESL/Migrant, Student Disability Services, CCMR) to promote best practices and coordinate services for diverse learners.
• Supporting master scheduling and student placement to ensure alignment with graduation requirements and post-secondary readiness goals.
• Utilizing data from assessments and student work to inform instructional decisions and improve academic outcomes.
• Maintaining effective communication with staff, students, parents, and the community, ensuring professionalism and confidentiality at all times.
• Complying with district, state, and federal policies and ensures timely submission of required reports and documentation.
• Participating in campus meetings and serving on committees as required.
• Modeling and promoting the use of technology to enhance instruction and student learning.
• Designing and implementing instruction that meets diverse student learning styles and is aligned to state and district expectations.

Student Academic Support

The administrator promotes student academic improvements by:

• Identifying and monitoring students in need of academic intervention or acceleration, and coordinating targeted supports.
• Collaborating with teachers and instructional staff to design and implement tiered academic interventions.
• Facilitating the use of data to create academic support plans for struggling students and monitor progress.
• Leading or supporting programs such as tutoring, after-school academic support, Saturday school, or enrichment.
• Working cooperatively with special education teachers to modify and accommodate curricula as needed for special education students according to guidelines established in Individual Education Plans (IEP). 
• Conducts ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal assessments.

Assessment and Data Analysis

The administrator supports campus assessment and data analysis by:

• Monitor and analyze student assessment data to identify trends, inform instruction, and close achievement gaps.
• Lead data-driven PLCs and data meetings to guide instructional decision-making.
• Develop systems for progress monitoring, including formative assessments and student growth tracking.
• Support campus-wide efforts to build teacher capacity in using assessment data to adjust instruction.
• Support campus administrators and teachers in analyzing campus, district, state, and national assessment data, facilitates the process of implementing data-based instructional decisions, and creating ongoing intervention strategies and student groups based on formative data 

Organization Management

The administrator supports organizational management by:

• Assisting with developing a campus budget relating to departmental needs, staff development, curriculum, instructional delivery, and assessment. 
• Performing other related duties as assigned within the appropriate skill and experience capabilities expected for this position.

School Climate and Culture

The administrator fosters a positive and inclusive school culture by:

• Strong communication, public relations, and interpersonal skills 
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail and able to manage multiple tasks an
• Assessing and implementing strategies to improve the school and district environment.
• Recognizing and reinforcing excellence among staff and students.
• Creating a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment.
• Utilizing effective and transparent communication.

Continuous Improvement

The administrator leads efforts to enhance school performance by:

• Collaborating on a shared vision for school improvement.
• Encouraging innovation to improve student outcomes.
• Ensuring ongoing review and refinement of curriculum, policies, and instructional methods.
• Collaborating on a shared vision for school improvement.
• Encouraging innovation to improve student outcomes.
• Ensuring ongoing review and refinement of curriculum, policies, and instructional methods.

     Communication and Community Engagement

The administrator strengthens school-community partnerships by:

• Promoting collaboration among students, staff, families, and community stakeholders.
• Clearly communicating the school’s mission, goals, and needs.
• Advocating for school programs and securing community support.
• Actively participating in community initiatives to build strong relationships.

Professional Growth and Development

The administrator models a commitment to continuous learning by:

• Engaging in professional development to enhance leadership and instructional practices.
• Leading data-driven, research-based professional learning aligned with district and campus priorities.
• Actively participating in professional organizations and sharing best practices.
• Using feedback and evaluation data to improve performance.

Ethical Leadership & Compliance

The administrator demonstrates integrity and accountability through:

• Upholding professional, ethical, and responsible behavior.
• Ensuring compliance with district, state, and federal laws, policies, and procedures.
• Maintaining confidentiality and adhering to board policies and professional standards.
• Leading with transparency, collaboration, and ethical decision-making.
• Overseeing safety and security measures to create a secure school environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises and evaluates the performance of staff assigned to campus including teacher(s), counselor(s), librarian, instructional aides and clerical support staff.

Equipment:

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, teacher resource materials and equipment, printer, copier, scanner, fax and other equipment applicable to the position.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: 

• Maintains emotional control under stress.
• Works with frequent interruptions.
• Works irregular hours and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends.
• Frequent walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling and pushing.
• Occasional lifting and carrying; may lift and move text books and classroom equipment.
• May be required under specific circumstances to provide physical restraint of students in danger of causing harm to themselves or others.
• Occasional district wide and statewide travel.
• Use a computer for prolonged periods resulting in repetitive hand motion.
• Frequent exposure to: temperature extremes (hot and cold), humidity extremes, noise, low or intense illumination vibration.
• Occasional exposure to: biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, etc.), work outside, work around moving objects or vehicles, work on uneven surfaces. 

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Salary : $50