What are the responsibilities and job description for the Upper School Grade Dean position at The Blake School?
Job Description
The Blake School seeks an Upper School grade dean to provide leadership, guidance and support to all students and families in their assigned grade. The dean serves as the grades primary resource, overseeing the coherence and successful integration of all components of the student experience at Blake. Deans are part of a larger institutional administrative structure that works to live out the mission, values and vision of the school.
This dean will begin with a new class of tenth grade students and remain with them through their graduation. For the 2025-26 school year, this position will be for our senior class; the dean will then cycle through to a new group of tenth graders the following year.
For this role, we seek
An Innovator
A strong candidate will
use creative solution-based thinking and seek new opportunities for student engagement. They will actively seek professional development opportunities and will be reflective, open to feedback and eager for professional collaboration.
actively look for opportunities to serve every student and recognize the individuality of each student.
A Collaborator
A strong candidate will
be comfortable facilitating a group of peers in grade-level meetings aimed at evolving an advisory curriculum that is developmentally timely and designed for student well-being and social-emotional and academic skill-building.
be a strong team member and contributor in administrative teams that convene to support institutional vision and mission.
An Expert
A strong candidate will
see the opportunities and challenges inherent in working with adolescents and will eagerly embrace both.
have familiarity with adolescents' developmental growth and maturity to design responsive advisory curricula.
will be able to navigate the tension between student advocacy and empowering students to use their voices appropriately to navigate challenges that are typical of adolescents in this setting.
A Culture-Builder
A strong candidate will
be fully committed to meeting both academic and social-emotional needs of students.
enthusiastically continue to evolve our advisory program.
possess an understanding of and commitment to modeling and teaching intercultural competence
demonstrate the ability to understand and bridge diverse perspectives, identities and lived experiences and empower students to engage across di?erences.
be committed to equitable practices.
A Professional
A strong candidate will
possess curiosity and continue to develop knowledge of content, curriculum and best practices in teaching and learning
possess strong communication skills and the ability to deftly navigate between communication appropriate to students, families and colleagues.
Required Experience
Essential Responsibilities
Student Facing
Bachelors degree
The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling 1,316 bright, talented students from nearly 56 Twin Cities-area communities. Founded in 1900, The Blake School has the advantage of facilities and campuses designed for specific developmental ages. Blake's mission is to engage students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and a common set of values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as community and global citizens. The school community is also guided by its Commitment to Pluralism and values.
The Blake School believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals and communities. Diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, geography, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and marital, parental or economic status forms the fabric of our society. As a result of these beliefs, The Blake School actively seeks students, families and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission. In doing so, we recognize our responsibility to help make each person's experience a success. EOE
Keyword: dean
The Blake School seeks an Upper School grade dean to provide leadership, guidance and support to all students and families in their assigned grade. The dean serves as the grades primary resource, overseeing the coherence and successful integration of all components of the student experience at Blake. Deans are part of a larger institutional administrative structure that works to live out the mission, values and vision of the school.
This dean will begin with a new class of tenth grade students and remain with them through their graduation. For the 2025-26 school year, this position will be for our senior class; the dean will then cycle through to a new group of tenth graders the following year.
For this role, we seek
An Innovator
A strong candidate will
use creative solution-based thinking and seek new opportunities for student engagement. They will actively seek professional development opportunities and will be reflective, open to feedback and eager for professional collaboration.
actively look for opportunities to serve every student and recognize the individuality of each student.
A Collaborator
A strong candidate will
be comfortable facilitating a group of peers in grade-level meetings aimed at evolving an advisory curriculum that is developmentally timely and designed for student well-being and social-emotional and academic skill-building.
be a strong team member and contributor in administrative teams that convene to support institutional vision and mission.
An Expert
A strong candidate will
see the opportunities and challenges inherent in working with adolescents and will eagerly embrace both.
have familiarity with adolescents' developmental growth and maturity to design responsive advisory curricula.
will be able to navigate the tension between student advocacy and empowering students to use their voices appropriately to navigate challenges that are typical of adolescents in this setting.
A Culture-Builder
A strong candidate will
be fully committed to meeting both academic and social-emotional needs of students.
enthusiastically continue to evolve our advisory program.
possess an understanding of and commitment to modeling and teaching intercultural competence
demonstrate the ability to understand and bridge diverse perspectives, identities and lived experiences and empower students to engage across di?erences.
be committed to equitable practices.
A Professional
A strong candidate will
possess curiosity and continue to develop knowledge of content, curriculum and best practices in teaching and learning
possess strong communication skills and the ability to deftly navigate between communication appropriate to students, families and colleagues.
Required Experience
Essential Responsibilities
Student Facing
- Serving as the main administrative point person for all grade concerns
- Providing support to students in the grade in academic and co-curricular activities
- Managing the transition of students new to the Upper School
- Organizing grade retreats and other grade-level events
- Helping students plan their academic schedule, ensuring that each individuals program is appropriate and meets school requirements for graduation
- Coordinating and communicating disciplinary action
- Facilitating communication between parents and faculty
- Leading a committee of grade-level advisors and overseeing the implementation of our advisory curriculum
- Collecting and reviewing faculty reports on students and coordinating support services
- Working with the registrar to handle requests for schedule changes and other scheduling-related concerns
- Serving as a member of the Upper School administrative team, which entails supervising budgets, reviewing upholding policies and procedures, fostering a positive climate in division and at school events, and assuming other responsibilities as assigned by the director
- Sitting on the Upper School Admissions Committee
- Teaching one or two classes per semester or handling equivalent co-curricular duties
Bachelors degree
- At least three years of teaching experience in a high school setting
- Ability and sensitivity to address and relate to the unique developmental and social-emotional needs of adolescents
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with supervisors, colleagues and parents
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills and organizational skills
The Blake School is a pre-kindergarten through grade 12, co-educational, nonsectarian, independent day school enrolling 1,316 bright, talented students from nearly 56 Twin Cities-area communities. Founded in 1900, The Blake School has the advantage of facilities and campuses designed for specific developmental ages. Blake's mission is to engage students with a dynamic, academically challenging education in a diverse and supportive community committed to pluralism and a common set of values. Students pursue an integrated program of academic, artistic and athletic activities, preparing for college, lifelong learning and purposeful lives as community and global citizens. The school community is also guided by its Commitment to Pluralism and values.
The Blake School believes that a diverse society enriches all individuals and communities. Diversity of race, ethnicity, national origin, geography, religion, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and marital, parental or economic status forms the fabric of our society. As a result of these beliefs, The Blake School actively seeks students, families and employees who value and contribute to the fullness of a diverse community within the context of its mission. In doing so, we recognize our responsibility to help make each person's experience a success. EOE
Keyword: dean
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