Dean of the Class of 2025

Riverdale’s class deans are responsible for overseeing the academic and personal growth of an entire class of students (approximately 130 individuals) beginning in 9th grade. The dean stays with the class, shepherding them through their four years in Riverdale’s Upper School, and guiding them as they grow into young adults. The most important qualities of a dean are:

• Classroom teaching excellence;
• A desire to work closely with adolescents;
• The ability both to advocate for students and hold them accountable to high standards;
• A collaborative stance towards fellow administrators, department chairs, faculty, and parents;
• A passion for actively creating inclusive and equitable learning environments;
• The capacity to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable environment;
• Exquisite written and oral communication skills with attention to detail;
• A willingness to learn about aspects of the school and community with which they are not familiar;
• Patience, empathy, kindness, resilience, and a sense of humor.  

Duties of the dean include:

• Creating the program of study for each student for the four years of high school;

• Helping students discover and cultivate both academic and co-curricular interests taking into account a student’s strengths, opportunities at the school and planning for college;
• Setting the culture of the class through grade-level meetings, by working with teachers and advisors of the class, and through individual interactions;
• Partnering with families formally and informally to encourage student growth;
• Communicating thoughtfully and clearly with students, teachers, and parents, seeking to understand the perspectives of each;  
• Working closely with colleagues at the school including Administrative Assistants, Athletic Department, Community Engagement Team, College Counselors, Counselors, Department Chairs, Learning Resource Team, and Service Learning;
• Collaborating with the other grade-level deans, the Head of the Upper School, and the assistant division heads in the day-to-day operations and programming of the Upper School;
• Collaboratively determining and executing disciplinary responses when students violate school rules;
• Teaching two classes.  

Ideal Candidate:

Leaders at Riverdale Country School are expected to show competence in all domains outlined in the R+ Leadership Capacities.  The optimal candidate for this position will be successful at developing a positive school culture, especially during periods of change.  Our ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment in which they manage multiple priorities. All candidates for Riverdale teaching positions should demonstrate an interest in engaging students in an environment that is both supportive and rigorous.  Riverdale is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Interested candidates should apply for the position here no later than Tuesday, February 16.