Please use this link to view the Dean of Student Life & Culture Opportunity Statement and to apply.

Please address any questions by email to julie@strategenius.org or by phone at 415-881-7105.

The Waverly School seeks a Dean of Student Life and Culture for the 2023- 2024 academic year. This senior administrative role reports to the Head of School and will be in upholding Waverly’s commitment to progressive pedagogy and social justice education. This highly collaborative role requires discretion, patience, empathy and desire to work closely with students, teachers and parents. The dean serves as a leader in guiding equitable practices in the classroom and beyond. The dean mentoring students and developing culture for grades 7-12. They will be a skilled DEIJB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice & Belonging) practitioner and has demonstrated high levels of emotional intelligence and can work with a diverse range of learners. The dean guides major student activities such as all school meetings, clubs, Student Council and will help relaunch the affinity group program.

This role requires prior leadership experience in a dean or division-level leadership capacity or demonstrated experience of a similar nature. A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to deal with multiple projects simultaneously and address short term and long-term projects in collaboration with other school leaders, board members, teachers and students. The dean will also teach at least one class and support the development of social justice curriculum and programming that serves grades 7-12. The individual is expected to maintain clear communication with all students and families. The dean is also responsible for managing student discipline issues at school and will partner closely with faculty, students and family to create equitable and fair practices at school while fostering a community of empathy, respect and care.

Coordination:

• MS & HS weekly All School Meetings
• MS & HS clubs & affinity spaces
• Classroom student behavioral expectations
• Student Council Leader

Oversight:

• Co-design and lead outdoor education trips and experiences
• Manage student disciplinary procedures, with documentation and record keeping
• Co-lead and support restorative practices and community restoration processes
• Partner with division directors to develop and manage advisory programming

Program and event management:

• Support the development of social justice curriculum and programming
• Student advisory leadership team
• MS & HS Advisory Program, specific to DEIJ programming and education (in collaboration with teaching team)
• Student dances and other social events
• 6^th to 7^th grade transitions and 8^th to 9^th transitions
• Work with faculty in developing curricula specifically geared to help all students find their place in the struggle for social justice and equity.

Participation:

• Leadership team meetings
• Middle and high school student support team meetings
• Middle and high school faculty meetings
• All School Faculty Meetings

Other responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

• Upholding the mission of the school and supporting the school’s DEIJB work
• Supporting admissions work as needed
• Attending school events as needed 

Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain and model kind and firm boundaries
• Experience and evidence of passion for progressive education
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated understanding of lesson design, use of rubrics and narrative-based assessment practices

Desired Qualities

• Working knowledge of Spanish, Mandarin, Armenian or Hindi

Physical Demands and Abilities:

• Work in person, on campus
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Regularly spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers.
• Must be able to stand, lift, push, pull, stoop and bend for short periods of time.
• Regularly work on repetitive tasks.
• Frequently bend to file and maintain files.
• Occasionally lift 15-45 pounds.

Other requirements:

• Initial and continued employment background investigation required – fingerprints via Live Scan
• Initial and continued TB Assessment required for employment in CA schools

About The Waverly School

Waverly is a progressive, coeducational, college preparatory school in Pasadena, CA, serving students and their families from preschool through 12th grade. Established in 1993, Waverly fosters lifelong learning in a child-centered and intellectually challenging environment. With nearly 350 students, Waverly offers an exceptional faculty, thoughtful programs, and expressive students within three adjacent campuses. Its one-acre farm is within walking distance. Waverly is economically diverse and culturally rich; our families live in many Los Angeles area neighborhoods. The Waverly School is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of The Alliance, POCIS, and A Better Chance. The school is in walking distance from the Metro L (Gold) Line Del Mar station. EEO Statement: The Waverly School is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination based on the race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, transgender, transsexualism, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, primary language, mil...itary or veteran status, physical handicap, disability, medical condition, mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, ancestry, or based on any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

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Connections working at The Waverly School