Dean of School Climate and Culture
Elizabeth Seton High School (ESHS) is a Catholic, secondary, college preparatory school for young women founded in 1959 by the Daughters of Charity. Located in Prince George’s County, a close suburb of Washington, DC, the school attracts students from surrounding counties and the District of Columbia. Elizabeth Seton is committed to providing students with an integrated program that stresses moral values, academic excellence, civic responsibility, and community service. The community reflects a broad ethnic, cultural, and economic diversity contributing to the rich learning environment. For more information about the school, including our guiding principles, please visit www.setonhs.org.
Job Summary
This role involves overseeing student life and addressing student behavior. The Dean of School Climate and Culture plays an important role in creating a positive and supportive environment for students while ensuring adherence to school policies and standards.The Dean of School Climate and Culture also serves as an equity-driven leader responsible for ensuring all staff and students are valued, respected, and included in building a school culture of belonging and well-being.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Student Well-being Functions:
Monitor and address the overall well-being of students, identifying and addressing factors that may impact their mental, emotional, or social health.
Oversee the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date attendance records
Advocate for the well-being of students, ensuring that disciplinary actions are fair, consistent, and aimed at helping students grow and learn from their mistakes.
Collaborate with counselors and other support services to ensure a holistic approach to student well-being.
Ensure that students are aware of and adhere to ESHS’ code of conduct and disciplinary policies.
Implement and enforce consequences for violations of school rules.
Keep lines of communication open so that students have an ear and an advocate, when appropriate.
Investigate incidents of misconduct, disruptive behavior, or other disciplinary issues.
Collect and evaluate evidence, interview involved parties, and make fair and informed decisions regarding disciplinary actions.
Provide support and guidance to students displaying challenging behaviors, focusing on fostering personal growth and positive change.
Collaborate with teachers, parents, and other school staff to develop intervention strategies for students with recurring disciplinary problems.
Collaborate with teachers and administrators to ensure a consistent approach to discipline across ESHS.
Maintain accurate and confidential records of disciplinary incidents and actions taken.
Work with teachers to integrate character education and positive behavior reinforcement into the curriculum.
Respond to and manage crises or emergencies related to student behavior.
Implement a school-wide behavior management system with meaningful incentives and consequences.
Conduct regular school culture walkthroughs to help staff maintain a high bar of excellence.
Supervise the consistent and fair administration of school policies regarding student conduct and discipline.
2. ESHS Climate and Culture Functions:
Work to create an environment that values diversity and inclusion. Implement programs and initiatives that celebrate and embrace the cultural, ethnic, and individual differences within the school community.
Develop and implement strategies to create a positive, inclusive, and supportive school culture.
Foster a sense of community and pride among students, staff, and parents.
Encourage student involvement in extracurricular activities, clubs, and events that contribute to a positive school climate.
Develop initiatives to engage students in promoting a positive and respectful atmosphere.
Address and resolve conflicts among students, staff, or parents in a fair and constructive manner.
Provide training and professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills in promoting a positive school culture.
Communicate regularly with parents about school climate initiatives and involve them in relevant activities.
Collect and analyze data related to school climate and culture.
Provide leadership in promoting ESHS’ vision and mission related to climate and culture.
QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES:
Bachelor’s degree in education, education administration/leadership, counseling, psychology, or a related field, Masters preferred.
Relevant professional experience in education required. This could include teaching experience, counseling experience, or other roles that involve working with students.
Training in counseling, behavior management, or intervention strategies desired.
Maintaining certification in CPR and First Aid.
Ability to engage with various stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, and the broader community.
Ability to contribute to crisis management and decision-making during challenging situations.
Understanding of educational principles, trends, and challenges, with the ability to contribute valuable insights to academic discussions preferred.
Commitment to the mission and values of ESHS.
Strong adherence to ethical conduct and integrity, maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
Elizabeth Seton High School, an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in the administration of its employment practices.