Early Childhood Dean (Education Director)

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.
Reporting to the Senior Director of Head Start, the Education Director (posted as Early Childhood Dean) serves as the lead for one of DREAM’s Head Start Early Childhood sites, and is responsible for the full implementation of all aspects of DREAM’s Head Start Early Childhood program at their location. The Education Director collaborates with other leaders, teachers, Network staff, and school support staff, to ensure high quality curriculum & program implementation that meet the needs of all students. The Education Director will also be responsible for supporting school-based staff with operational information systems, maintaining and analyzing operational data, supporting student recruitment and enrollment, supporting and managing special projects, and coordinating on network-wide initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative leader who enjoys working closely with teachers and other leaders to drive student outcomes while sharing evidence-based pedagogical practices.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership
• Ensure high-quality implementation of program design, including curriculum implementation, health and safety requirements, personnel administration and supervision, and family and community engagement;
• Lead the Head Start location in continuous improvement of programs and systems, including the development and implementation of school improvement plans to meet key performance indicators;
• Contribute to the development of a rigorous curriculum, including a vertical scope and sequence aligned to national standards, through creation of assessments, unit plans, and lesson plans, as needed;
• Set and maintain high expectations and standards for quality teaching and learning that align with mission and organizational culture;
• Ensure all children’s individual health, nutrition, disabilities or mental health needs are met, coordinating with appropriate teammates and service providers;
• Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others to successfully manage organizational change;
• Lead for the good of the entire organization, understand the big picture and use it as a framework to make decisions.
 
• Team Leadership
• Directly supervise site staff and provide, training, coaching, and support for quality improvement and professional growth through regular observation feedback, ensuring program meets all standards established by DREAM, in compliance with Head Start standards and best practices;
• Work closely with classroom teachers and Network and school leadership to plan instruction, analyze student work, and ensure continuity between classroom and intervention work for students with special needs;
• Regularly review lesson plans, observe teachers & support staff, and provide staff with timely, high leverage, actionable feedback;
• Directly support the work of recruiting, selecting, and onboarding a high-performing team of teachers and support staff.
 
• Family Partnerships
• Supervise the Family Services team to ensure full implementation of family communications and services;
• Model strong, positive relationships with families;
• Design, implement, and evaluate Family Engagement activities and events;
• Assist teaching staff in developing a system offering families opportunities for enhancing and increasing their child observation skills;
• Participate in team meetings, home visits, and community events as needed.
 
• Data
• Establish performance goals for instructional staf