Job Summary: Reporting to the Associate Head of School, the Dean of Instruction and Educator Culture (DoI&EC) will be a leader of curriculum design and instructional practice at Geffen Academy. The DoI&EC’s primary responsibilities will include the creation and delivery of highly effective professional development and instructional coaching for classroom educators. The DoI&EC will promote an inspiring vision for educational excellence, aligned with the School’s mission and vision, with all members of the School and the Senior Leadership Team. They will be responsible for ensuring that the curriculum, teaching and assessment practices inspire high levels of engagement, achievement and progress for students of all abilities.

The Dean of Instruction and Educator Culture will promote active classrooms that are alive with discovery, problem solving, challenge, and collaboration. They will motivate instructional personnel to ensure that each Geffen Academy student receives an education that is goal focused, rigorous, and balanced so that high expectations and humane practices are reflected in the classroom. Further, the DoI&EC will work with the School leadership team to set the direction for the instructional framework and pedagogical approach that creates classrooms filled with learning, challenge, and joy for students and Educators alike.

Essential Duties:
Duties of the Dean of Instruction and Educator Culture shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Instructional Leadership:

• In partnership with School leadership, determine yearly instructional priorities and lead instructional improvement, curriculum design, and professional development initiatives.
• Teach one section of a class in order to maintain close relationships with students and to implement and model best instructional practices for classroom educators.
• Create, curate, and facilitate weekly and full-day professional development sessions for classroom educators.
• Apply research-based best practices in instruction and ethical leadership to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality instruction across a 6-12 continuum.
• Regularly analyze quantitative and qualitative data, including assessments, reflections, and student work to inform progress towards achievement of school wide learning goals and desired instructional practices.
• In partnership with School leadership, work in collaboration with UCLA leadership and the UCLA Consortium of Infant-K-12 schools, as well as other local school networks and community partners, to promote shared learning and student achievement beyond Geffen Academy.

2. School Leader and Classroom Educator Collaboration:

• In partnership with School leadership, contribute to school improvement efforts by monitoring the progress of school performance, student achievement objectives and academic excellence indicators that are aligned to Geffen Academy’s mission and strategic goals.
• Meet regularly with members of the School Leadership Team to discuss matters related to educator professional development (internal and external), educator goal-setting and progress monitoring, and schoolwide curricular/instructional goals.
• Observe instruction regularly and meet consistently with classroom educators to discuss their curricular and instructional goals.
• Work regularly with Learning Specialists, Academic Deans and Department Chairs to ensure educators can provide all students with appropriate instruction.
• Contribute to the improvement and continuation of supportive and positive conditions that enable educators to provide rigorous, authentic, innovative, and personalized experiences for all students.
• Model expectations for leaders, classroom educators, and students on school wide practices for creating a positive learning culture.
• Provide council and thought partnership to educators to strengthen collaboration and conflict management skills with colleagues and managers.
• Provide written and oral reports on academic accountability to various stakeholders (i.e. Advisory Council, Leadership Team, Educators, Parents/Caretakers, and Community Partners).
• Contribute to and participate in school community and student life programming.
• Serve as a thought partner and collaborator in matters related to school culture, including student behavior in the classroom, and recognition of student and educator achievement.

3. Coaching and Support:

• Design, manage and participate in the Educator observation process that provides regular, actionable feedback so that classroom educators meet or exceed expectations for high quality instruction while continuing to grow their practice.
• Coach 6-10 classroom educators each year in areas that align with school and individual goals.
• Build the capacity of Educators to implement inclusive and differentiated practices that meet the needs of all students.
• Support Educators as they develop instructional practices aligned with the school’s Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Develop and oversee Performance Improvement Plans as part of the Observation and Evaluation process to support the professional growth of educators as needed.