Dean of Culture

Organizational Overview:

KIPP Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college-preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Atlanta currently operates 11 schools including five primary schools, six middle schools and one high school, as well as KIPP Forward which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life. We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars. 

What We Value:

• Good Decision-Making: “I make thoughtful decisions in alignment with my school’s and organization’s values.”

• Peer Accountability: “I hold all Big KIPPsters accountable to our schools’ and organization’s values, standards, and expectations.”

• Excellence Always: “I do all aspects of my work with excellence - the big and the little things, the parts being monitored as well as those not monitored.”

• Communication is Key: “I communicate with both honesty and love. How I communicate nurtures courage, belonging, partnership, and progress toward our promise to KIPPsters and families.”

• Scholars Over Everything: “I put our scholars first, 100% of the time, without fail. I quickly resolve any and all adult-centered concerns and qualms to reserve my individual and our collective time and attention for our KIPPsters.”

• Walk Trumps Talk: “I chose this social justice career. And so, I behave in alignment with my choice. My behaviors match our promise to our scholars and families.”

• “Us” Only: “I belong to every member of our organization, and every member of our organization belongs to me. I choose unity always - in both the good times and hard times.”

Job Summary:

The Dean of Culture leads the schoolwide PBIS-aligned culture and behavior system and provides culture coaching to ensure a safe, joyful, and structured learning environment. The Dean oversees school-based behavior investigations and incident response, supports implementation of CSTAG-aligned threat assessment protocols, and serves as a key school-based responder for reports of Title IX actions by ensuring immediate safety supports, high-quality documentation, and timely routing to the designated Title IX point of contact/Coordinator per KIPP Atlanta process. The Dean uses data to reduce instructional loss, improve climate, and ensure discipline practices align with federal, Georgia, and local requirements, including student rights and due process.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leads school-based behavior investigations (as assigned), ensuring timely fact-finding, objective documentation, evidence integrity, and consistent application of school policy and student rights.

• Implements CSTAG-aligned threat assessment protocols with school leadership and Scholar Support: triage, documentation, safety planning, and follow-up monitoring.

• Responds to reports of harassment/sexual misconduct by ensuring immediate safety supports, preserving documentation, and routing to the designated Title IX point of contact/Coordinator per organizational process.

• Coordinates re-entry and safety plans following serious incidents (fights, threats, harassment), including family conferences, support plans, and monitoring.

• Maintains confidential incident records and ensures need-to-know communication protocols are followed.

• Leads implementation of PBIS-aligned Tier 1 culture systems (expectations, teaching matrices, routines, reinforcement/acknowledgements, and consistent responses) aligned to KIPP values.

• Develops and monitors PBIS fidelity measures across classrooms and common spaces (walkthrough tools, calibration routines, staff feedback loops).

• Designs proactive culture systems that reduce disruption and maximize time on learning (arrival/dismissal, transitions, cafeteria, hallways, electives).

• Maintains a culture dashboard (referrals, removals, time out of instruction, suspension patterns, repeat incidents, attendance/engagement signals) and uses trends to deploy prevention and supports.

• Ensure consistent implementation of restorative practices and discipline protocols.

• Leads tiered behavior supports aligned to MTSS (Tier 1 prevention supports, Tier 2 targeted plans, Tier 3 intensive supports), including re-entry plans and progress monitoring.

• Partners with MTSS Coordinator and Scholar Support team to align behavior plans with academic/SEL supports and ensure intervention fidelity

• Responds to urgent behavior incidents using de-escalation and safety protocols; documents incidents and follow-up actions; and coordinates supports to reduce recurrence.

• Ensures disciplinary actions follow school policy and legal requirements, including due process expectations and consistent documentation.

• Partners with AP Scholar Support to ensure discipline decisions consider protections for students with disabilities (IDEA/504) and required procedural steps when applicable.

• Maintains discipline and culture dashboards and leads regular data reviews with school leadership to drive corrective actions.

• Tracks disproportionality and implements equity-centered adjustments (calibration, systems changes, targeted supports).

• Monitors PBIS fidelity and reports progress against culture goals.

  • Measures of Success

    • PBIS fidelity (Tier 1 expectations taught, reinforced, and consistently applied; walkthrough/fidelity indicators)

    • Reduced instructional loss due to behavior (time out of class, removals, suspensions)

    • Reduction in repeat incidents and improved re-entry outcomes

    • Investigation quality and timeliness (objective documentation, completion timelines, minimal rework)

    • CSTAG protocol fidelity (timely triage, documentation, safety plans implemented and monitored)

    • Appropriate Title IX routing and documentation (timeliness/completeness per internal process)

    • Reduced disproportionality in discipline outcomes through calibrated implementation and supports

• Coach teachers on classroom management, relationship-building, and restorative practices.

• Support consistent application of behavior expectations across classrooms and spaces.

• Partner with school leadership to plan culture-focused professional development.

• Calibrates staff on behavior definitions, referral thresholds, and classroom-managed vs. office-managed behaviors to ensure consistency and reduce disproportionality.

• Trains staff on explicit teaching of routines/expectations and reinforcement systems aligned to PBIS.

• Executes coaching follow-through cycles (observe → feedback → practice → re-observe) to strengthen classroom management and reduce avoidable removals.

• Communicates with families regarding behavior concerns and plans using timely, respectful, and documented communication practices; ensures families understand supports, expectations, and next steps.

• Facilitates restorative conferences and re-entry meetings that include clear agreements, supports, and follow-up cadence.

• Build trust with families through transparent and respectful communication.

Candidate Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree

• Valid Georgia educator certification (or eligibility to obtain)

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in education

• Demonstrated experience leading schoolwide culture/behavior systems (PBIS, restorative practices, or comparable framework) and using data to improve climate outcomes.

• Demonstrated record of improving school culture outcomes and leading adults to consistent implementation of behavior expectations and routines.

Preferred

• Experience conducting student behavior investigations, writing incident reports with strong documentation integrity, and implementing CSTAG-aligned threat assessment processes (or comparable threat assessment framework).

• Experience working within compliance-sensitive environments (Title IX routing/response expectations, student rights/due process, and IDEA/504 discipline protections in partnership with Scholar Support).

• Experience leading with Restorative Practices, PBIS, or other frameworks

• Experience leading in a K–8 or turnaround environment

• Strong data analysis, coaching, and change management skills

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation is competitive and aligned with KIPP Atlanta Schools’ leadership salary bands. The salary range for this role is $75,000–$120,000 and is based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Most new hires are placed in the lower to mid-range of the salary range. Placement near the top of the range is uncommon at hire and reserved for individuals who exceed role qualifications through depth of expertise, leadership maturity, and proven results leading complex initiatives with sustained, organization-level impact. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health insurance, retirement options, paid time off, and professional development opportunities. 

KIPP Atlanta Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 15 days of Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays 

• Comprehensive health insurance (medical and dental), life insurance and optional short and long term disability

• Counseling and Telehealth Options

• Paid Parental Leave 

• Participation in Georgia retirement plan and an optional 403(b) retirement plan.

Location & Work Conditions:

This position requires:

• Regular presence on campus, including classrooms and common areas, and participation in required regional meetings.

• This position requires routine physical activity associated with normal office environments. 

• This position may require the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including evenings and occasional weekends

• Ability to engage in school-based activities requiring standing, walking, and mobility

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit an application online.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

KIPP Atlanta Schools is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Salary : $75,000 - $120,000