Dean of Students

Purpose: At Leavenworth Public Schools, we believe that every student deserves a safe, welcoming, and supportive learning environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The Dean of Students serves as a certified teacher with additional leadership responsibilities focused on student attendance, behavior, engagement, and school climate. Working closely with building administration, the Dean of Students provides proactive student support, coordinates interventions, strengthens relationships with families, and helps ensure consistent implementation of school expectations while continuing to support high-quality instruction.

Reports To: Building Principal

Salary: Based on USD 453 Teacher Salary Schedule

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Valid Kansas State Teaching Certification for K-12 with appropriate endorsement(s) based on content and grade level.
• Minimum of five (5) years of successful classroom teaching experience.
• Demonstrated success in classroom management and building positive relationships with students and families
• Strong understanding of restorative practices, behavior interventions, MTSS, and student support systems preferred
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to adapt to a dynamic educational environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• 
  Instruction & Student Support: Provide high-quality instruction to assigned students, when applicable, by planning and delivering engaging, standards-aligned lessons that promote academic growth and student engagement. Maintain a positive, well-managed classroom environment that supports learning, establishes high expectations for behavior, and meets the diverse needs of students through differentiated instruction. Build strong relationships with students and families, monitor student progress, maintain required records, and collaborate with colleagues to implement appropriate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports. Utilize assessment data to guide instruction, participate in professional learning and school improvement initiatives, and fulfill all responsibilities expected of a certified classroom teacher. While teaching responsibilities may vary based on building needs, the Dean of Students remains committed to instructional excellence while balancing schoolwide leadership responsibilities that support student success, attendance, behavior, and positive school culture.

• Student Support, Attendance & Behavior: Provide proactive support for students experiencing attendance, behavioral, or engagement concerns through relationship-building, coaching, and intervention planning. Monitor attendance patterns, assist with truancy prevention efforts, conduct attendance follow-up with families, and coordinate appropriate interventions before concerns escalate. Maintain accurate documentation and communicate trends to building administration.

• Student Discipline & School Climate: Assist the building administration in implementing the school's student behavior expectations and Code of Conduct. Address routine student discipline matters, facilitate restorative conversations, monitor behavior plans, support conflict resolution, and follow up with students after disciplinary incidents to promote positive behavioral change. Help foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive school culture.

• Family Communication & Student Advocacy: Serve as a primary contact for families regarding attendance concerns, minor discipline issues, and student support needs. Conduct conferences with students, parents, and staff to develop collaborative solutions that improve student success. Connect families with school and community resources when appropriate.

• Intervention Coordination & Student Services: Collaborate with counselors, teachers, administrators, social workers, special education staff, and intervention teams to identify students needing additional behavioral, attendance, or social-emotional supports. Participate in Student Improvement Team (SIT), MTSS, and other student support meetings as assigned. Assist with implementation and monitoring of intervention plans.

• School Operations & Student Supervision: Assist with daily operational responsibilities including arrival and dismissal supervision, hallway monitoring, lunch supervision, common area management, and student transitions throughout the school day. Help triage routine student concerns and support efficient daily school operations while referring significant issues to building administration.

• Other Duties: Participate in school activities, events, and other district initiatives as assigned. Perform other duties as assigned by the administration to contribute to the success and culture of the school community.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:

• Ability to enter data into a computer, and to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids.
• Ability to hear and understand speech at normal classroom or office levels and on the telephone.
• Ability to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in normal classrooms, office spaces, and on the telephone.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach overhead, and perform other physical tasks related to classroom setup and activities.
• Physical agility to lift up to 25 pounds to shoulder height and 50 pounds to waist height as needed for classroom activities and student support.

General Responsibilities:

• Maintains a student-first focus at all times, ensuring a positive and productive learning experience.
• Works to develop and maintain effective, efficient, and student-centered instructional practices.
• Models positive professional attributes, including reliability, responsibility, and accountability.
• Adheres to all district policies, procedures, and ethical guidelines.
• Contributes to school and district initiatives, promoting a collaborative and inclusive school community.
• Keeps abreast of new information, teaching methods, and educational tools to enhance classroom effectiveness.

Duty Days: 186 Day Contract

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Board of Education’s policy on evaluation of certified staff.