Dean of Students (with Learning Support Coordination)

Dean of Students (with Learning Support Coordination)

Sussex School | Missoula, Montana

Position Overview

At Sussex School, we believe schools are communities first. The Dean of Students plays a critical leadership role in shaping a student culture rooted in belonging, accountability, and growth. This position is designed for an experienced, relational leader who believes deeply in progressive education, social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and inclusive learning support.

The Dean of Students works closely with Co-Heads of School, administration team, school counselor, teachers, and families to support the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally—while helping Sussex continue its journey toward a more just, student-centered, and progressive school experience.

This role blends systems-level thinking with daily, student-facing work. It requires someone who can hold complexity, build trust across stakeholder groups, and design structures that help young people learn from mistakes while remaining connected to community—while also ensuring that all learners receive the academic supports they need to thrive.

Reports To: Co-Head of School (Academics)

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 Annually

Core Purpose of the Role

To cultivate and sustain a healthy, inclusive student culture by:

• Centering social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and inclusive learning support
• Supporting students through proactive, relational, and developmentally responsive systems
• Partnering with educators and families to ensure students feel known, supported, and valued
• Strengthening school-wide systems that align discipline, care, accountability, and access to learning

Key Responsibilities

Student Culture & Well-Being

• Serve as a visible, trusted adult presence for students across divisions
• Advocate for students by designing systems that promote belonging, dignity, and growth
• Build authentic relationships with students that encourage honesty, help-seeking, and self-advocacy
• Support student leadership, voice, and agency in shaping school culture

Social-Emotional Learning & Restorative Practices

• Lead and continue to develop Sussex’s approach to discipline through a restorative, SEL-informed lens
• Support students and teachers in navigating conflict, harm, and repair with clarity and care
• Collaborate with school counselor and student support teams to align SEL goals, interventions, and practices
• Help faculty build shared language and practices around regulation, reflection, and accountability

Student Support Systems & Learning Support Coordination

• Coordinate and participate in regular student support meetings
• Serve as the point person for the coordination of learning support services across the school
• Maintain clear, confidential documentation related to student behavior, supports, accommodations, and follow-up
• Partner with division heads to respond to student concerns in a timely, consistent, and developmentally appropriate manner
• Collaborate with outside professionals (with family consent) to support students holistically
• Oversee the development, communication, and implementation of student accommodation plans (APs/ISPs), ensuring clarity for teachers and families
• Ensure accommodations are documented and shared with families in a timely manner (within two weeks of school start or mid-year transition)
• Support staff in implementing accommodations and differentiating instruction to meet diverse learner needs
• Observe students, review records, and support referral processes when learning or behavioral needs are identified
• Support or administer school-based assessments and screeners to inform instructional and support decisions
• Coordinate evaluation and service plan meetings, including scheduling and communication across stakeholders
• Attend and support all evaluation and service plan meetings
• Serve as a liaison with outside organizations (e.g., MCPS, therapists, counselors, psychologists), including attending meetings and gathering necessary information
• Complete and organize documentation related to referrals, evaluations, and services
• Support admissions conversations regarding prospective students with identified or suspected learning needs

Family Partnership & Communication

• Communicate with families in ways that are transparent, relational, and solutions-oriented
• Support families in understanding Sussex’s progressive approach to discipline, SEL, and learning support
• Guide families through learning support processes, including referrals, evaluations, and accommodations
• Build trust with caregivers, particularly in moments of challenge, growth, or repair

Faculty Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with educators to support positive, effective, inclusive, and differentiated classroom communities
• Provide guidance and coaching related to classroom culture, student behavior, and learning support strategies
• Support teachers in understanding and implementing accommodations and inclusive practices
• Collaborate across divisions to ensure alignment and consistency of student experience
• Serve on leadership teams and committees as assigned
• Supervise a group of teaching staff

Community Presence

• Support and attend school events, including arts, outdoor adventures, and community gatherings
• Help organize and support student leadership groups, councils, and community-building initiatives
• Contribute to crisis response planning, safety drills, and campus-wide preparedness

Teaching & Visibility (Optional / As Assigned)

• Teach up to one class or advisory to build relationships and maintain direct student connection

Professional Qualities We’re Looking For

You might be a strong fit if you:

• Believe discipline should teach, not punish
• Are deeply grounded in social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and inclusive education
• Understand the intersection of behavior, learning, and developmental needs
• Can balance empathy with clarity and follow-through
• Build trust through consistency, listening, and presence
• Are comfortable holding nuance, complexity, and strong emotions
• See mistakes as opportunities for growth—for students and adults
• Value collaboration over control
• Bring both warmth and steadiness to challenging situations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, counseling, special education, educational leadership, or related field preferred
• 5 years of experience working with middle and/or upper school students in an educational setting
• Demonstrated experience with restorative practices, SEL frameworks, and student support systems
• Experience coordinating or supporting learning accommodations, student support plans, or evaluation processes preferred
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
• High degree of cultural competency and commitment to equity and inclusion
• Comfort working across multiple stakeholder groups (students, families, faculty, administrators, outside providers)
• Proficiency with Google Workspace or similar systems

Work Environment & Expectations

• Full-time, in-person role during the academic year
• Salary Range: $60,000 - $75,000 Annually
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments for events and community presence
• Active participation in school life, including supervision duties and community events
• Limited travel for professional learning may be required

Why Sussex School?

Sussex is a progressive K–8 school in Missoula, Montana, grounded in the belief that education should be joyful, challenging, and deeply human. We value learner voice, interdisciplinary learning, the arts, outdoor education, and strong relationships. We are a school in motion—reflective, evolving, and committed to becoming better together. This role is not about maintaining the status quo. It’s for someone who wants to help build what school can be.

How to Apply

Please submit materials by Sunday, April 26th:

• A resume
• A cover letter explaining your interest in the Dean of Students role and your alignment with progressive education
• A brief reflection or example that illustrates your approach to SEL, restorative practice, or student support

Send application materials to employ@sussexschool.org.

Sussex School is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Pay: $60,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000 - $75,000