What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dean of Culture position at Utopian Academy for the Arts?
About Us
The Utopian Network is built around 4 schools. Elementary, Flagship Middle, Middle at Trilith, and High. Utopian Academy for the Arts Elementary School is a premier performing arts school in Clayton County, GA. Our school has entertainment industry partnerships and a rich curriculum that supports the growth and development of the whole child as an artist, a leader, and a life-long learner. In fact, we refer to our students as scholars and have high expectations for their behavior and progress in the classroom. Industry partnerships include the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Music Project, KidNation, and Trilith Studios. Utopian Academy for the Arts Middle School offers a proven academic foundation and creative pipeline that equips scholars for success in high school, college, thriving arts careers, and lifelong achievement. We pride ourselves on thinking outside of the box to cultivate the full potential of our young creatives. At Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trilith, creativity isn’t a class—it’s a way of life. Utopian Academy at Trilith is an arts-based public charter middle school, serving scholars in grades 6th–8th with a statewide attendance zone. Rooted in academic excellence and powered by the Creative Digital Arts, Utopian Academy at Trilith blends rigorous core instruction with an arts-integrated curriculum that sparks imagination and innovation. At Utopian Academy for the Arts High School, excellence isn’t an aspiration - it’s the standard we rehearse every day. As Georgia’s only tuition-free public charter high school with a fully integrated arts curriculum, we empower scholars to thrive academically, artistically, and professionally.
Our Belief
Our greatest instructional strategy is our human capital. More than any other variable in education - more than curriculum or supplies - our faculty and staff matter. Effective administration and teachers who are continually learning and setting high expectations are the key to student academic achievement and success. At Utopian Academy for the Arts School, we believe that students will rise to meet the high expectations set by our team of educators.
Position Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and empathetic leader to serve as the Dean of Culture for our charter school. The Dean of Culture will be responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive school culture that promotes student engagement, behavior management, and social-emotional well-being. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a passion for youth development, and a commitment to creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. This position reports to the building principal.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead efforts to cultivate a positive and inclusive school culture that fosters respect, empathy, and belonging among students, staff, and families.
- Develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive behavior management system that promotes positive behavior, addresses discipline issues, and supports the social-emotional needs of students.
- Coordinate support services for students, including counseling, mentoring, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention, to address academic, social, and emotional challenges.
- Implement restorative practices and restorative justice principles to address conflicts, repair harm, and build relationships among students and between students and staff.
- Implement a school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework to establish clear expectations, reinforce positive behavior, and provide tiered interventions for students with behavioral challenges.
- Build partnerships with parents, families, community organizations, and local agencies to support student success, promote family involvement, and enhance community support for the school.
- Evaluate staff using the state evaluation system including participating in training, calibrating observations with the principal, and executing the TKES process.
- Collect and analyze data on academics, student behavior, attendance, and discipline referrals to identify trends, patterns, and areas for intervention, and use data to inform decision-making and improvement efforts.
- Provide training and professional development opportunities for staff on topics related to academic behavior management, restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive teaching.
- Support the development of student leadership programs, clubs, and activities that empower students to take on leadership roles, promote school spirit, and make positive contributions to the school community.
- Serve as the local school testing coordinator through participation in required meetings and executing the local school actions for implementing testing.
- Serve as the school scheduler in conjunction with the principal, school counselor, and enrollment clerk.
Qualifications:
- Masters Degree in Education, Counseling, Social Work, or a related educational field
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in education, student support services, or school leadership.
- GaPSC Tier I Certification at Level 5 or higher
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Previous experience in school leadership, behavior management, counseling, or related field, preferably in a charter school or similar setting.
- Strong understanding of child and adolescent development, behavior management strategies, and social-emotional learning principles.
- Knowledge of restorative practices, restorative justice, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and trauma-informed care approaches.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with students, parents, staff, and community stakeholders.
- Empathy, patience, and a genuine desire to support the social-emotional well-being and success of all students.
- Ability to lead and motivate a team of staff members, collaborate with colleagues, and work effectively in a diverse and dynamic school environment.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ability to address issues of bias, discrimination, and inequity in the school community.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to respond effectively to crisis situations and manage challenging behavior.
- Passion for education and a deep commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environment where all students can thrive.