Dean of Elementary Students

ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE UPLOADED AND SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM ON THE SPECIFIED POSTING DEADLINE.

Position:  Dean of Students - Early Childhood
                 Effective 2026-2027 School Year


SALARY: Kentwood Public Schools offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience.

SCHEDULE: This is a full-time, exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week over 42 weeks per year. The 40 hours per week is considered the minimum expectation. Due to the nature and scope of administrative responsibilities, the position requires flexibility to work beyond the standard workday as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, the supervision of evening events, student activities, and other school-related responsibilities that occur outside of regular business hours.

Purpose: The Dean of Students, under the direction of the Director of Early Childhood, is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience by providing comprehensive support for instruction, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), and evaluation processes. This role is integral in fostering a nurturing and effective learning environment, ensuring that each student receives the necessary resources and guidance to succeed. In addition, the Dean will seamlessly assume the responsibilities of the principal/director in their absence, ensuring continuity in leadership and maintaining the high standards of the educational community.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervises and evaluates teaching staff and other building employees in accordance with the school district's evaluation plan, providing timely feedback for continuous development and growth.
• Assists the Director in meeting goals and objectives as outlined in the district's strategic plan.
• Implement and adhere to all district policies and procedures specified by the Board of Education, the State of Michigan and the U.S. Department of Education.
• Assists the Director to ensure that teachers understand and deliver instruction through the utilization of the District's approved curriculum and provide appropriate assessments to ensure student learning and growth
• Assists the Director to ensure that data is utilized to drive, inform, and differentiate instruction.
• Ensure that culturally responsive teaching techniques and strategies are utilized to enhance student learning and growth.
• Utilize the evaluation process to provide timely feedback for staff and student development and growth
• Support district assessment needs and coordinate efforts to facilitate testing related to District common assessments, M-STEP, WIDA, and other state and national assessments.
• Assists with establishing and maintaining positive relationships with parents and community organizations.
• Assists and supports the implementation of Multi-tiered Systems of Support.
• Assists and supports a school environment that will enable learning to occur in a meaningful manner in a climate of high expectations for self, staff, student and parents.
• Utilize restorative justice practices and implement alternatives to out-of-school suspensions
• Assists with planning ongoing opportunities for family and community involvement.
• Assists the Director to develop and maintain community partnerships that enhance and support instruction leading to student achievement.
• Assists with student intervention including EL, 31a, Special Education, Title one, etc.
• Assists the Director with all functions related to Early Childhood programming.
• Assists the Director in the implementation of the school-wide discipline plan.
• Assists the Director in coordinating and facilitating school meetings, including Student Study Team, Open House, conferences, parent group meetings, staff meetings, and after school events and activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance

Additional Duties:  Performs other related tasks as assigned by central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent. 
 
Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities.  It is not meant to be all inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment:  Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements:  Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current teaching methods and educational pedagogy, as well as differentiates instruction based upon student learning styles.
• Knowledge of early childhood, special education and elementary school curriculum and concepts.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Ability to use computer network system and software applications as needed.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students and parents.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others contacted in the course of work
• Ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.

Qualifications: 

• Master's Degree in administration, supervision or education.
• Special Education Supervisor Approval, preferred.
• Three years successful teaching experience.
• Special Education endorsement (EI, CI, ASD or LD)
• Experience working with students with disabilities
• Experience working in an early childhood setting, preferred.
• Leadership experience in a school setting, preferred.
• Ability to express ideas clearly in oral and written communications.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:  

• Ada Requirements:  The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical Demands:   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.
• Work Environment:  The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.
• Mental Functions:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

FLSA Status:    Exempt

APPLICATIONS:   SUBMIT AN APPLICATION, INDIVIDUAL COVER LETTER AND RESUME THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLITRACK APPLICANT CENTER, NO HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED VIA MAIL OR HAND DELIVERY.
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE UPLOADED AND SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM ON THE SPECIFIED POSTING DEADLINE.

Visit the district website:  Click kentwoodps/employment.org

Kentwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in its employment decisions or the provision of services.