Academic Dean

School Year: 2026-2027

Leading at Achievement First 

As an Academic Dean at Achievement First, you will be at the center of this work— coaching our teachers and driving decisions that will benefit our scholars. Here, you will be the driver of high quality coaching instruction that enables teachers to develop and deliver strong content and to help  our scholars develop a lifelong love of learning. You will work with teachers to be your students’  champion who believes all students are capable of greatness. You will be a demander of excellence for yourself, your  teachers and your students, an educator who helps create a vibrant school community where  students have the type of powerful school experience that fosters their best and most thoughtful  work. 

At Achievement First, you will grow as a passionate and constant leader who thrives on feedback, enjoys regular one-on-one coaching with your principal, and nurtures a voracious appetite for  professional development and consistent improvement. You will cultivate schoolwide classroom  cultures built on strong structures, communication and lasting relationships. Every day, you will  contribute to the education of children who will go on to become the next generation of leaders in our communities.  

As an Academic Dean at Achievement First, your typical week would include the following, and more: 

Coaching and developing staff to achieve excellent student outcomes:

• Analyze school wide data in order to design responsive and effective student interventions.
• Develop highly effective instructional curriculum and schedule, in collaboration with principal and Team Teaching & Learning in the Network Support office. 
• Observe lessons regularly and deliver targeted feedback to teachers. 
• Collaborate with grade/subject teams to plan units, lessons and assessments; regularly share feedback. 
• Assist teachers to devise and monitor high-impact support plans for students. 
• Model outstanding instruction for teachers. 

Facilitating excellent professional development: 

• Coordinate and manage creative, inspiring professional development sessions in line with school goals and priorities. 
• Direct the interim assessment process to ensure teachers are using current data to drive  instruction; facilitate regular, meaningful interim assessment data debriefs with teachers. 
• Lead staff trainings at start and end of school year and on professional development day.

Serve as an active member of the school leadership team:  

• Analyze school wide data in order to design responsive student interventions.
• Track other useful academic data (e.g. homework completion rates); communicate progress to students, teachers and parents.
• Participate in regular leadership team meetings. 
• Work closely with dean of students to support efforts in character development and  positive school culture. 
• Assist teacher leaders (e.g., coaches, grade team leaders) in developing leadership skills. 

Skills and Characteristics: 

• An active and demonstrated commitment to Achievement First’s mission and values: Leading for Racial Equity, Embrace Challenge, and Go Further Together.
• A Track record of exemplary instructional and classroom management skills, including  meeting extremely high standards for student achievement 
• A  Proven ability to proactively and effectively coach and manage adults and drive excellent student achievement through others.
• Superior personal organizational skills, ability to coach others to improve their organizational skills and efficiency, and ability to “zoom out” to create and manage systems and projects that require long range planning and organization.
• People Leadership: Strong self awareness and awareness of others, and exceptional “warm/demanding” balance when leading adults.  
• Growth mindset for self and others; willingness to seek out feedback and ability to implement constructive feedback quickly and effectively.  
• Mastery of and enthusiasm for subject matter. 

Necessary Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree; master’s degree preferred. 
• Certified as a school leader per your state’s guidelines and requirements; If not currently certified, ability to obtain necessary state certification in specific subject and  grade level is required within the first two months of employment.  
• At least 3 years of K-12 full-time lead teaching experience with a record of high student achievement. 
• At least 1 year of experience coaching and leading adults to obtain high student achievement. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role.
• Dean salaries in NY range from $94,725-$123,595.

As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.