Opportunity Academy Dean of Students SY26-27

DISTRICT OVERVIEW Holyoke Public Schools is a PreK-12 public school district serving nearly 5,100 students, of whom 80 percent are Latino/Latina, in 11 schools. We employ nearly 1,300 people who together educate and support a richly diverse community of learners. We are committed to recruiting and retaining top-quality educators who believe all children can and will learn and who strive daily to make school a joyful place of discovery, support, and belonging. Holyoke Public Schools’ strategic plan, “Moving Forward Together,” builds on the strengths of our past while serving as a call to action to accelerate student learning by thinking differently about how we teach, how we work together, and how we support students’ well being. Our Equity Commitments are pledges we are making to address systemic equity challenges. We intentionally build a community that is anti-racist, inclusive, and culturally responsive. We ensure that students, families, and staff get the support they need to be successful. We seek out and incorporate the voices of those impacted, with a commitment to include those who have been excluded in the past. We promote access and inclusion for all students, staff, and families. We respect, embrace, and honor the diversity of our students, families, staff, and community. We reflect on our own behavior to minimize harm to others. We create a culture of acceptance and empathy so that everyone feels valued and is able to contribute to our community’s success. Please visit the Holyoke Public Schools website to learn more about us as well as some of our recent accomplishments.

HPS has engaged in a high school redesign process starting in 2018, with the founding of HHSOA as one of the three main high school campuses as a critical piece of that redesign. Built upon choice, flexibility and access to diverse and challenging educational opportunities, HHSOA’s unique approach to the alternative model deepens student engagement and provides families and business and civic leaders explicit opportunities to partner with educators to help guide students’ career and college plans, as well as strengthen our local economy; while simultaneously addressing each student’s path to graduation and post-secondary readiness through an individualized approach.

Dean of Students Role Overview / Key Responsibilities

The Dean of Students supports the Principal in building and maintaining a strong, consistent, and positive school culture. This role is responsible for leading systems that ensure students are engaged, meeting expectations, and able to access learning every day.

Lead School Culture and Student Behavior

• Establish and maintain clear, consistent expectations for student behavior
• Serve as the primary point person for discipline and culture
• Serve as the primary authority for student behavior and discipline, including supporting teachers with in-class disruptions, removing students when necessary, and ensuring responses are consistent, restorative, and aligned to school expectations
• Build a school environment that is structured, predictable, and focused on learning
• Maintain a visible presence throughout the school day

Lead Engagement Systems and Attendance

• Lead and supervise the engagement team to ensure consistent outreach and student support
• Monitor student attendance and engagement
• Implement strategies and systems to improve attendance and participation
• Work with staff to ensure students are in class and engaged in learning
• Address barriers that impact student attendance and engagement

Coach and Support the Primary Person Model

• Coach staff on effective implementation of the primary person model
• Support systems for student check-ins, goal setting, and ongoing communication
• Ensure consistency in outreach, relationship-building, and student support practices
• Monitor the effectiveness of the model and adjust as needed

Provide Student Support and Interventions

• Develop relationships and behavior plans for students who need additional support
• Coach, support, and hold students accountable toward increasingly positive behavior
• Lead restorative and corrective responses to behavior
• Support school implementation of Restorative Justice in collaboration with the Student Support Team
• Work directly with students to build positive relationships and improve outcomes.

Build and Manage Schoolwide Systems

• Develop and oversee systems related to student behavior, transitions, and school routines
• Track and analyze data related to behavior and attendance
• Identify trends and lead efforts to improve school culture and operations
• Ensure consistency in expectations and practices across the school
• Manage and oversee the student referral process across all sites, including intake, communication, placement decisions, and follow-up to ensure consistency and alignment across programs

Lead Student Activities and Culture Building

• Organize student activities including clubs, events, and community service opportunities
• Coordinate student leadership opportunities (e.g., student council)
• Support school-wide events and incentives that build community and engagement

Partner with Staff, Families, and Community

• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, and support staff to support students
• Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress and expectations
• Build relationships with families as partners in student success
• Connect with community resources to support students as needed

Ensure a Safe and Effective Learning Environment

• Supervise key parts of the school day (arrival, transitions, lunch, dismissal)
• Ensure students are where they are expected to be throughout the day
• Support a safe, respectful, and focused school environment

Role Expectations

• Reports to the Principal
• Demonstrates strong leadership, organization, and relationship-building skills
• Uses data to inform decisions and improve outcomes
• Maintains a high level of accountability and follow-through
• Performs other duties as assigned

Candidate Requirements Experience, Skills, Traits, and Beliefs

• Proven ability to manage and coach a team toward clear, ambitious goals
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to align staff around a shared vision
• Builds strong relationships with students, staff, families, and partners to drive results
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to respond effectively in the moment
• Holds high expectations for all students and demonstrates a belief that every student can succeed
• Experience working with diverse student populations, including students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and students from low-income backgrounds
• Ability to lead with urgency while maintaining a calm, consistent presence
• Demonstrates the ability to lead change, build culture, and motivate others

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in Education or related field preferred
• Massachusetts certification (or working toward certification) as a teacher, counselor, or administrator
• Experience as an educator in an urban setting
• Experience leading, supervising, and/or coaching staff

Preferred

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Strong cultural competence and ability to work effectively across diverse communities