Dean of Student Development and Experience, Grades K-4
New Yesterday
Job Type: Officer of Administration
Bargaining Unit:
Regular/Temporary: Regular
End Date if Temporary:
Hours Per Week: 35
Standard Work Schedule:
Building:
Salary Range: $100,000 - $140,000
The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.
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Position Summary
The Dean of Student Development and Experience is a division-based administrator who stewards the student experience by shaping school culture, supporting student wellbeing, and ensuring developmentally responsive systems across The School at Columbia University (TSC). Working across divisions, the Dean provides continuity in student life structures, relational care, and shared practices.
Grounded in TSC's values, the Dean leads community-building efforts, advances empathy and kindness through the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) framework, and supports aligned, restorative approaches to student behavior that reinforce accountability, reflection, and a sense of belonging.
The Dean of Student Development and Experience is responsible for the coherence, consistency, and care of the student experience within their grade bands, ensuring that systems, programming, and daily practices reflect TSC's values and developmental philosophy.
Responsibilities
School Culture, Belonging & Student Life:
Build, model, and sustain a positive, inclusive school culture rooted in empathy, kindness, and belonging across classrooms, common spaces, and schoolwide experiences
Lead the implementation of the TSC Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) framework and curriculum in partnership with faculty and staff, supporting consistent language, practices, and expectations across grade levels
Serve as a visible, accessible administrator and trusted advocate for students and families, strengthening relationships and supporting a cohesive student experience
Serve on the Child Support Team (CST), meeting weekly to discuss student life and coordinate support for students in partnership with teachers, the SEL Team, and division leadership
Restorative Practices & Student Support:
Lead and oversee restorative discipline practices for Tier 1 and Tier 2 student behavior in partnership with teachers, staff, the SEL Team, and division leadership, ensuring responses are consistent, developmentally appropriate, dignity-centered, and focused on reflection, accountability, repair, and skill-building rather than punishment
Coach and support teachers and staff in using shared restorative language and practices across classrooms and common spaces, and facilitate restorative conversations and problem-solving meetings as needed to address harm and strengthen relationships
Monitor Tier 1 and Tier 2 behavior patterns and trends, identify proactive supports and early interventions, and communicate with families to reduce escalation and support students in successfully returning to classroom and school routines following reflection, restoration, or repair
Co-create responsive behavior support plans
Morning Meeting & SEL Programming:
Collaborate with the SEL Team to implement morning meeting structures (Grades K-4)
Support faculty in delivering consistent, developmentally appropriate SEL experiences across grade levels, ensuring alignment between classroom practices, advisory structures, and schoolwide SEL priorities, while reflecting students' developmental needs across K-8
Perform other responsibilities as required
Experiential Learning & Signature Programs:
Integrated Project Week (IPW)
The Deans (K-4 and 5-8) will oversee the planning, coordination and execution of Integrated Project Week (IPW) ( a four-day, integrated, cross-curricular student experience held in early March) in partnership with faculty and IPW coordinators, ensuring alignment with TSC's values, developmentally appropriate structures, and a consistent, meaningful student experience from launch through reflection. Ensure strong long-term planning, clear timelines, and coordinated structures
Grade 8 Social Action Project:
The Deans (K-4 and 5-8) will oversee the Grade 8 Social Action Project (SAP) in partnership with the Grade 8 teaching team, supporting long-term planning, mentorship structures, timelines, and presentation opportunities. xsgimln The project culminates in a public expo where students share their work with the school community, developing skills in research, writing, problem-solving, collaboration, organization, reflection, and presentation
For IPW and the Grade 8 Social Action Project, the Deans K-4 and 5-8 will be responsible for the following:
Support in the development of student mentorship, advising and accountability structures within these signature programs
Help create meaningful opportunities for student presentation, exhibition and authentic audience engagement
Ensure these programs reflect the school's commitment to student agency, interdisciplinary learning, purpose-driven work and experiential education
Student Events & Logistics:
Serve as a key administrator, in partnership with the teaching team, for field trips, evening events, and overnight trips, supporting planning, communication, supervision, and student safety across K-8 (with overnight trips for Grades 5-8)
Chaperone overnight and/or extended grade-level trips, as applicable, in support of the teaching team, student experience, and the academic and advisory program
Perform other responsibilities as required
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree required
7+years of teaching and leadership experience
Experience working with children in a school setting, with demonstrated knowledge of child development
Experience supporting student life, restorative practices, or social-emotional programming
Demonstrated record of outstanding achievement and leadership
Strong relational, communication and collaboration skills
Demonstrated ability to lead with empathy, clarity, and consistency in complex situations
Strong organizational skills
Ability to work well with different work styles
Ability to be adaptable and work well in a dynamic school environment
Proven leadership ability and presence to remain calm and supportive
Ability to demonstrate good judgement and confidentiality in handling sensitive student and family matters
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree in education, counseling, or a related field
Knowledge of Spanish
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.
Required
Preferred
Job Industries
Other
- Location:
- New York
- Category:
- Education And Training