Dean of Culture - High School (26-27)

About the Organization

KIPP Public Schools Northern California is a nonprofit network of free, public charter schools serving all students. Its mission is to partner with families and communities to build joyful, high-performing schools that equip young people with the confidence and skills to choose their own path, whether that leads to college, a career, or both. The organization serves more than 7,000 students across elementary, middle, and high school campuses in East Palo Alto, Oakland, San Francisco, San Lorenzo, San Jose, Redwood City, and Stockton.

The student community reflects the region’s diversity: 79% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, 23% are multilingual learners, and 10% receive special education support. The school network seeks educators and leaders whose lived experiences and backgrounds reflect the communities they serve.

Role Overview

The Dean of Culture for the high school is responsible for strengthening a positive, safe, and academically supportive school environment. This role works to advance student achievement and personal development by partnering with teachers, students, families, and school staff to implement initiatives rooted in the values of excellence, belonging, determination, and integrity.

The position is a full-time, exempt role aligned to the school-year calendar and based at school sites in Stockton, CA.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, the teammate will help create and sustain a strong school culture through planning, collaboration, and consistent execution.

• Develop both daily and long-range lesson plans using curriculum and available resources so they align with KIPP’s academic priorities and vision.
• Review student data on a regular basis to spot trends and use those findings to improve instructional decisions.
• Maintain a classroom climate that is welcoming, rigorous, warm, inclusive, and engaging, while incorporating restorative practices and social-emotional learning.
• Use culturally responsive behavior and classroom management approaches to keep the learning environment safe and supportive for every student.
• Communicate consistently with staff members, students, families, and other stakeholders to build strong partnerships.
• Participate actively in weekly professional development sessions and other communities of practice to continue growing professionally.
• Keep student information current, including attendance, grades, behavior records, and similar documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates should bring classroom leadership experience, a strong student-centered mindset, and the ability to lead with clarity and cultural awareness.

• At least 3 to 5 years of teaching experience with student populations similar to those served by KIPP Northern California.
• Prior experience in a leadership or teacher-leader role, such as grade-level lead, instructional coach, or content lead, is preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Eligibility for, and ongoing maintenance of, a Substitute Teacher Permit through the CTC.
• Belief that every student can succeed in college and beyond, regardless of background, along with a strong commitment to the school community.
• Ability to set direction for a team and inspire others to take action.
• Evidence of driving student achievement and supporting performance management for teachers or other team members.
• Skill in creating inclusive spaces that respect and support a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
• Strong data analysis capability, including the ability to pull useful insights from schoolwide information.
• Knowledge of academic standards and state assessment expectations, with the ability to turn mastery goals into instructional plans.
• Understanding of how to apply and adapt high-impact teaching strategies appropriately based on child development and pedagogy.
• Ability to build relationships and manage multiple stakeholders effectively.
• Resilience, persistence, and a consistent focus on student outcomes.

Working Conditions

This role requires mobility around school and classroom settings, frequent use of technology, and occasional lifting or carrying of items weighing between 1 and 20 pounds. The job may also involve kneeling, walking, pushing, pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping, and reaching overhead.

The position can involve stress from deadlines, interruptions, and the need to sustain concentration, solve problems, and perform routine reading, calculation, and recall tasks. The work environment is a school or classroom setting with frequent interruptions and distractions, and adherence to health and safety guidance from relevant public health authorities is expected.

Compensation and Benefits

The listed salary for the Bay Area campus substitute role is $65,050 per year. The organization also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and transportation benefits.

Application Instructions

Applicants were asked to submit a cover letter and resume. Questions about the role were directed to the recruiting email provided in the source posting.