DSST: Cole High School, School Director

DSST Cole High School Director

This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the best public charter schools in Denver, CO. DSST: Cole Middle School opened in 2011 as a community-driven school with incredible family support and involvement marked by strong relationships. The Director for this school will have the opportunity to join and lead an incredible team of dedicated staff and a vibrant student community. 

Along with all other DSST Campuses, the Cole Campus has an inclusive model in support of our mission of eliminating educational inequity.  The campus is a model of an integrated school in the community, and the Cole High School has a successful program serving students with affective needs.  

The foundation of DSST academics is a college prep focus, with an emphasis on developing students through liberal arts learning with a STEM focus and values driven culture. After completion of our program, students will be confidently prepared for the rewarding challenges of a college education.                                               

Overview of Position:

The School Director is fully responsible for all functions of overseeing operations on the campus.  The School Director will oversee all aspects of the daily routine leading the vision, culture and people management at the school.  They will also serves as a network leader participating in all aspects of the network’s strategic plan and growth to achieve our mission to transform urban public education by eliminating educational inequity and preparing all students for success in college and the 21st century.

Essential Functions:  

Leadership

• DSST Mission Driven: Demonstrate a sense of urgency about achievement for ALL students and preparing every student for four-year college.
• Pursue solutions with tenacity that maximize student achievement. Is willing to do whatever it takes to get the work done right.
• Lead the core model elements of DSST Public Schools to dramatically improve student achievement.
• Directly supervise, coach and support the leadership team at your school (i.e. Office Manager, School Director in Training, Associate School Director, Dean of Students, and Director of Curriculum Instruction)
• Develop, communicate and oversee the School Plan: school-wide strategic plan including vision, culture, systems, and problem-solving.
• Serve on the DSST Public Schools Leadership Team.
• Recruit and hire top talent for all positions in the school.

Instructional, Coaching and Evaluation

• Lead the school’s data driven instructional practice, including rigorous interim assessments that are aligned with end of year assessments and college readiness.
• Align all school leadership components to the data driven instructional process (professional development, curriculum development, teacher observation/supervision, etc.)
• Oversee curriculum development and assessment (internal and external.)
• Ensure consistency within the school program and curricular alignment with state and other rigorous standards.
• Create a professional learning community in which teachers regularly collaborate to reflect on and refine curriculum and instruction at the school using achievement data, student work, and their own observations/experiences.
• Collaborate with school and network team members to determine the services needed for each student, based on their IEP goals and requirements, their personal goals, and school-based goals for their learning and development.

Culture

• Establish school culture centered on core values that deeply care for each student and staff member and holds each student and staff member to the highest level of accountability.
• Ensure Morning Meetings are robust and supportive of our values-based culture.
• Collaborate with school staff to maximize the ability of the school to support students’ academic and socio-emotional development.
• Provide leadership to all staff and students in establishing a positive, structured, achievement-oriented, and fun school culture.

Family and Community Engagement

• Maintain communication and relations with the families of the school, keeping families involved with accountable for their student’s academic and behavioral performance.
• Work with staff to plan, coordinate, and support family meetings and special events.
• Respond to family concerns promptly and effectively.

Systems:

• Implement systems that “sweat the small stuff,” maximize the programmatic goals of the school, and are scalable as the school grows.
• Develop solutions to complex problems involving all stakeholders.
• Manage with fiscal responsibility - develop a disciplined planning process that identifies the school’s highest-priorities. 

The School Director will be evaluated based on data-driven performance indicators including, but not limited to student attendance, measurable student learning gains on nationally-normed tests, internal benchmark assessments, student retention and parent/student satisfaction.

 Job Requirements:  

DSST Public Schools seeks professionals with strong character, passion for excellence and a relentless commitment to our students.   

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited university required

• 5+ years teaching, preferable in urban schools and/or communities

• 5+ years of experience as a Dean of Students, Director of Curriculum and Instruction or Associate School Director or equivalent leadership role is highly preferred

• Experience at a high-performing charter school highly preferred but not required

• Experience in a Principal/School Director role preferred

• Experience in a Principal/School Director Development Program is highly preferred

Commitments:

Commitment to Equity

• We believe that if we actively commit to equitable and inclusive practices aligned to our mission and values, our students and staff will achieve at high levels.

Commitment to Continuous Growth

• We believe that if we foster our own growth mindsets, our students and staff will develop a commitment to continuous improvement and thus maximize their potential.

Commitment to Healthy Team

• We believe that if we commit to modeling and fostering healthy teams, our students and staff will achieve a collective success that surpasses that of the individuals

Drives to Results

• We believe if we strategically develop systems and people with a driven sense of urgency and focus on results, our students and staff will achieve ambitious goals.

Classification: Exempt

Reports to: School Managing Director

 Compensation and Benefits:   DSST Public Schools is committed to providing our staff with benefit offerings that empower each of our employees to make the choices that best meet their individualized and personal needs while also keeping cost in mind.

 DSST Benefit highlights include: 

·   Medical Plans offered through Aetna

·   $0 employee cost option!

·   Annual Health Savings account (HSA) gift from DSST Public Schools

·   2 Dental Plans options offered through Aetna Insurance and Vision through the Eyemed network

·   Employee Assistance and Counseling Support

·   401 (k) retirement plan with 5% annual gift from DSST regardless of personal contribution

·   Paid Leave effective immediately 

·   Access to additional discounts through our benefit partners exclusively for DSST staff  

*Candidates placed in Aurora Science & Tech. will be eligible for a PERA Retirement Plan 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

DSST Public Schools proudly values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. Denver School of Science and Technology does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities. (Protected Classes).  

DSST Public Schools does not unlawfully discriminate against a member of a Protected Class in admission or access to, or terms and conditions of employment, or in its programs and activities. DSST Public Schools shall operate as an equal opportunity employer and will provide and safeguard the opportunity for all persons to seek, obtain, hold and advance in employment within the district without discrimination. The District shall actively promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive, aggressive, continuing affirmative action program.

Further, DSST Public Schools affirms the rights of all Protected Classes to be free from intimidation, discrimination, physical harm and/or harassment.

DSST Public Schools shall inform students, parents, employees and the general public each school year that the educational programs, activities and employment opportunities offered by the district are offered without regard to ethnicity, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. The announcement shall also include the name/title, address and telephone number of the person designated to coordinate Title IX and Section 504 and ADA compliance activities.

Any person having inquiries concerning the School's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), or Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), may contact the Assistant Superintendent or Human Resources. 

DSST Public Schools Overview:

DSST Public Schools (DSST) operates a network of tuition-free, open-enrollment public STEM charter schools. DSST schools operate within the Denver Public Schools (DPS) and Aurora Public Schools (APS) districts. Our schools focus on building a community where students and staff are valued for their unique talents. Meaningful relationships are at the core of our model which is why our schools are small enough so that every student is known and valued for their individuality. We have developed systems and structures to ensure our students will be prepared for college, career and life. The student population across the DSST network is 84% students of color and 71% qualify for free and reduced lunch. This year, DSST will serve approximately 6,000 students at fifteen schools on nine campuses across Denver and Aurora.

DSST Public Schools employees support each other not only to have fulfilling careers, but more importantly, to lead fulfilling lives that combines deeply meaningful professional work with personal well-being. Our core values are central to our program and to our results. These values are embedded in everything that we do and how we do it, both for our students and our staff. The six DSST core values are:

Respect - We appreciate each person and their story through our words, actions, and attitudes. We value their unique perspective and treat others with dignity.
Responsibility - We acknowledge that our actions and choices impact ourselves and our community. We take ownership for what we do and how we choose to do it.
Integrity - We act and speak with honesty, fairness, and thoughtfulness. We consistently align our words and actions.
Courage - We possess the confidence and resolve to take risks, push ourselves, and persevere in the face of pressure, adversity or unfamiliar circumstances.
Curiosity - We are eager to learn, questions, and explore. We have a thirst for knowledge, a love of investigation, and a desire to learn about ourselves, our community, and our world.
Doing Your Best - We put our best effort into everything we do. We know that individual and collective effort are required for our community to thrive.

https://www.dsstpublicschools.org/

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