Dean of Academics at Nixon Elementary

The Opportunity: 
The Dean of Academics plays a critical leadership role in ensuring instructional excellence and a positive, supportive school culture. This position supports teachers and staff in improving classroom instruction, implements a standards-based curriculum, leading the MTSS process, and promotes an environment where students can thrive academically. The Dean of Academics is a member of the school’s leadership team and plays a vital role in creating a safe, inclusive, and achievement-oriented climate for all Nixon scholars. 

Key Responsibilities:

The Details: 

• Lead the MTSS process schoolwide
• Ensure the school shows 7% increase in proficiency in both reading and math
• Chair MTSS/PST meetings, maintain data trackers, and ensure fidelity of Tier 2/3 interventions in the classrooms.
• Monitor and ensure timely intervention plans and progress updates.
• Conduct regular instructional observations using the PLA Coaching Cycle.
• Provide feedback and support to teachers in alignment with academic priorities.
• Track and monitor scholars' academic progress using various trackers, such as Unified Insights
• ​​​​​​Lead professional development around data interpretation and progress monitoring cycles.
• Serve as testing coordinator for:
  • NWEA (MAP)
  • ACAP
  • IReady assessments
  • Interim/benchmark assessments

Instructional Leadership

• Support classroom teachers and school leaders in improving instruction through regular coaching and feedback.
• Facilitate the implementation of a rigorous, standards-based curriculum; review lesson plans weekly and provide targeted support.
• Conduct frequent teacher observations and debriefs using the PLA Coaching Cycle or a similar instructional framework
• Plan and coordinate high-impact professional development, teacher-based teams, staff in-service days, and family orientation sessions.
• Serve as the school’s MTSS lead
• Monitor and support instructional practices to ensure annual goals related to student achievement are met.

Data & Accountability

• Collect and analyze academic data to inform instructional decisions and school culture strategies.
• Use data to identify trends, develop responsive interventions, and track the effectiveness of academic and behavior support.
• Assist in developing and continuously improving schoolwide practices to support learning and behavior outcomes.

Core Competencies: 

• Works with urgency
• Strong Communicator – both written and verbal
• Builds relationships
• Collaborative

 Our Core Values: 

• Children First - work to ensure that all interactions and decisions put our scholars first
• Respect - Treat others as you would like to be treated
• Determination - With hard work and superior effort, we can achieve all things
• Continuous Improvement - try to get better and better every day
• Gratitude - Demonstrate gratefulness for all that we have done and the opportunity to serve our scholars and community.

The Campus:

PLA @ Nixon Elementary School is located at 1000 Edgar D Nixon Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104. We serve about 450 students and believe that every student is a scholar. With the right education, scholars can fulfill their tremendous innate potential and become leaders in their communities and the world. In 2022, with the support of the Montgomery Education Foundation (MEF) and Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA), Nixon became a premier charter school in Montgomery, Alabama. We work together with parents and the community to improve the educational outcomes of our scholars and neighborhood families. Nixon exists to serve the local community and create a safe and thriving space for scholars to feel loved, empowered, and encouraged through quality education.

Compensation and benefits:

PLA’s Dean of Academics will receive a base salary that is competitively aligned with the market. In addition to a base salary, PLA School Leaders receive: 

• Competitive Compensation
• Benefits – Healthcare, vision, and dental insurance
• Monthly professional development opportunities, including participation in our annual Leader Institute
• Opportunities to collaborate and brainstorm with other School Leaders in the network
• Incentive and bonus opportunities

PLA is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristics as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. 

Please read carefully.

Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.