Dean of Student Success - Early Childhood Education Center
Dean of Student Success - Early Childhood Education Center
ABOUT CITY GARDEN MONTESSORI SCHOOL (CGMS)
CGMS exists to redefine education by developing the whole child in an excellent, inclusive, Montessori school; to reimagine community by creating spaces and systems that help to restore our collective humanity; and to reinvigorate our world by creating a culture in which individuals and communities thrive without disparities or barriers to success.
CGMS was founded in 1995 as a Montessori preschool. In the mid-2000s, as a response to the educational inequity that exists in St. Louis, preschool parents worked with the founders to open a charter public elementary school. CGMS’ public charter school opened in the basement of a church in 2008 with 53 students, grades K-3. The school added a grade level each year until the school reached eighth grade and served 275 students, moving into the building at 1618 Tower Grove Avenue in 2012. In 2021, CGMS expanded its preschool and kindergarten program and in 2022, CGMS opened its new Elementary and Adolescent Center (EAEC), housing lower elementary (1st-3rd grade), upper elementary (4th-6th grade) and junior high (7th-8th grade) students. CGMS now serves 622 students in preschool through eighth grade across two buildings. CGMS will continue to grow over the next three years until the school reaches 700 students.
CGMS has consistently been one of the highest-performing charter public schools in Missouri and has been recognized both locally and nationally for its excellent program, staff and community.
MISSION & CORE VALUES
We achieve our mission by combining the Montessori Theory of Development, rigorous state standards and an Anti-Bias, Antiracism (ABAR) framework in an intentionally diverse school setting. You can read CGMS’ strategic framework here.
The Dean of Student Success is a key leadership role focused on supporting student success and family engagement through strong systems of behavior support, social-emotional learning, attendance, and MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support). This role will collaborate closely with school principal, classroom teams, the Family Support Coordinator, network and administrative Leaders to ensure inclusive, proactive, and restorative practices are embedded throughout the school.
Reporting to the ECEC Principal, the Dean of Student Success will be an integral part of the school’s leadership team; participating in strategic planning sessions, and collaborating on professional development, implementation of MTSS structures, and family partnership systems that reflect Montessori and ABAR values.
We are seeking an exceptional educator who is grounded in anti-bias education and antiracist values and deeply committed to both whole-child education and promoting continual growth while maintaining a student-centered focus. We are seeking a leader who is excited to engage deeply with students, guides (teachers), staff, and families as partners, who loves to learn, who is open to giving and receiving constructive feedback, and who will always place children at the center of decisions and actions.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Support & Behavior Systems
- Respond to student behavior in a way that promotes dignity, regulation, and restoration
- Support implementation of classroom behavior strategies and provide coaching to Guides and assistants
- Track and monitor behavior referrals, identify patterns, and lead response planning with ILT and social-emotional staff
- Co-lead the planning and delivery of school-wide SEL programming and core values integration.
Attendance & Engagement
- Serve as lead facilitator of the ECEC Attendance Team.
- Monitor student attendance data weekly, develop and implement proactive communication protocols with families.
- Coordinate family meetings and attendance interventions.
- Lead and oversee MTSS in the ECEC, including:
- Work in partnership with the Principal, network leadership, and faculty to further develop the vision and structure for MTSS/tiered support services in the ECEC.
- Supervise Tier 2 instructional staff, including tutor coordinators and academic interventionists.
- Oversee record-keeping, communication with parents regarding assessment data, and the gathering of resources to support educators, assistants, and/or children as it relates to Tier 2 or 3 supports (e.g., intervention, tutoring, CHIPP food program, etc.).
Family Engagement
- Family Partnership in Behavior Support - Collaborate with Guides and the Family Support Coordinator to co-create student support plans with families.
- Proactive Communication & Belonging - Lead initiatives that build a culture of proactive family engagement, including monthly drop-in hours, welcome letters for new families, and family-facing “Justness” resources
- Family Education & Events - Co-plan and co-facilitate at least two family learning sessions annually focused on topics such as social-emotional development, Montessori at home, and the school’s approach to behavior and discipline.
Leadership & Culture
- Collaborate with the ECEC Principal and leadership team on strategic initiatives and professional development
- Support school-wide events and rituals that promote community and student belonging.
QUALIFICATIONS & CHARACTERISTICS
- At least 3 years of experience in a school supporting student behavior, family engagement, or early childhood support services
- Experience working in public education
- Bachelor’s degree in education or related field (Master’s degree preferred)
- Knowledge of early childhood development, trauma-informed practices, and culturally responsive discipline systems
- Training or experience in Montessori education settings
- Demonstrated success with restorative practices, behavior intervention, or MTSS
- Understanding of Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist (ABAR) principles and ability to lead from an equity-centered perspective
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills; clear communicator with families and staff
- Knowledge of early childhood development, trauma-informed practices, and culturally responsive discipline systems
- Ability to build trust and navigate conflict with clarity and care
- Proficient with email, Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, calendar management, electronic and physical file management and personal technology
This 12 month position offers a starting salary range of $65,000 to $75,000 per year as well as robust benefits, including medical, dental, pension (vested after five years), school admission preference (discounted preschool and before/after care), and 21 days annually of Sick Time/Personal Time Off, in addition to federal holidays and school breaks.
City Garden Montessori School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, City Garden Montessori School complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. City Garden Montessori School also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.