Dean of Students jobs in San Jose, CA

The Upper School Dean of Students 

About Castilleja
Founded in 1907 and now serving 424 students in grade 6-12, Castilleja School has long been respected as one of the nation’s premiere girls’ schools. Inspired by its history, traditions, and motto, Women Learning, Women Leading, Castilleja challenges and prepares young women to live lives of purpose and impact. To learn more about Castilleja School’s rich academic and co-curricular programs, please visit the website.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement – Each member of the Castilleja community is responsible for fostering an equitable, respectful, and just community. Together, we commit to learning from diverse voices and experiences, and we aspire to engage our differences with courage, honesty, intellectual curiosity and respect. We believe this commitment to diversity and inclusion is essential to developing compassionate leaders.

The Upper School Dean of Students  Position
Castilleja School seeks an Upper School Dean of Students to begin July 2024 (12-month position) who can develop and implement ongoing student programming that is joyful and builds community. The Upper School Dean of Students reports to the Head of the Upper School, leads the Student Support Team, and serves as an advocate for individual students and the Upper School student body as a whole. 

• monitors the impact of school initiatives on the life of a student and partners with other employees and departments to develop programs that support the students’ development and well-being.

• leads the advisory program and works with four class deans in supporting student well-being, planning activities, organizing orientations, managing logistics, and supporting school traditions.

• partners with the Upper School counselors, DEI practitioners, ACE Center and wellness faculty on the implementation of the SEL programming and leadership curriculum. 

• collaborates with counseling staff in planning parent/guardian education for all grade levels. 

• supports the Head of Upper School in serving as a liaison between families and the school.

• partners with academic leadership to ensure comprehensive and coordinated support of students.

• facilitates coordination and connection with Middle School leadership for consistent and coordinated events, activities, co-curricular programs and approaches grades 6-12.

• implements a student-centered approach to upholding the Upper School Code of Conduct that is grounded in the School’s mission, values, and restorative practices. 

• facilitates courageous conversations and communicates clearly and in a timely fashion, both verbally and in writing, with students, parents, and appropriate school staff.

• Other student related duties and responsibilities may be assigned according to talent and experience.

• Bachelor's Degree; Master’s degree preferred in education or counseling
• Leadership experience or project leadership in a school setting
• Experience teaching at the upper school level and/or familiarity with teaching in independent schools
• Experience with restorative practices and conflict resolution 
• Ability to navigate difficult conversations with students, parents, and colleagues
• Superior executive skills and the ability to work with a high level of consistency and integrity
• Commitment to partnering with other departments and colleagues
• A sense of humor and optimism and commitment to believing in each student’s ability to learn and grow

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer
Castilleja School is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on merit, qualifications and competence.  Castilleja prohibits discrimination based on race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, gender (including transgender, gender identity and gender expression), religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation (including heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality), or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.  It also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of these characteristics, or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of these characteristics.