Middle School Dean

Durham Academy (DA) is accepting applications for a Middle School Dean of Students to begin August 2024.  Candidates should have at least three years of teaching and administrative experience,  demonstrate commitment to professional growth, collaboration, and collegiality, and have a passion for working with middle school students. This position reports to the Middle School Director. This will be a part-time leadership position but may be partnered with other part-time responsibilities for full-time salary and benefits. 

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Building relationships with all Middle School students while maintaining a positive presence on campus

• Building relationships and collaboration with all Middle School faculty and staff in the spirit of supporting student growth and behavior 

• Modeling and maintaining a growth mindset 

• Oversight of student behavior, including but not limited to: 

  • planning proactive programming, responding to behaviors of concern

  • administering the school’s behavior plan 

• Efficiently communicating  with all stakeholders: students, colleagues, parents and administration 

• Serving on the Middle School Administrative Team

• Utilizing restorative practice whenever possible during student conversations and mediation

Durham Academy Faculty Members

• Are culturally competent and believe in the central importance of diversity and equity in the life of the school

• Model a student-centered approach to teaching in an active classroom

• Possess a command of pedagogical best practices, eagerly seek feedback on all aspects of their professional life, and are committed to lifelong professional growth

• Collaborate authentically and actively while building and maintaining collegial relationships with colleagues

• Are eager to build supportive relationships with students, successful partnerships with parents/caregivers and participate actively in the life of the school beyond the classroom

• Understand that student wellness is central to the student learning experience

• Use technology thoughtfully and creatively to enhance teaching and learning

• Innovate and experiment to discover the most compelling learning experiences for students

Our School

Founded in 1933, Durham Academy is an all-gender, independent day school with 1,247 students in Pre-kindergarten through grade 12 on three campuses. The purpose of a Durham Academy education is to prepare each student to live a moral, happy and productive life. DA’s Strategic Vision commits to preparing students for life, meeting the needs of our learners and innovating more boldly, with a foundation broadening and deepening our work with diversity, equity and engagement. Our DA is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). Durham Academy is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). 

Diversity, Equity and Engagement Mission Statement
Diversity enlivens, improves and enriches the intellectual and social environment of an academic community and encompasses all aspects of humanity including racial identity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, age and gender identity. We are committed to an ongoing process to increase the diversity of our community and to implement policies, programs and practices under which all members of our community feel welcomed, empowered, responsible and safe. Amidst our diversity we stand united in the pursuit of academic excellence and development of individual capabilities. Find out more about DA’s commitment to diversity, equity and engagement here.

(Adopted by the Durham Academy Board of Trustees in 2004 and updated in 2008)

Our Employment Policy

It is the policy of Durham Academy to make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications for a specific job without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, veteran status, or the presence of a disability, except where such is a bona fide occupational qualification.