Are you a passionate and experienced educator with a desire to cultivate a positive school culture and support student well-being? Aspen Academy is seeking a dynamic Dean of Students (3-8) to join our team, starting in June 2025! In this year-round position, the Dean will work closely with the Lower, Middle School and Programs Directors to oversee the day-to-day life of the students and work in partnership with teachers to support and guide students’ character and social-emotional development. The Dean will help cultivate an inclusive community where all students feel seen and have a sense they belong. Key responsibilities include taking the lead on student discipline and enhancing lower and middle school student programs, including advisory, behavior policies, and social-emotional learning in conjunction with our Elevate Team of school counselors. The ideal candidate will be empathetic and grounded in a developmental understanding of students ages 8-14, having experience working with and supporting a community of diverse backgrounds. They will have extensive experience working with a range of students and have a deep respect for their intellectual and social-emotional development.

Full Time | Onsite | Year-Round

Start Date: Preferred June 9, 2025

Starting annual salary $85,000-$105,000 (based on education & experience) 

Why Aspen Academy?

Located in the southern metro area of beautiful Denver, Colorado, at Aspen Academy, we're not just a school; we're a community committed to shaping the leaders of tomorrow. Our dedication to Next Generation education sets us apart, as we equip students with the enduring life skills they need for future success. We look at learning as a way to ignite the personal passions and interests of each and every student. Our unique leadership, finance, and entrepreneurial development (LiFE) program prepares students for life. Students thrive as they build lasting relationships with peers and teachers through small class sizes and a community focus. 

Our current enrollment is over 400 students with 50+ faculty members, 72% of of whom have advanced degrees.  Our faculty and staff are collaborative, values-driven educators committed to kindness, responsibility, hard work, and making a positive impact on students. We foster an inclusive working and learning community that empowers colleagues to create engaging learning experiences, embrace growth, and celebrate diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

We embody and promote the community's values in our thoughts, words, and actions, serving as committed and supportive co-leaders in realizing Aspen Academy's vision and mission:

• Our values: Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better.

• Our mission: We edify and inspire students and educators to grow, learn and lead.

• Our vision: We are a national leader in innovative and transformative education.

About Your Role

• You demonstrate care, respect, patience, and appreciation for individual differences, fostering an inclusive and equitable environment.

• You communicate effectively and respectfully with all stakeholders (students, parents, colleagues) using clear, kind, and age-appropriate language, even in difficult conversations, building strong partnerships and constructively addressing concerns.

• You recognize the importance of and actively engage in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) initiatives, striving to be a culturally responsive educator.

• You uphold school policies and maintain confidentiality while fostering positive relationships with all families, including those whose approaches may differ from recommended best practices for student success. 

• You align your educational approach with Aspen Academy’s mission, philosophy, and strategic direction, serving as a positive representative of the school within the community.

• You demonstrate strategic leadership, understanding the organizational vision and effectively managing the complex operations of an independent school.

• You build strong, collaborative relationships with all members of the school community and demonstrate the ability to motivate, support, and lead others.

• You adapt to change, manage stressful situations effectively, and maintain a positive attitude. You have a passion for working with students, a sense of humor, a growth mindset with a desire to learn, and strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

What You’ll Do

Overall: Build trusting, supportive relationships with all school constituencies, including students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Student Life and Family Relations

• Oversee student life.

• Work collaboratively with the Academic Division Directors in all student matters and keep them fully informed on student issues and all other relevant matters pertaining to school life.

• Support the Academic Division Directors with implementation of the lower, middle and programs school vision to cultivate a positive student culture and fulfill the school’s mission.

• Lead student growth and discipline, incorporating restorative practices and school values while partnering with the Academic Division Directors and counselors and faculty. Communicate with the Associate Head of School, Academic Division Directors, impacted faculty and counselors, and parents as necessary regarding student issues and disciplinary situations.  Maintain all records related to discipline.

• Working with the grade level teachers, counselors, and the Academic Division Directors, support the development of advisory programs, SEL, Durable Skills, inclusivity, Community and Culture programs, study hall, and other initiatives adopted to support our students' emotional lives and well-being.  In coordination with the Academic Division Directors, develop new student programs as needed.

• Support grade-level teams in leadership retreat and adventure week planning.

• Support LiFE Manager and Middle School Director in creating, planning and implementing half-day Academies in the Middle School.

• Observe and create student culture during recess and lunch.

•  Other responsibilities may include support of field trips and school socials, acting as an advisor, covering classes for absent teachers, and attending student performances and athletic events.

School and Community Support

• Support faculty in classroom management and guide the approach to break/lunch supervision.

• Lead faculty and staff in teaching and clarifying the school’s expectations for behavior.

• Partner with faculty and students to ensure alignment with and adherence to school policies (e.g. student uniform).

• Participate in Academic Leadership Team, grade level, Elevate Division, faculty and all team meetings.

• While there are no plans currently, the Dean may also teach one class.

• Partners with the Admission Office to ease the assimilation of incoming students and help with the transition of new students and their families, including summer onboarding.

• Works in collaboration with the Middle School Director Middle School Counselor to oversee all aspects of the secondary school placement process for Aspen Academy’s graduating eighth grade class by:

• Building and maintaining relationships with secondary schools in the Denver-metro area.

• Partnering with families as they engage in the secondary school process.

• Writing student recommendations.

• Supporting faculty as they write recommendations.

• Hosting and coordinating secondary school informational events for secondary schools in the Denver-metro area.

Administrative

• Serve on the Academic Leadership Team.

• Collaborate with the Academic Division Directors in developing and maintaining core processes for student behavior and culture.

• In coordination with the AHOS, Director of Marketing and Communications, and Academic Directors, update the family handbook.

• Work with the Academic Dean and Academic Leadership Team to foster faculty growth through professional development, coaching, etc.

• In collaboration with the Academic Leadership Team, responsible for planning pre- and post- service and creating the cadence, structure and schedule for the upcoming academic year.

• Other administrative duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need to Get the Job Done

• Required: Bachelor’s Degree.  Master’s Degree preferred.

• Preferred: teaching certification or license.

• 3-5 years of teaching experience.  Academic and/or behavioral coaching experience a plus.

• Preferred: Experience working with Middle and Lower School students.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the social, emotional, and cognitive development of students (ages 8-14). Understanding the unique challenges and opportunities of included age groups.

• Experience with conflict resolution, mediation. Experience with restorative practices is highly beneficial.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices a plus.

• Experience with students with diverse learning needs.

• Knowledge and implementation experience of effective strategies for promoting positive behavior and addressing challenging behaviors with students.

• Experience developing and implementing student programs, including advisory programs, social-emotional learning programs, and other student support initiatives.

• Experience with tracking student behavior data, maintaining accurate records, and using data to inform decision-making.

• Familiarity with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices related to student safety, discipline, and privacy.

• Experience with handling sensitive student information with discretion and professionalism.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Agility, adaptability and a high degree of change-readiness.

• Proficient use of computer software, Google Suite, learning management systems (Blackbaud preferred), AI. 

• Grant permission for a criminal background check upon hire. 

• Meet physical demands to perform essential functions of the role.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions: Ability to work full-time, including occasional evenings and weekends; work in person/in the school building; speak for long periods of time. Regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, or crouch.  Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally life up to 50 pounds. 

What You’ll Love About Us

Be Kind. Do Good. Work Hard. Make the World Better. These are the values our team embodies day to day. Below are some of the ways in which we’ll promise to value you in your time here: 

• Retirement: 403(b) plan with employer matching

• Healthcare: Medical, dental and vision plans with various options to support your unique needs. Free telehealth.

• Wellness: Holistic employee assistance program (EAP) including mental health support.  Fitness challenges, gym discounts, health education, and fun team activities.

• Life Insurance & Voluntary Benefits: Group life insurance and option to enroll in additional voluntary life insurance and other supplemental coverages 

• Time-off: Flexible PTO policy 

• Career development: Professional development reimbursement program and monthly onsite professional development

• Family Care: Tuition assistance and potential financial aid

• Community: A sense of belonging
  

Further details about our total compensation package can be found here. 

Salary Range: Starting annual salary $85,000-$105,000 (based on education & experience) 

More about Aspen Academy

Aspen Academy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and military and veteran status. 

Apply Here Today!

To join us in our mission to provide an unparalleled education that equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in a changing world, apply here: https://www.aspenacademy.org/about/careers.