Scattergood Friends School and Farm seeks a full-time Dean of Students to begin employment on July 1, 2018. We hope for the candidate to begin as early as June 11, 2018.
The Dean of Students is responsible for the success of students’ community and residential experience at the school. This includes training and supporting staff, developing and overseeing the residential life curriculum, and coordinating support for students’ non-academic needs. Scattergood is looking for a candidate who is passionate about building community and helping adolescents to know themselves as individuals and as community members in the context of a progressive college-preparatory educational program.
School Description Established in 1890, Scattergood is an extraordinary Iowa City area college prep boarding and day high school. We have a long tradition of progressive academics, positive peer culture, and strong sense of community. We attract a diverse student body from the Midwest, around the U.S., and many different countries.
Scattergood’s educational program incorporates wilderness trips, community service, and experiential learning on our organic farm and prairie. In our small community we embrace difference and do the hard work necessary to have open conversations about diversity and justice.
Primary Responsibilities
Work closely with designated staff on community, residential, and disciplinary matters.
Set expectations for students' faculty advisors and support them as needed.
Coordinate communication among students, advisors, and parents.
Train, oversee and support dorm staff, meeting regularly to monitor dorm life activities, rules, and behaviors.
Work with health office, counseling, and dorm staff to support student well-being and to develop and deliver curriculum for community and residential life.
Coordinate staff for non-academic events and programs such as wilderness and international trips and service learning.
Skills, Qualifications, Experience
Demonstrated ability to work patiently and positively with all constituents in an educational setting.
Experience in residential life leadership.
Team Leadership experience, preferably in a school setting.
Demonstrated an ability to communicate effectively with parents, students, and colleagues.
Experience working with individuals of diverse abilities and religious, racial, cultural, sexual, and gender identities in an inclusive environment.
Ability to navigate difficult conversations respectfully and gracefully.
Strong commitment to progressive education.
Extensive experience working with adolescents.
Past experience in Quaker education is desirable but not required.
Master’s Degree in Counseling or related field is desirable but not required.
NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: Compensation includes salary, rent-free campus housing, meals when school is in session,
health and disability insurance, and retirement benefits.
About Scattergood Friends School
Scattergood Friends School is an educational community that seeks motivated learners who value simplicity, personal integrity and non-violence. We believe that the integration of these Quaker values within our holistic curriculum promotes excellence. At Scattergood, we bring forth the strengths of each individual through a diverse, well rounded experience which prepares students for higher education and life-long learning. As a community, we work and learn on our organic farm, participate in a work crew program and explore responsible use of technology. We cultivate our inner voice through quiet spiritual reflection and use that voice in community shared leadership. At Scattergood, we value the development of the whole person within the context of the global community, instilling a sense of place and purpose as we carry our values and commitment into the wider world.
Scattergood Friends School is an academic community which provides a four-year college preparatory curriculum in accordance with Friends' values. The academic program endeavors to provide an integrated educational experience that will enable students to attain their academic and personal goals. We promote an educati...on that can be the basis for lifelong growth. Accordingly, we believe knowledge and proficiency, acquired through a variety of experiences, are essential for learning to think critically, express ideas effectively, and relate information on a variety of subject areas. We intend for our students to develop ethical values and strength of character. Therefore, we offer opportunities for our students to serve others as we prepare them for life beyond Scattergood.
While the academics are a great focus at Scattergood, the community is stressed just as much. Scattergood relies on the Quaker principles of community, equality, simplicity, and harmony when dealing with issues that arise in our day-to-day lives. However, this rarely makes the process quick and easy. Living in community involves sharing meals, classes, chores, living space, and other responsibilities. "Community" is an ideal and a challenge that we attempt to realize and discover in our daily lives. Community is not something that can be learned through rules, handbooks, or definitions, but rather something that can only be sought and discovered by willing individuals.
Our philosophy concentrates on preparation for life, which involves promoting academic achievement, fostering a responsible and confident self-image in our students, and encouraging personal commitment to the extended community.
