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Dean of Students
Merion Mercy Academy, an independent Catholic college preparatory school for girls in grades 9-12 outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, seeks a dynamic and student-centered educator to serve as Dean of Students beginning July 2024.
The Dean of Students is a highly visible community builder who embraces Mercy values, possesses strong interpersonal skills, and espouses a growth mindset. Importantly, the candidate will help sustain a culture of belonging and inclusion for all students. The candidate must be a role model for girls with exceptional initiative and judgment. The ideal candidate will embrace a culture of compassion and accountability and will be skilled at articulating community expectations to students, families, faculty, and staff. Most importantly, the candidate must have a genuine appreciation of and respect for teenage girls.
The Dean of Students is a member of the Mission Team and reports to the Assistant Head of School for Mission Integration. This is an 11-month position with school holidays, school vacations, and June 15 - July 15 off. The Dean of Students participates in all faculty and staff meetings and professional development days. An additional ten sick and two personal days are available as needed throughout the year; however, it is imperative that the Dean of Students be in the school building when school is in session.
Responsibilities
Presence
- Generally, the Dean of Students will be present in the Lyceum and Dining Commons before school at 7:30 a.m., after school until 3:30 p.m., and during lunch codes.
Character Formation
- Develop and implement a Character Formation Program through which school policies are upheld and student discipline is grounded in the Core Values of Mercy Education
- Respond within one school day to conduct referrals and demerits, including following up with the issuing faculty and staff members.
- Lead decision-making related to the school uniform.
- Lead the annual review of the Student and Parent Handbook.
Attendance
- Direct the day-to-day procedures of tracking and recording attendance and lateness.
- Serve as the manager of the Assistant to the Office of Student Life.
- Report attendance and lateness trends to the AHoS for Mission for early intervention.
- Partner with students' families to ensure students arrive to school each day on time.
Transportation
- Manage and serve as the point of contact for all aspects of MMA's transportation including but not limited to the MMA Shuttle; Narberth Shuttle; Township Busses, and SEPTA.
Graduation
Oversee planning and implementation of Graduation.
Student Travel
- Manage approval and supervision for field trips, club trips, overnight travel and international travel.
- Communicate to faculty when students will be out of the building at least two weeks in advance.
Student Support and Safety
- Serve as a member of the Student Support Team.
- Work with the sophomore, junior, and senior class representatives to set a meaningful agenda for monthly class meetings.
- Arrange appropriate supervision for students after school hours.
- Monthly safety drills
Merion Mercy Academy embraces diversity and inclusion through its mission, Mercy identity and student body. Merion Mercy Academy is committed to providing an educational and working environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Members of the community, applicants for employment or admissions, guests and visitors have the right to be free from harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
In addition to the aforementioned qualifications, the ideal candidate should demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives and exhibit an ability to foster an environment where all students feel valued and supported, actively engaging in efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity within the school community.
Interested candidates should send a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references to Anne Gregg, Executive Assistant to the Head of School at agregg@merion-mercy.com.
More information about working at Merion Mercy Academy can be found at www.merion-mercy.com/careers.
Merion Mercy Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its hiring practices.