College Counselor and Upper School Dean of Students

Cary Academy seeks a College Counselor/Dean of Students in our Upper School to work alongside a dynamic group of educators dedicated to serving the unique needs of middle school students. Cary Academy faculty work within a professional culture of self-reflection, growth, and a passionate pursuit of our mission. 

Cary Academy's Beliefs about Learning 

• Learning is an iterative and interdependent process.
• Taking risks, embracing struggle, and developing resilience are essential to deep and life-long learning.
• Individuals must develop self-awareness as learners and take ownership of their learning.
• Clear, ongoing, and timely feedback elicits self-reflection and drives growth.
• Physical, social, and emotional balance is essential for learning and well-being.
• The most impactful learning occurs where people, disciplines, and ideas connect to address human and community needs.
• Diverse and inclusive environments create a secure and affirming culture that enables both the individual and the community to flourish.
• Excellent teaching is the foundation of an outstanding learning community.

The Cary Academy Professional Culture 

• Above all else, we are fiercely committed to putting our students first in all that we do.
• We are relentless in the pursuit of our mission.
• We are insatiably curious, knowing that if we are open to and excited about learning, the right answers will come to us—eventually!
• Tradition matters to us, but moving forward with an eye to the new, different and unexplored matters even more.
• We deliberately seek out a broad range of backgrounds and experiences in our employees and value this as essential to allowing our community to grow and innovate.
• We share ideas, information and perspectives in a way that honors and empowers everyone and allows our community to thrive.
• We nurture meaningful relationships with community members that make us look forward to coming to work each day.
• We are self-motivated professionals who take pride in and responsibility for the work we do.

Cary Academy's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, Cary Academy encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We seek to create working and learning environments that are safe and inclusive. 

The Cary Academy Diversity Mission Statement 

"Cary Academy fosters a learning community where the richness of diversity is recognized, respected, and embraced. Our view in diversity includes, but is not limited to ability, age, appearance, gender, national origin, personal qualities, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Our vision is to nurture and sustain an equitable and inclusive environment where everyone is valued.” 

THE POSITION 

As Dean of Students:

• Assists the Head of Upper School in leading the Upper School grade leader team.
• Takes a lead role in fostering the emotional and social health of students by chairing student review meetings and through consultation with advisors, grade leaders, school counselors and learning specialists, developing goals and action plans for students in social difficulty. Oversees the successful social and emotional transition of all students new to the Upper School.
• In coordination with the Upper School Head and Assistant Upper School Head, oversees student behavior and discipline, including, but not limited to: developing, reviewing and implementing behavioral regulations in conjunction with grade leaders, lead advisors, and the Head of Upper School; managing student compliance with standards of decorum, school rules and attendance; chairing the Judicial Board; and investigating student infractions and offering procedural recommendations to the Head of Upper School.
• Directs and coordinates major student-life activities, including, but not limited to: convocation, grade level class trips, and Spirit Week, as well as assemblies and other school events as directed.
• Works with Experiential Learning Director to develop and sustain clubs and affinity groups.
• Confers with the Middle School Assistant Head to address cross-divisional coordination of student events and activities.
• Eats lunch in the dining hall each day during the Upper School lunch period.
• Supports students by attending a variety of student performances, events and competitions each year.
• Shares responsibility for transporting students to school activities by occasionally driving a 14-passenger school activity bus.
• Participates in an annual grade level trip.

As College Counselor:

• Helps to develop and implement a four-year college counseling program.
• Guides all aspects of the college search and application process, including writing compelling recommendations for a portion of the senior class, depending on other responsibilities.
• Serves as point person for 9 and 10 grade students and families.
• Stays knowledgeable about scholarships and financial aid processes and provides general advice to students and parents.
• Builds relationships with faculty and students by attending school events regularly and participating in the full life of the school.

Maintains relationships with colleges.

• Engages actively in the school’s diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism work in furtherance of Cary Academy’s commitment to equity and justice. In conjunction with manager, identifies and pursues ongoing professional development. Completes all required administrative, operational, and professional development tasks and activities in a responsive and timely manner per school operating policies and procedures. Performs other projects and duties as assigned.

The individual in this position must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong knowledge of Upper School operations with particular emphasis upon student conduct.
• Assess and effectively handle student discipline issue with faculty, students, and parents.

The individual in this position is expected to:

• Establish meaningful relationships with all students in ways that foster the development of the whole child.
• Work with faculty in ways that nurture professional collaboration, exchange and growth.
• Effectively lead employee teams and manage individual employee performance.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with all constituent groups in an appropriate & timely manner. Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Design and implement innovative, engaging and age-appropriate curricula.
• Employ a broad range of instructional strategies to address the varying needs of students.
• Use technology creatively and effectively to enhance teaching and learning.
• Contribute actively to Cary Academy’s extracurricular program.
• Drive a school activity bus as needed and to travel overnight with students on grade level trips. (Valid driver’s license required).
• Work collegially with employees, parents and members of the Cary Academy and external community in a highly collaborative environment. Work effectively with vendors, contractors, and/or other business partners, professionals, and outside organizations.
• Maintain confidentiality and interact with students, parents, and employees as well as internal and external constituents with sensitivity and understanding.
• Perform position responsibilities in a professional manner that models and ensures a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and work environment and upholds the school’s commitment to its cornerstones (the mission, the vision, the values, the beliefs, the employee culture and the portraits of a teacher and a graduate).
• Maintain a commitment to ongoing professional learning and growth, including adapting to the ongoing usage of technology at Cary Academy.
• Meet the expectation of regular, predictable, and reliable attendance

Education: Bachelor’s degree in related field; advanced degree preferred.

Experience: At least 8 years of full-time teaching (or related) experience with Upper School students, including at least 3 years administrative experience in a teacher-leader role involving either academics or student life. Additionally, at least 5 years of college counseling experience at a secondary school or 5 years of experience in the admissions office at a selective college/university, or a combination of both.

Equivalency: Directly related experience or a combination of directly related education and experience may be considered in place of the above requirements.