Dean Of Spark And Restorative Practices

Job description

Located in Jersey City, NJ , ideal for educators who live locally or currently commute into NYC and are looking for a closer, more sustainable school community.

This is a 12-month, full-time, on site role designed for educators with experience leading holistic child development and restorative practices.

This role is for the school year and will begin as soon as possible.

Company Description

Kindle Education is an intentionally diverse 6th-12th grade public charter school in Jersey City, NJ, that aims to cultivate an equitable community of purposeful individuals who are prepared to navigate our current world and build our future. We opened our doors to 66 6th grade students in 2023 and have added a grade each year since.

We are seeking a relationship-driven, systems-minded Dean of Spark & Restorative Practices for Kindle Middle School. This role owns two things: the quality of Spark advisory for every student, and the strength of restorative practice as a daily habit among students and adults.

The Dean reports to the Director of Middle School and works closely with the Dean of Culture, the Directors of Learning, and the student support team.

Job Description

Below is a brief overview, intended to be neither comprehensive nor binding. A flame is organic, never fixed, and we see the development of our school and team in the same way.

Spark Design & Facilitation

This is the center of the role. You will own the quality of Spark as a learning experience for every middle school student.

Design, sequence, and refine Spark modules, including our community change-making Bonfire Initiatives, in Headrush (Kindle’s Learning Management System) across all grade levels, aligned to Kindle's value strands, schoolwide culture goals, and developmental needs

Keep modules current and organized to Kindle's Headrush task conventions, so any facilitator who opens a module the morning of a session finds ready, accurate materials

Ensure teachers are well prepared for Spark every day in every grade level

Facilitate student and adult Spark sessions and model community circles, check-ins, and identity work for teachers

Maintain the Spark Playbook, coordinate Spark so the weekly rhythm holds together, and use student and teacher feedback to revise the arc mid-year

Restorative Practice & Community Circles

You will build the restorative repertoire that students, families, and adults trust, and make sure it gets used across campus.

Design and maintain Kindle's restorative curriculum: modules, circle scripts, reflection protocols, and repair frameworks, including the modules used inside the reKindle sequence

Facilitate proactive community circles on a predictable schedule across grade levels

Facilitate or co-facilitate repair circles and mediations at the Director of Middle School and Dean of Culture's request

Build and run a peer mediation program, developing students as mediators and circle keepers

Meet weekly with the Director of Middle School and Dean of Culture to review patterns and adjust curriculum, circle focus, restoratives, and adult coaching

Adult Coaching & Professional Learning

You will grow the culture practice of every adult in the building through modeling and support.

Serve as the primary coach for Spark facilitators on session design, pacing, facilitation moves, and circle quality

Model circles, check-ins, and repair conversations in classrooms, then debrief with the teacher

Lead professional learning on restorative practices, executive functioning, SEL, circle facilitation, de-escalation, and trauma-informed instruction, and onboard new staff into Spark and restorative expectations

Share observation patterns with school leadership and teachers to establish a consistent approach, and bring schoolwide trends to the Director of Middle School and Dean of Culture

You will make sure students who need more get more.

Facilitate Tier 2 small groups and check-in/check-out cycles that grow out of Spark and circle work

Serve on the student support team and coordinate with counselors, special education staff, and external providers on shared caseloads

Partner with families, teachers, and leaders on plans that support and track student growth, coordinating with the Dean of Culture on active reKindle efforts (behavior plans), and keep families informed about progress

Spark & Restorative Data

You will use evidence to target the work and tell the story of our culture.

Track Spark completion and module currency in Headrush; log community circles, peer mediations, and adult coaching cycles

Review Spark completion alongside behavior and attendance data with the Dean of Culture to identify patterns and target support

Report to middle school leadership on a predictable cycle: Spark health, circle volume, peer mediation activity, and growth in adult practice

Qualifications

We are looking for a compassionate, reflective, and adaptable educator who is committed to student growth and equity.

Five or more years working with middle school students in a teaching, advisory, or student support role, including two years of leadership/program management

Experience designing or maintaining advisory, SEL, or community-building curriculum for adolescents

Training or demonstrated experience in restorative practices, circle facilitation, or conflict mediation

Experience coaching or supporting adults through modeling, co-facilitation, and feedback

Comfort using data and documentation systems to track follow-through and spot patterns

Ability to manage complex situations with calm, clarity, and consistency, and to hold a clear line of ownership alongside a partner dean

Strong relationship-building and communication skills with students, families, and staff

Comfort in a fast-paced, growing school and a strong belief in diversity, equity, and intentionally integrated communities

High tolerance for fire metaphors

Preferred:

formal restorative practices training or certification; New Jersey teaching certification; conversational or fluent Spanish; experience with a competency-based or project-based learning model, with peer mediation programs, or with Headrush, DeansList, or comparable school systems.

Additional Information

We have bold aspirations for what a school can be. While we will expect a lot from our team, we will also give a lot in return, including a competitive compensation and benefits package that places a premium on your needs and those of your family. The salary range for this position is $70,000 to $90,000 , commensurate with experience.

Diversity sparks innovation, creativity, and transformation. We actively seek candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. If you are looking for a place that values all you have to offer, come help us build it. Kindle Education is an equal opportunity employer. Work authorization is required (candidates must have permanent authorization to work in the United States).

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Worksite address

jersey city, NJ, 07390, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.