Featured Job

Dean of Students and Community Life

Shenzhen Vanke Meisha Academy

Shenzhen, China

US 10834 a month

Housing allowance provided on a monthly basis

Annual airfare reimbursement of up to USD 3,000

Start August 2020

Job
School

Contract Length: 3 years

Number of Vacancies: 1

Student Level:

High School

Eligible Candidates:

District/Regional Level Administrator, Director/Principal

School Requirements:

Education Required: Bachelor
Minimum Teaching Experience: 10 years of teaching experience
Required Certificates:
Teaching Credential/License

Additional School Requirements:

Master’s degree in education, counseling, adolescent psychology, or a related field
At least 10 years of experience leading student life programs (dorm life, discipline, student activities, etc.)
Has designed, implemented, and evaluated at least two school-wide student wellness programs
National Certified School Psychologist preferred
Administrator credential preferred
Bilingual fluency in English and Mandarin preferred

Personal characteristics

Absolutely required: a love of building relationships with students. This position will entail meeting with students during and beyond work hours, attending student events, and visiting the dorms to hold informal meetings and conversations
Committed to the learning and growth of students and teachers
Sharing good practices with colleagues, leading by example and promoting high standards in the delivery of the curriculum
Being fully involved with the life of the school both inside and outside the classroom
Modeling the highest standards of professional practice and interaction with students
Inspiring and motivating the School community towards high educational standards
Understanding, applying and sharing contemporary educational research, theory and practice in pedagogy, assessment, and reporting
Demonstrating and sharing the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in building trust and a positive learning atmosphere across the School community
Communicating, negotiating, collaborating and building partnerships effectively while relating to the whole school community
Understanding the different demographic groups within the VMA community and is able to work effectively with them
Developing strategies to ensure educational opportunity for all students and staff

Job Benefits:

Global health insurance
Relocation allowance
Annual airfare reimbursement of up to USD 3,000
Housing allowance provided on a monthly basis
Pension plan
Holiday and allowance and birthday benefit
Generous domestic and international professional development
China social insurance
178 annual paid non-working days
Mandarin classes
Bilingual staff to assist with any needs

Job Description:

The Dean of Students and Community Life is responsible for all elements of student life and community engagement beyond the classroom. The Dean of Students and Community Life will collaborate regularly with the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Student Wellness Center (SWC) office to develop, implement, and execute programs designed to ensure student and community well-being and success consistent with the VMA Mission to develop the following student capacities: collaboration, determination, accountability to self and community, citizenship, leadership, responsibility, and integrity. Under the supervision of the Dean of Students and Community Life, the VMA academic, extracurricular, and residential programs will be known for preparing every student, every day for success in college and beyond.

Job goals

To develop a student life program that leads students toward greater autonomy
To establish a strict but fair culture of discipline that emphasizes student accountability and respect for authority
To cultivate in students a joy in serving the community through personally and intellectually fulfilling work
To collaborate with other school leaders to ensure that students consistently have the opportunity for meaningful peer and faculty interaction
To lead and train faculty to meet the demands of VMA’s student life program

Performance responsibilities

Monitoring and responding to the health of our student body by regularly visiting the dorms, attending student functions, observing classrooms, and speaking with counselors
Working with the Dean of Students and Community life to augment the residential program to develop in students good habits, character, and healthy relationships with friends, teachers, and the larger community
Lead the design and implementation of a Health course for students
Designing, organizing, and leading the faculty training required to execute their programs
Designing, organizing, and directing a system of accountability for faculty’s continued growth toward serving students’ extracurricular and emotional needs
Overseeing student counseling and managing school psychologists
Managing the discipline system, including convening and leading Disciplinary Committee hearings as needed, and writing/updating policies and documents
Leading, managing, and supervising the Student Wellness Center office
Ascertaining the SWC staff recruitment needs in terms of psychologists, student mentors, and other positions
Participating in school-wide activities including but not limited to festivals, sporting events, parent conferences, student recruiting events, and summer camps

Current projects

Developing a program to help students complete their 150 required volunteer hours in an impactful and personally meaningful way
Building relationships with area private and non-profit organizations to establish a diverse range of student internship opportunities
Overseeing the Duke of Edinburgh Program, including publicizing and managing the application process
Evaluating and improving the Student Orientation Camp
Evaluating and improving the VMA Summer Camp
Evaluating and improving the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) operations to maintain smooth, positive, and constructive communication between the school and parents about student wellness programs

NOTE: As a representative of the school, this educational administrator may work more than 40 hours a week, including late nights and weekends. It can be said the Dean is on call for students, faculty and the institution at all times.

This is a Direct to School Job

About the School:

Introduction to Vanke Meisha Academy:

Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) is a private, international, bilingual boarding high school that contributes to the betterment of society by cultivating respectful, responsible, highly skilled leaders ready to be of service to the world. Excellent teachers and a proactive counseling program deliver an innovative curriculum, emphasize academic achievement, impart healthy habits, and inspire student engagement and both interpersonal and emotional growth. Committed to maximizing every community member's potential, we support over 70 student-run organizations and generously fund faculty professional growth. We are proud to announce that, as a result of our efforts, we were fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)!

Our 653,000-square-foot state-of-the-art campus is in the clean and beautiful beach resort district of Shenzhen, China. The campus offers clean air and an impeccable natural environment in addition to gym facilities and beach access. Furthermore, we are less than 30 minutes away from the bustling global metropolis of Hong Kong, and approximately 20 minutes away from the Shenzhen city center.

About the Curriculum:

VMA offers three major curriculum programs: Sino-US Integrated Curriculum (US Track), Sino-UK Integrated Curriculum (UK Track), and VMAA Curriculum (VMAA, namely Vanke Meisha Arts Academy). Students in the three programs can apply to universities all over the world for further study, not just in one country or region.

About Shenzhen:

Shenzhen, known as "China's Silicon Valley," is a large, young, and vibrant city with a burgeoning technology industry that promises continued economic growth. Despite its relative youth, the city is a bustling global metropolis with its stock exchange, highly developed and accessible public transportation, a growing population of accomplished, sophisticated, and motivated ex-pats, and access to all Western amenities including food and nightlife. Furthermore, Shenzhen is located only 30 minutes away from the global financial and cultural metropolis of Hong Kong, one of the most developed cities in the world. Together, the Shenzhen and Hong Kong international airports offer you easy access to all of Asia. VMA is located in Dameisha, the beach resort section of Shenzhen, which promises clean air, low traffic congestion, and a fantastic living experience.

More Information

This is a Direct to School Job

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