Back to Jobs

Dean of Students and Community Life

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.

Posted: February 2020
This is a Direct to School Job

Applications for this position will be received directly by the school and will not be reviewed by Teach Away's Placement Coordinators.

Any communication about the job will take place directly between you and the institution. Tracking of your application status will take place within the application tracking system used by the school you are applying to (outside of your Teach Away Dashboard).

Please note that Teach Away provides information on behalf of schools and cannot accept liability for information provided or policies schools may adopt. Be sure to verify all details that apply to you, and check for the latest visa and work permit requirements. For any questions regarding job postings, please contact the school directly. Teach Away believes in diversity and inclusivity, and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and be considered fairly and equally for employment. We ensure all schools we work with adhere to our pledge to promote inclusivity and diversity in education and recruitment practices.

LocationShenzhen, China
Start DateAugust 2020
Eligible CandidatesDistrict/Regional Level Administrator, Director/Principal
Student LevelHigh School
Monthly SalaryUSD 10834
Number of Vacancies1

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

Qualifications and Requirements

Required Certificates
Teaching Credential/License
Education RequiredBachelor
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