Summer Academy High School Dean of Students

Student U is a community organization that uses the power of education to build a just and equitable Durham.

We empower and equip first-generation college students in Durham Public Schools, their families, and educators to become the leaders that will transform our city. Together, we're creating a Durham where all students succeed.

As a result of structural racism, poverty and other systemic injustices, we acknowledge that first generation college-bound students face significant personal and institutional obstacles to educational success. We want to change the odds for children in our community.

The Work: Our Summer Academy staff are excited to facilitate learning and create an environment for students to succeed.

We are hiring staff to work in our 5 week Summer Academy program, providing academic enrichment and structured new experiences. At Summer Academy, we are committed to helping our students feel success and growth by providing thoughtful, intentional academic experiences, and sharing our own excitement around academic content.

Thank you for your interest in becoming the Summer Academy High School Program Dean of Students

The Summer Academy High School Program Dean of Students will work closely with the Student U Summer Academy Leadership Team to plan, prepare and implement the High School Summer Academy Program. The Dean of Students will meet with the High School Program Team to co-plan upcoming events, discuss and manage student attendance, and manage student discipline processes and procedures. The Dean of Students, along with the High School Program Assistant, will also assist with providing support with the day-to-day logistics of the Summer Academy programming. The ideal candidate for this role will have experience working with youth, planning and coordinating youth programs, experience in restorative practices, and a belief in Student U's mission and values.

REQUIREMENTS
Time: Part-Time (March-May), Full-Time (June 15th - August 5th, 2026)
Ideal Start Date: March 3, 2026

Pre-Summer Job Responsibilities (~50 hours total)

In collaboration with the Summer Academy Leadership team, more specifically the High School Program Manager and High School Program Assistant, the Dean of Students will:

• Attend all pre-summer trainings
• Attend Teacher Orientation ( 2 weeks)
• Works with the High School Team and Summer Academy Leadership Team to establish a safe and secure learning environment for students. The team will develop plans for emergency situations
• Participate in the planning and implementation of pre-Summer Academy Student U-wide events (ex. Teacher Orientation, Family Day, etc)
• Support the High School Team with communication to students and families regarding Summer Academy
• Work with Program Team to structure the Summer Academy Culture & Events
• Participate in Summer Academy planning meetings & regular check-ins with the Summer Academy Leadership Team, especially the Associate Director of High School Programming and the High School Program Coordinator.

During Summer Academy Job Responsibilities:

• Participate in the planning and implementation of Summer Academy Student U-wide events (ex. College Day, Spirit Week, Brill Bash, etc)
• Create/Adjust/Edit lesson plans for non-instructional time, Meet and Greets, that builds positive culture, college readiness and promotes Student U core values.
• Track daily attendance, report absences to the HS Program Team, and problem solve solutions
• Provide additional supervision throughout the day
• With a restorative lens, the Dean of Students will help establish a student culture where diversity is encouraged and where students learn to respect differences, take responsibility for their actions, and exercise leadership
• Partner with the HIgh School Program Manager and other high school program members to develop and administer disciplinary procedures in accordance with Student U's policies and reflects our restorative practices
• Partner with the High School Program Manager and other high school program members to respond to and resolve parent and student concerns and complaints.
• Supervise students on campus before and after school(if needed); monitors students and staff during lunch, club time, and homeroom
• Perform High School teacher observations on a weekly basis
• Assist with weekly staff meeting logistics and implementation

Commitment: Part-Time (March-May), Full-Time (June - Early August)

• April 24th, 2026 Staff Launch & Training, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (in person)
• April 25th, 2026 Staff Launch & Training, 10 AM - 12:30 PM (in person)
• May 27th, 2026 Summer Teacher Check In (virtual)
• June 15th - 26th, 2026 Teacher Orientation (in person)
• Week 1: 8 AM - 3 PM
• Week 2: 7:30 AM - 3 PM
• June 19th, 2026 Student U is Closed (observing Juneteenth Holiday)
• June 20th, 2026 Family Day, 9 AM - 1 PM
• June 29th - July 31st, 2026 Summer Academy (in person), ~ 7.5 hrs daily, + 1.5 hr weekly staff meeting on Tuesdays.
• July 3rd, 2026 Student U Closed (Observing Independence Day)
• July 13th, 2026 Teacher Workday 9 AM - 2 PM (in person)
• August 3rd - August 5th, 2026 Evaluation Week, 8am - 3pm (in person)

Compensation

$17/hr - hourly rate

Anti-Discrimination Policy & Commitment to Diversity & Child Safeguarding Policy

• Student U is committed to fostering an inclusive culture within our organization where people from various backgrounds can participate fully and equitably, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to our mission.
• Student U has a commitment to ensuring the safety of our students. All staff will participate in a mental health training for young people, safety training, and Restorative Practices training during orientation.

First Round of Interviews: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026- Friday, January 23rd, 2026

Final Deadline: February 15th, 2026

Second Round of Interviews: March 3rd-4th, 2026

Ideal Start Date: March 2026

A complete application consists of a resume and a cover letter answering the following questions:

• A few facts about our students: The majority of our students attend Durham Public Schools or surrounding schools. All of our Student U students are either first generation college students or qualify for free or reduced lunch. 96% of the students we serve are also People of Color. With these facts in mind, while also acknowledging the systemic barriers our students often face, do you believe that all Student U students can succeed in high school and college? If yes, what skills do you believe students need in order to be college ready and how will you structure your classroom to ensure students gain these skills? If not, please explain.
• Rank these elements of an effective classroom in order from least to most important and explain your ranking: relevance, rigor, and relationship.
• Please respond to the following prompt in the space below. Teachers at Student U are asked to model our core values - core values) at all times including interactions with students, parents, and colleagues. Pick 1 value that resonates with you the most and speak to how that will guide your work as a teacher at Student U.

Your complete and thorough answers to the questions above will serve as your cover letter. A complete application includes a resume and a cover letter, answering 3 questions provided. If you have any specific questions about your application please contact Casey Barr-Rios, Student U's Associate Director of Human Services,

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