Terrell I.S.D. Job Description
Terrell Independent School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer
No person shall, on the basis of national origin, race, gender, creed, religion, age, or handicap, be excluded from
participation in, be denied the benefit of, or subjected to discrimination in employment, or recruitment consideration,
or selection for full or part-time professional positions in the Terrell Independent School District.
In accordance with Terrell I.S.D. Board Policy DC (LOCAL) the following position is open:
Job Title: Dean of Students Work Days: 194
Reports to: Head Start Director Pay Grade: According to TISD Salary Schedule
Dept./School: W. H. Burnett Early Childhood Center Start Date: Until Filled
Contact Person: Jasmine Castaneda FEDERALLY FUNDED POSITION
Human Resources Specialist
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Primary Purpose
Provide leadership and coordination for student support systems within the Head Start program to promote safe,
nurturing, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environments in which young children can develop
socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically.
The Dean of Students works collaboratively with the Head Start Director, campus/program administrators, teachers,
instructional staff, mental health and disability services personnel, family services staff, parents/guardians, and
community partners to strengthen student attendance, positive behavior supports, social-emotional development,
school readiness, family engagement, and successful participation in the Head Start program.
The Dean of Students provides leadership in addressing student behavioral and attendance concerns while ensuring
that interventions and responses are consistent with Head Start Program Performance Standards, district policies
and procedures, applicable state and federal requirements, and developmentally appropriate early childhood
practices.
The Dean of Students serves as a key liaison among students, families, teachers, and program leadership and
assists in identifying and removing barriers that may interfere with a child's successful participation in the Head Start
program.
Qualifications
Education/Certification
Required:
Master's degree from an accredited college or university in education, early childhood education, child
development, social work, counseling, psychology, educational leadership, or a related field.
Texas principal certification
Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-age children.
Ability to meet all Head Start, district, and state requirements applicable to the position.
Training or certification in trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports,
Conscious Discipline, restorative practices, or comparable early childhood behavior-support systems,
preferred
Class certification within the first 6 months of employment
Special Knowledge/Skills
Strong knowledge of early childhood development, particularly social-emotional and behavioral
development.
Knowledge of Head Start philosophy, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and comprehensive
child and family services.
Knowledge of developmentally appropriate behavior guidance and positive behavior intervention strategies.
Understanding of Head Start requirements related to suspension, expulsion, mental health consultation,
disabilities, attendance, family engagement, and child safety.
Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and the impact of adverse experiences on young children and
families.
Ability to distinguish developmentally expected behavior from behavior requiring targeted or intensive
intervention.
Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate individual student support and behavior intervention
plans.
Ability to analyze attendance, behavior, developmental, and program data to identify trends and determine
appropriate interventions.
Strong interpersonal, conflict-resolution, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills.
Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with young children, families, staff, administrators, and
community partners.
Ability to facilitate difficult conversations while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and a family-
centered approach.
Ability to coordinate services across multiple departments and disciplines.
Knowledge of confidentiality requirements, including FERPA and other applicable federal and state
requirements.
Experience
Required:
Minimum of three years of successful professional experience working with children, families, schools, early
childhood programs, social services, counseling, or a related field.
Preferred:
Experience in Head Start, Early Head Start, public prekindergarten, early childhood education, student
services, counseling, behavior support, or campus/program leadership.
Experience coordinating student intervention systems or multidisciplinary support teams.
Experience working with children and families experiencing economic hardship or other barriers to
educational participation.
Major Responsibilities and Duties
Student Support and School Readiness
- Provide leadership for systems designed to support children's successful participation in the Head Start
program, including social-emotional development, positive behavior, attendance, engagement, and school
readiness.
- Collaborate with teachers and other program staff to identify children experiencing behavioral, social-
emotional, attendance, adjustment, or participation concerns.
- Promote practices that teach children self-regulation, emotional identification, problem-solving, relationship
skills, appropriate communication, and other social-emotional competencies.
Positive Behavior Support and Intervention
- Assist teachers in identifying possible antecedents, environmental factors, developmental needs,
communication difficulties, trauma-related factors, or other conditions contributing to challenging behavior.
- Monitor the effectiveness of interventions and facilitate adjustments when student progress indicates
additional or different supports are needed.
- Support program leadership in ensuring that suspension is used only under circumstances permitted by
applicable Head Start requirements and that all appropriate intervention and support strategies have been
considered.
Attendance and Engagement
- Monitor student attendance data and identify patterns of chronic or excessive absence that may interfere
with program participation or school readiness.
- Work with families to develop practical strategies for improving consistent attendance while recognizing
transportation, health, housing, employment, and other barriers families may experience.
- Analyze attendance trends by classroom, program site, student group, or other relevant categories and
provide reports and recommendations to program leadership.
Family Engagement
- Establish respectful, strengths-based relationships with parents and guardians and recognize families as
essential partners in children's development and school success.
- Facilitate conferences involving families, teachers, administrators, specialists, and other staff when
coordinated intervention is needed.
- Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate sensitivity when working with families experiencing challenging
circumstances.
Mental Health, Disabilities, and Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Work collaboratively with the program's mental health professionals or consultants to support children's
social-emotional and behavioral needs.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings regarding students receiving or being considered for additional
services.
- Help ensure behavioral concerns are not addressed in ways that improperly exclude students because of an
actual or suspected disability.
Staff Coaching and Professional Development
- Provide coaching, modeling, and support to teachers and instructional staff regarding classroom
management, positive behavior guidance, relationship-building, de-escalation, and social-emotional
development.
- Assist teachers in creating predictable, nurturing, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate
classroom environments.
- Assist program leadership in planning and delivering professional learning related to student behavior,
attendance, trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, family engagement, and other areas
within the scope of the position.
Student Safety and Crisis Response
- Ensure appropriate staff and administrators are notified when incidents involve potential abuse, neglect,
threats to safety, or other mandatory reporting concerns.
- Follow all district and Head Start requirements related to child supervision, active supervision, safety,
confidentiality, and mandatory reporting.
- Assist with arrival, dismissal, transportation, transitions, and other student supervision responsibilities as
needed.
Program Compliance and Documentation
- Maintain accurate and confidential documentation related to student behavior, attendance, interventions,
family contacts, referrals, meetings, and services.
- Assist the Head Start Director in monitoring program practices for compliance with applicable Head Start
Program Performance Standards related to student support, behavior, attendance, mental health,
disabilities, and family engagement.
- Assist with the collection, analysis, and presentation of data related to attendance, behavior, interventions,
student support, and program effectiveness.
- program practices.
Program Leadership
- Provide leadership and administrative support in the absence of or at the direction of the Head Start
Director, within the authority delegated to the position.
- Develop positive working relationships with district departments, community agencies, early childhood
providers, mental health professionals, and other organizations supporting Head Start children and families.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Start Director or district administration.
Other
- Maintain friendly customer service-driven interactions with all stakeholders, students, teachers,
administrators, and co-workers.
- Work cooperatively with co-workers and supervisors to ensure that the goals of the school/department are
met.
- Maintain a positive and professional tone in all communications (i.e., email, written, and verbal)
- Perform other duties and accept other responsibilities as assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervise, evaluate, and/or provide functional leadership to assigned personnel as designated by the Head Start
Director and district administration.
The Dean of Students may provide coaching, direction, and support to teachers and other program personnel without
serving as their formal appraiser unless specifically authorized and appropriately certified to perform such duties.
Working Conditions
Mental Demands
Maintain emotional control under stress; work with frequent interruptions; manage multiple priorities and deadlines;
communicate effectively with children, families, employees, and administrators; respond appropriately to emotionally
charged situations; exercise sound judgment and discretion; maintain confidentiality; and respond effectively to
student behavioral or safety concerns.
Physical Demands
Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, and sitting; ability to move throughout classrooms and
program facilities; ability to work at children's physical level; occasional lifting and carrying consistent with assigned
duties; and ability to respond quickly when necessary to ensure child safety.
Environmental Demands
Work primarily in early childhood classroom and office environments; regular interaction with young children;
exposure to noise and frequent interruptions; occasional exposure to bodily fluids and childhood illnesses; occasional
district and community travel; and occasional extended or irregular work hours.
Daily in person attendance is an essential function for this position.
Application Procedures
District Employees:
- Complete an internal application online at https://www.applitrack.com/terrellisd/onlineapp/
a. You may attach an updated resume
b. You may attach a letter of interest addressing how your background and experience relate to the
position's responsibilities and qualifications
- Other credentials as applicable
Outside Applicants:
- Online Application https://www.applitrack.com/terrellisd/onlineapp
a. You may attach a resume and a letter of interest addressing how your background and experience relate
to the position's responsibilities and qualifications
b. Other credentials as applicable
- Official transcript(s) will be requested after a recommendation for hire is received
Terrell ISD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its
programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The
following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies:
Melissa Nichols; Executive Director of Human Resources
700 North Catherine Street
Terrell, Texas 75160
Office Number: 972-563-7504
Email: melissa.nichols@terrellisd.org
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an
exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.