< BACKLower School Dean of StudentsPosted : February 16, 2026
Department(s) : LS Faculty Job Status : Full Time
About Shefa
The Shefa School is a Jewish community day school in Manhattan serving students in grades K-8 who benefit from a specialized educational environment in order to develop their strengths while addressing their learning challenges. We specifically serve students with language-based learning disabilities who have not yet reached their potential levels of success in traditional classroom settings. Shefa is a pluralistic community school, serving families across the range of Jewish involvement and observance. At Shefa, we believe that differences are a source of strength and that we are all enriched by a diversity of perspectives.
About the Position
The Shefa School is seeking a full-time Lower School Dean of Students to join our Lower School Leadership Team. This is a 10-month faculty position.
Key Responsibilities
• Mentor and provide coaching in classroom management to Lower School faculty members. • Support student behavior and discipline under the direction of the Heads of Lower School, including implementing appropriate consequences. • Work collaboratively with teachers and the psychology team to create proactive and reactive behavior management plans in response to student needs. • Communicate proactively with families regarding behavioral concerns and progress, ensuring consistent and compassionate home-school communication in partnership with classroom teachers and the psychology team. • Partner with school leadership and psychology team to address student services and special support needs. • Collaborate with administration, psychology team, specials teachers, and other staff to implement Responsive Classroom practices and Social-Emotional Learning curriculum across the Lower School. • Provide on-the-ground behavioral support during arrival, lunch, and dismissal. • Lead occasional professional development workshops for staff on topics related to classroom management and behavior.
Qualifications
• Master's degree in Special Education, School Leadership, School Psychology/Counseling, or a closely related field • Minimum of 5 years of experience working in a special education setting, preferably at the elementary level • Demonstrates experience leading student behavior systems, including proactive supports, restorative/problem-solving practices, crisis intervention, and developmentally appropriate consequences • Exhibits skill in building a positive school culture through community-building routines (e.g., Responsive Classroom structures and SEL skill-building); training or certification in Responsive Classroom preferred • Experience mentoring and coaching teachers in classroom management, including providing constructive feedback through observation and coaching cycles • Understanding of the intersection between learning disabilities and social-emotional development, including the impact of executive function challenges on behavior • Strong written communication skills (family follow-up, behavior plans, meeting notes) • Proven ability to collaborate effectively with psych/clinical teams, administrators, teachers, and related service providers, and to build strong, responsive relationships with families through consistent home-school communication • Cultural competency and experience working with diverse family structures and backgrounds • Proficiency with student information systems and behavior tracking/documentation tools
Salary $80,000 - $120,000 commensurate with experience
Send Cover Letter & Resume to jobs@shefaschool.org
Job Description (PDF) Lower School Dean of Students