Dean of Academic (starting July 2025)

Overview

The Island School, a not-for-profit organization based in The Bahamas, was founded to create and support transformational educational experiences with the vision of leadership effecting change, on the island of Eleuthera. The diverse educational initiatives, including our High School Semester and Summer Term, Deep Creek Middle School, Elementary Learning Center, and our Community Engagement and Partnerships, deliver unique educational journeys in conjunction with the authentic and meaningful work our organization undertakes in research and sustainable development at the Cape Eleuthera Institute, our research, and innovation hub. We are reimagining what education is for, and redesigning how education is delivered. 

Job Summary

As part of the Semester administrative team, the Semester Academic Dean will possess a demonstrated career commitment to education and a passion for experiential, interdisciplinary programs and curriculum design. The Academic Dean will provide leadership in the areas of administrative support and technical assistance to staff and students; student support, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and planning; and assist the school in strengthening instructional programs through a strategically planned. The Academic Dean provides guidance to instructors to ensure that each course is appropriate for students and that they align with other course offerings in rigor and scope. The Academic Dean sets a professional tone for the program and serves as a positive role model for staff and students. Additionally, the Academic Dean will work closely with teachers to refine and support curricula in all disciplines including art, social studies, English, science, mathematics, and research. 

Responsibilities

• Oversee the student academic experience from pre-semester to final debrief activities
• Continually meet with advisors and teachers to ensure all students receive a quality academic experience
• Coordinate all student reports
• Support students through technology challenges
• Communicate with schools and families when needed
• Schedule and participate in academic conferences
• Create and post weekly HW calendars
• Create a semester academic calendar
• Act as the liaison between semester staff and researchers
• Create systems to improve all parts of the academic program
• Oversee and manage the missing HW log
• Work closely and collaboratively with other members of the Semester and Island School leadership team to deliver a unique, continuously improving, high-quality experiential academic program
• Coordinate curriculum review and development for all subject areas and collaborate with specific subject teachers to ensure high-quality teaching and learning
• Collaborate with researchers, staff and other school employees to enhance the student experience and utilize our campus, resources, and location as a classroom
• Along with the Dean of Students, create learner profiles for incoming students and share relevant information with the Semester and Research teams
• Provide ongoing professional development to the Semester faculty on place-based instruction and progressive assessment strategies
• Support instructional staff, encourage collaboration between instructors and gather information through classroom observations to include providing feedback
• Along with the Semester and Research teams, coordinate culminating experiences such as student demonstrations of learning and research presentations
• Organize and oversee all academic reporting to students, families, and sending schools to include organizing the reporting logistics and process
• Serve as a positive and supportive resource to instructional staff
• Work professionally and cooperatively within the school community and broader South Eleuthera community
• Participate in all aspects of the Semester experience including morning exercise, duty, student activities, teaching and advising where applicable

Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in the following areas: academic administration, residential life; teaching; experiential or outdoor education and managing others.
• Passion and enthusiasm for working with adolescents in a residential setting and for supporting students in intellectual and wilderness pursuits.
• A commitment to culturally diverse teaching and demonstrated intercultural competence
• Strong management and organizational skills
• A significant time and energy commitment to the program
• Be high energy, compassionate, collaborative and inspiring and willing to take constructive risks
• Appreciation for physical challenge and the confidence that comes with challenging oneself physically and mentally
• Willingness to obtain and maintain current WFR, CPR and other relevant certifications
• Thrive in a small and tight-knit community located in a remote part of The Bahamas

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation & Benefits  

• Salary commensurate with experience
• Housing, including utilities and wifi available for off island candidates
• Access to dining hall for on-campus meals when available
• Medical insurance; Life Insurance; Dental reimbursement
• 4 weeks paid vacation
• Eligibility for matching retirement plan after two years of service
• Professional development opportunities

Schedule  

This is a full-time, leadership position with an annual review. Four weeks (20 days) of vacation time is provided, with additional remote work flexibility between fall and spring semesters and in the summer.  The Island School operates year round and working hours vary depending on needs. Evening and weekend work will be required. Special events will require periods of time outside of normal working hours when staff must be on-site for extended periods. Given the degree to which this position is a leadership role within the organization, the successful candidate should expect and desire to work a variable and mission-driven schedule.