Educators for Quality Alternatives

EQA serves students who have dropped out, been expelled from, or have struggled academically or behaviorally in traditional settings and are looking for an accelerated path to graduation. There are three high school campuses, EQA: Central City which opened in 2011, EQA: Gentilly which opened in 2017, and a third high school campus, The NET: East, which opened in 2020 as a merger with ReNEW Accelerated High School. Students at the high schools earn a high school diploma and participate in internships, career counseling, and career training in various fields including construction, medical, and digital media.  EQA also serves middle school students through The Bridge Middle School, a therapeutic program for 7th and 8th grade struggling students. For all settings, our goal is that our students leave school with the skills, confidence and experience necessary to succeed in the career and education path of their choice. 

Position Summary

Over 50% of students at EQA struggle with behavior or mental health issues and many have been expelled from their prior schools. Thus one of the school’s most important missions is to help students improve their behavior and conflict management skillfulness.  This is done through building transformational relationships, practicing restorative approaches, and consistently and lovingly holding students accountable for growing. As an Assistant Dean at EQA you are not “punishing” or “fixing” students, you are leveraging therapeutic and other research-based strategies to help young people develop.

Roles and Responsibilities 

EQA Dean is responsible for:

• Managing the team of deans and liasing with the school's leadership team
• Building genuine and transformational relationships with every student
• Using, and supporting other staff in using, restorative approaches including but not limited to leading restorative conversations, developing student plans, and mediating conflicts
• Managing student check in and the front office, which includes maintaining building safety
• Maintaining a warm and welcoming environment for the front entrance to the school
• Managing student check outs
• Managing bus passes as well as student cell phones
• Screening building visitors
• Answering the front desk phone
• Supporting student attendance through calls, home visits, and other initiatives
• Teaching and maintaining student expectations regarding dress, electronics, etc.
• De-escalating students who are in crisis
• Investigating and problem-solving student issues and concerns
• Establishing and maintaining strong communication with students, teachers, and parents and family members
• Documenting and following up on all incidents, issues, resolutions, or next steps with students
• Developing and implementing culture building practices including but not limited to student orientation, student handbook design, classroom circles, trips, and Town Halls
• Supporting the Dean of Students and leaders with other projects as appropriate

Position Requirements:

• BA or BS required
• Experience with and commitment to working restoratively with students with emotional and behavior struggles
• Deeply respectful, calm, and de-escalating approach to students in crisis

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Flexible, open to change, quick-learning, self-directed, and able to manage in a highly dynamic and fast paced environment
• Learning mindset dedicated to effectively and innovatively problem solving and constantly improving

• Comfortable with excel, databases and online communication

• Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for being a part of a strong, mission-driven teams
• Commitment to EQA’s mission, vision and growth

Details

• Start Date: ASAP
• Schedule: School is year-round with a generous leave schedule. 
• Location: 12000 Hayne Blvd.
• Salary: $40,000-$50,000 depending upon experience. Initial salary is set based on years of experience and degrees. Future salary increases and bonuses are based on performance and responsibilities.
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits and generous 403b retirement plan
• Reports to: Dean of Students