Director of School Culture & Engagement (2025-2026)

Reports to: Principal
Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm + some out-of-school responsibilities, after-hours responsibilities (as determined by Principal)
Compensation: $93,600 - $125,791 (We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other. We take into consideration qualifications, credentials, years of experience, and one's impact on behalf of the organization - internal and external equity is taken seriously. East Harlem Scholars Academies also offers a comprehensive benefits package.)
FLSA Status: Exempt 

Who We Are

East Harlem Scholars Academies are community-based Pre-K to 12 public charter schools operated by East Harlem Tutorial Program (EHTP). EHTP began in 1958 as a children's reading group and has since grown into a multi-site after-school program for traditional public school students and a network of public charter schools focused on significantly increasing the college graduation rate in East Harlem. We are on track to serve at least 25% of East Harlem students by 2025, with enrollment for this year at approximately 2200 students in our schools and after-school programs. In 2020, 99% of our seniors were accepted to college, and our current scholars in college are on track to graduate at eight times the national average of their peers.

At EHTP, we aim to serve as an agent of change and thoughtfully contribute to the national fight for racial equity. Through our organization-wide commitment to anti-racism work, we prepare our scholars to effect change, challenge the status quo, and thrive in the world around them. As staff members, we face our own racial identities and conscious and unconscious biases. With this in mind, all of our professional development, curriculum, organizational materials, and processes are designed with a goal of racial justice. Read our racial equity statement here.

We ground all of our work in racial equity, in our core values, and in our four guiding pursuits: the Revolutionary Pursuit of Love, the Radical Pursuit of Knowledge, the Responsive Pursuit of Healing, and the Relentless Pursuit of Results. These pursuits inform and are reflected in our current four key strategic priorities: to increase high-impact, high-quality academic curriculum, programming content, staff capacity, and coaching; to embrace and advance our use of technology; to deepen our embodiment of ethical and equitable radical humanity; and to efficiently operationalize teaching, learning, community, and care.

For more information about Scholars Academies, please visit us at www.eastharlemscholars.org.

About the Opportunity

The mission of the Director of School Culture & Family Engagement is fostering a positive, inclusive, and engaging school culture where all students feel safe, valued, and supported. This leader will design and implement systems that promote strong classroom environments, social-emotional learning (SEL), restorative justice, student leadership, and strong family-school partnerships. As a key member of the school leadership team, the Director of School Culture & Family Engagement works closely with students, teachers, families, and community partners to ensure that the school environment is one where students can thrive academically and socially. They are responsible for coaching and evaluating teachers and teacher leaders. They take action on school-wide trends, culture systems, classroom environments and family engagement practices in partnership and consultation with the other members of the school’s leadership team. 

Areas of Leadership

• Designing and executing a comprehensive school culture plan aligned with the school's mission and values. 
• Drive the vision and implementation of school culture through effective management of the CST team.
• Foster a school culture of joy, high expectations, and inclusivity, ensuring that students feel safe, valued, and challenged.
• Lead the development and implementation of behavior management strategies that meet the diverse needs of students, including English Language Learners and students with IEPs.
• Develop and support teachers and staff to maintain strong classrooms and common picture systems through coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Implement restorative justice and trauma-informed practices to build a positive and supportive school community.
• Cultivate strong family and community engagement, fostering meaningful partnerships between school, home, and the broader community.
• Serve as a manager and/or coach to a portfolio of teachers
• Collaborate with the Director of Inclusive Learning to complete Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans of students with IEPs or students in the Initial Referral process.
• Oversee professional development opportunities for all staff as it relates to strong classroom management, common picture excellence, and behavioral intervention.
• Act as a mediator in resolving conflicts among students, staff, and parents.
• Implement conflict resolution strategies that promote understanding and cooperation.
• Utilize data to assess the effectiveness of culture-related initiatives and make data- driven decisions for continuous improvement.
• Prepare regular reports for school leadership on culture-related metrics and trends.
• Serve as a visible, present, and engaged leader, modeling professionalism, equity, and a commitment to student success.

Who You Are

• Education: A Master’s Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, Special Education or a related field.

• At least 3 years of teaching or school culture dean experience

• At least 2 years of school leadership experience, including coaching teachers

• A strong believer in anti-racism education, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma-informed practices.

• Experience implementing restorative justice and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives

• Proven ability to develop and inspire teachers, providing coaching, feedback, and professional growth opportunities.

• Strong relationship-building skills with students, families, and staff.

• A strategic thinker who can manage school-wide initiatives, schedules, and resources effectively.

• Ability to navigate challenges with flexibility, resilience, and a solutions-oriented mindset.

• Demonstrates timeliness, accountability, and ethical leadership in all responsibilities.

• Maintains a growth mindset, embracing feedback and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities & Leadership Areas

School Culture & Student Engagement

• Lead the development of a positive and equitable school culture aligned with EHTP’s mission, core values, and anti-racism work.

• Design and implement restorative justice and trauma-informed behavior support practices to reduce exclusionary discipline and build student accountability.

• Support teachers in creating nurturing, structured classroom communities that uphold high expectations for academics and behavior.

• Develop and oversee student leadership programs that empower scholars to take an active role in their school community.

• Analyze school culture data (attendance, behavior trends, student surveys) and lead action planning for continuous improvement.

• Conduct regular school culture walkthroughs to maintain a high bar of excellence

Behavioral Support & Restorative Practices

• Oversee the school-wide behavior response system, ensuring that discipline practices are fair and transparent.

• Train and coach teachers and staff on proactive classroom management and de-escalation techniques.

• Serve as the final point of escalation for high-level behavior concerns, working with students, families, and staff to develop solutions.

• Ensure that students receive appropriate interventions for social-emotional and behavioral needs, in partnership with the Director of Inclusive Learning, Assistant Principals and school counselors/social workers.

• Drive the vision and implementation of school-wide and class-based behavior management systems

• Write, update and maintain systems and policies for attendance, entry, breakfast, class transitions, cafeteria usage, lunch, bathroom usage, dismissal and homework.

• Create meaningful incentives to reward good behavior and effective consequences to correct misbehaviors.

• Analyze school-wide trends in attendance, behavior, homework and class transitions, communicate these trends to staff and lead initiatives to address challenges.

Family & Community Engagement

• Develop and lead family engagement strategies that build strong, trusting relationships between families and the school.

• Develop, support, and lead student enrollment and retention initiatives.

• Act as the primary family liaison, ensuring that concerns and feedback are heard, addressed, and incorporated into school improvement efforts.

• Organize and facilitate family workshops, events, and advisory councils to support academic and social-emotional learning at home.

• Partner with community organizations to provide resources, mentorship programs, and extracurricular opportunities for students and families.

• Coordinate the activities of the Family Leadership Council.

• Establish protocols and best practices to ensure that teachers communicate regularly with parents.

Attendance & Student Support

• Monitor and improve student attendance rates, working with families to address barriers to consistent school attendance.

• Develop early warning systems to identify students at risk of disengagement and implement targeted interventions.

• Ensure a strong transition plan for new students and families, supporting them in acclimating to the school community.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Serve as a key member of the school leadership team, ensuring alignment between academic, cultural, and operational priorities.

• Coach and develop members of the CST team towards school culture vision for common picture systems, classroom environment, and family engagement.

• Proactively and as needed, coach teachers on best classroom practices and practices for building strong relationships with students and families.

• Provide professional development on social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and family engagement.

• Lead school-wide initiatives in all aspects of school culture.

Intervention & Special Education Compliance

• Partner with the Director of Inclusive Learning to respond to high-level behavior incidents (e.g. suspensions) and ensure alignment with network policy with the Senior Director of School Culture & Family Engagement and Senior Director of Inclusive Learning

• Work closely with the Director of Inclusive Learning to ensure student behavior interventions align with restorative justice and trauma-informed practices.

• Train and support teachers in identifying students in need of Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions and implementing effective support strategies.

Teacher Hiring, Coaching & Support

• Partner directly with the principal to hire, coach, and support teachers via a rigorous selection model and robust coaching and professional development program

• Ensure that instructional staff receives accurate and timely information regarding performance and professional responsibilities

• Implement and oversee performance improvement plans, as necessary

• Actively contribute to decisions regarding staff retention

Leadership & Professional Growth

• Serve as a role model for staff and students, demonstrating professionalism and integrity.

• Continuously engage in professional development and leadership training.

• Work closely with network leaders to align school goals with organizational priorities.

Commitment to Out of School Time

• Collaborate with the Managing Director of OST and school-based Program Managers to ensure alignment between the academic day and OST.

• Support staff to ensure the smooth administration and effectiveness of OST (Out of School Time)

School-Based Responsibilities

• Support school wide programs including but not limited to: common picture duties (e.g. lunch, recess, etc.), maintaining a homeroom or advisory, supporting students in field experiences

• Adapt and prepare to implement duties and responsibilities as outlined by the Principal.