Upper School Dean, Class of 2029

Riverdale Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent all-gender school in New York City, is dedicated to inspiring students to live meaningful and purpose-driven lives. The school achieves this by fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and curiosity, supported by a diverse and inclusive community. Riverdale emphasizes both high challenge and high support in its approach to education, encouraging students to engage deeply in interdisciplinary learning, research, and experiential education, both inside and outside the classroom and beyond our campuses. This holistic approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

At Riverdale, we strive to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches the educational experience and is integral to our mission. With a student body of approximately 1,300 students from 117 different zip codes, Riverdale is a vibrant community where 48% of our students identify as students of color. 

We seek to employ educators and leaders who bring a student-centered approach, passion for their work, a commitment to DEIB, and a desire to contribute to the growth and development of our entire school community.

Upper School Dean - Class of 2029

Riverdale’s class deans oversee the academic and personal growth of an entire class (approximately 140 individuals) beginning in 9th grade. The dean stays with the class, shepherding them through their four years in Riverdale’s Upper School and guiding them as they grow into young adults.

• Classroom teaching excellence;
• A desire to work closely with adolescents;
• The ability both to advocate for students and hold them accountable to high standards;
• A collaborative stance towards fellow administrators, department chairs, faculty, and parents;
• A passion for actively creating inclusive and equitable learning environments;
• The capacity to work effectively in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable environment;
• Exquisite written and oral communication skills with attention to detail;
• A willingness to learn about aspects of the school and community with which they are not familiar;
• Patience, empathy, kindness, resilience, and a sense of humor.  

• Creating the program of study for each student for the four years of high school;
• Helping students discover and cultivate both academic and co-curricular interests, taking into account a student’s strengths, opportunities at the school, and planning for college;
• Setting the culture of the class through grade-level meetings, working with teachers and advisors of the class, and through individual interactions;
• Partnering with families formally and informally to encourage student growth;
• Communicating thoughtfully and clearly with students, teachers, and parents, seeking to understand the perspectives of each;  
• Working closely with colleagues at the school, including Academic Dean, Administrative Assistants, Athletic Department, Community Engagement Team, College Counselors, Counselors, Department Chairs, Learning Resource Team, and Service Learning;
• Collaborating with the other grade-level deans, the Head of the Upper School, and the assistant division heads in the day-to-day operations and programming of the Upper School;
• Collaboratively determining and executing disciplinary responses when students violate school rules;
• Teaching two classes.  

Ideal Candidate:

Leaders at Riverdale Country School are expected to show competence in all domains outlined in the R+ Leadership Capacities.  The optimal candidate for this position will successfully develop a positive school culture, especially during periods of change.  Our ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment where they manage multiple priorities. All candidates for Riverdale teaching positions should demonstrate an interest in engaging students in an environment that is both supportive and rigorous.  Riverdale is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Interested candidates should apply for the position no later than Friday, January 17. 2025.

To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter.  If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us.  For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School

Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including:  

Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the #7, #10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan.

Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!).

Sabbatical:  Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment.  

Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance.  In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.  

Retirement:  Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA.  The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.  

Vacation:  Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.