Pre K 3- 8th Academic Dean of Humanities
Why St. Michael’s Prep?
Located in the hills of southwest Austin, Texas, St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School is an outstanding co-educational Independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in Austin, Texas. The Lower School is comprised of PreK 3-4th grades, the Middle School houses grades 5-8, and the Upper School contains grades 9-12. We are distinguished by our Catholic tradition, a welcoming and diverse community, excellent academic programs, and a variety of extracurricular activities. Additionally, we are a technology-rich school. Thus, teachers and staff are expected to demonstrate meaningful skill with technology and an enthusiasm for technological growth in order to create authentic learning experiences for their students. Teachers and staff at St. Michael’s Prep further serve as role models that inspire students to think critically, reflect, explore, and apply their faith concretely to their lives. We are one community with three divisions, united in our commitment to put students first as we educate them in mind, body, and spirit.
Our values: Integrity, Courage, & Excellence
Our mission: St. Michael’s Prep cultivates a transformative, Independent school experience rooted in Catholic spirituality where we seek excellence in every pursuit and form virtuous leaders who positively impact the world.
We are anchored by the Catholic Social Teachings (CST) and promote inclusion by advocating for a society based on love and justice, where all people have inherent dignity. We are passionate about cultivating a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment, celebrating and supporting differences.
We employ and optimize practices that promote growth of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.
Academic Dean of Humanities (Curriculum)
St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School seeks a dynamic, experienced, collaborative, and creative individual with a deep understanding of English Language Arts and Social Sciences curriculum, project based learning, and inquiry based learning to serve as our PreK 3 - 8th Academic Dean of Humanities Curriculum. This curricular leadership role requires a deep understanding of the culture and context of ELA and Social Sciences education and the ideal candidate will be a leader, thinker, and instructor who is responsible for building effective and collaborative relationships with students and faculty. The Dean of Humanities will report to the Head of Middle School (HOMS) and work closely with the Head of Lower School (HOLS), the Academic Dean of STEM Curriculum, as well as the PK-8th grade faculty. She/he must possess and demonstrate a growth mindset and a student-centered approach to best support faculty development and instructional innovation. This is a full-time, 12 month position that begins in August 2026.
Responsibilities
- Teaching/Curriculum
- Serve as a thought leader on student learning of empathy-centered problem solving and curriculum practices.
- Co-teach with middle school teachers to implement robust best practices in ELA and Social Studies.
- Support LS/MS teachers on fostering continued avenues for cross-curricular connections.
- Support school wide events like Maker Faire, a project based learning and maker event.
- Collaborate with the HOLS, HOMS, Director of Student Support, and faculty to collect and analyze data to measure progress towards accomplishing goals and to strategically plan for success.
- Support the effective use of chosen curriculum mapping platform (Embark).
- ERB/CTP Data
- Coordinate with the Director of Student Support Services, the Dean of STEM, and the HOLS/HOMS assistants in the purchasing of tests, uploading of student data and accommodations, and dissemination of results.
- Strategic Leadership
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- In collaboration with the Lower and Middle School Heads, support faculty with innovative approaches to curriculum: ideation, planning, and implementation through monthly team meetings as well as one-on-one meetings with individual teachers.
- Work collaboratively with the SMP Ed Leadership Team to support faculty.
- Offer guidance and professional development for faculty on how to incorporate the innovative curricular practices into their courses and implement new curricula.
- Help to develop and facilitate high-quality, timely, and innovative professional development.
- Mentor and help onboard a small group of new faculty.
Qualifications and Education Requirements
The Academic Dean of Humanities will be able to demonstrate that they possess many of the following qualifications:
- High emotional intelligence
- Expertise in curricular development and leadership
- Expertise with age-appropriate direct instruction and the ability to coach teachers with varying levels of experience
- Community building skill set and the capacity and interest to work with a broad spectrum of learners
- Possess a growth mindset
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with students, department chairs, faculty, staff and parents
- Ability to multitask and prioritize work
- A collaborative, inquisitive and tinkering mentality
- A positive attitude and the willingness to approach learning new skills in flexible and creative ways
- Experience managing and teaching literacy skills to students
- Expertise/passion in the Humanities (ELA and Social Studies)
- At least five years as a classroom teacher
- At least two years in a school leadership role
Ideal Candidates
Ideal candidates for positions at our school are experienced in and continue to develop expertise in social-emotional learning, project-based learning, cross-curricular integration, technology-rich and differentiated instruction. Ideal candidates thrive in a collaborative environment designing and delivering innovative and creative cross-curricular instructional units to students with diverse learning styles and needs.