Walnut Hill School for the Arts seeks a Dean of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy starting in July 2023.

The inaugural Dean of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy is responsible for providing leadership to the educational programs of the School through culturally responsive teaching, multicultural curriculum, and anti-racist policies and practices. This position serves as an expert and resource for teaching pedagogy, instructional coaching, and professional development.

The Dean will collaborate closely with arts and academic department heads and faculty and the Director of Diversity and Inclusion to advance a strong and innovative teaching and learning team to prepare our students to engage in and contribute to the world community through the arts. The Dean will work with the school leadership to identify meaningful points of connection between the arts and core academic programs and build important connections between the various aspects of students’ experience as artists and scholars.

The Dean of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy is responsible for leading arts and academic curriculum and program development, as well as supervising the Director of Learning Support and the Registrar. This is a full-time, 12-month, position reporting to the Assistant Head of School and will have support from the Educational Programs Coordinator. Though not required, the position is encouraged to be a part of the boarding community, adding to and gaining from the programs and relationships that emerge from the boarding experience. An attractive campus apartment is available for the successful candidate.

Opportunities and Challenges

• Establish an inaugural position. This will be the Walnut Hill’s first Dean of Culturally Responsive Pedagogy charged with advancing DEIB efforts within the curriculum. As an inaugural position, there are many hopes and aspirations around the role and room for whomever inhabits the position to help to shape and define it. The School is poised for the work ahead with a committed and engaged administration, faculty and staff, and ongoing efforts to support all students in feeling they belong. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of the school.
• Define and advance culturally responsive teaching at Walnut Hill. The Dean will work collaboratively with other members of School administration, particularly the Dean of Students and the Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, to ensure that the educational program embodies the School’s mission and core values and moves the School forward in its anti-racism commitment.
• Align arts and academics with school mission and values. Historically, the arts and academic faculties worked independently to provide an outstanding educational experience to students. With the advent of this position, teachers will have the opportunity to develop a shared language across the curriculum with the guidance of a curricular mentor.
• Lead instructional coach at Walnut Hill. The Dean will observe classes and offer feedback to faculty that strengthens the competencies needed to teach successfully to a highly diverse student body. The Dean will draw on the expertise of an effective faculty to coordinate and facilitate professional development opportunities and establish structures to expand their understanding and use of inclusive practices in classrooms, workplaces, and student spaces.
• Support teachers in developing and implementing curriculum with an eye towards equity and belonging. The Dean will help teachers advance their capacity to provide culturally responsive educational experiences for their students. This includes both content and pedagogical practice.
• Increase diversity in faculty. The Dean will also serve as a key part of the School’s recruitment and hiring efforts. In partnership with the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Director of Human Resources, they will review and implement hiring practices to better align the demographics of the teaching faculty to that of the student body.

Qualifications and Personal Attributes

• Strong knowledge of culturally responsive teaching practices and other best practices related to DEIB education and experience supporting teachers in implementing these practices through observation and constructive feedback;
• Joy and enthusiasm for working in schools and a passion for the arts;
• A love of the strength, creativity, accomplishments and challenges of adolescence;
• Ability to listen deeply, build trust and communicate clearly and effectively to a range of constituents;
• An ability to find the connection points between concepts perceived to being incompatible with one another;
• A highly relational, communicative, and collaborative leader who is experienced and skilled in working with, supporting, and providing accountability for administrative colleagues, faculty, and staff and the gravitas and experience to work with students and parents;
• An orientation to think, lead, and act at both the strategic and operational levels and the ability to manage both the details and the larger picture in a highly collaborative and reflective community;
• A strong eye for talent and the ability to contribute to the recruitment and retention of a diverse and aligned faculty and staff;
• A team builder, educator, and mentor who calls individuals into the work, supports their development, and deploys them aligned to their strengths and roles and responsibilities;
• Actively support the School community in building a shared understanding of systemic inequity throughout school operations, policies and programs;
• Experience with, or interest in, working with international students and families and how to assist faculty in introducing multicultural topics to students not from the United States;
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion;
• A growth mindset open to receive and model constructive feedback and use it to positively impact our students;
• BA degree required; MA or equivalent experience preferred in a relevant field of study such as education, instructional design, ethnic studies, social justice, or related field;
• 5+ years’ experience teaching at the secondary or post-secondary school level or in a professional setting, and a track record of increasing leadership responsibilities.

To Apply

This search is being managed by Carney, Sandoe & Associates (CS&A).

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to contact the consultants in confidence. Candidates will ultimately need to submit the following materials as separate PDF documents:

• A cover letter expressing their interest in this particular position;
• A current résumé;
• A list of five professional references with name, relationship, phone number, and email address of each (references will not be contacted without the candidate’s permission);
• Some candidates may be asked to submit additional materials.

Send as separate PDF or word documents with your name in the document name (eg: Flewelling resume, Flewelling cover) to: