Escuela Bilingüe Internacional, a PK-8 independent, bilingual and IB World School in Oakland and Emeryville seeks an experienced, dynamic and innovative leader to serve as the Director of DEI and Student Life (DEIS) beginning July 15, 2022. The DDSL will work closely with the Head of School and Principals as a thought partner and strategist to support 408 students and over 55 teaching faculty members, serves as a member of the senior leadership team, leads the pedagogical leadership team and teaching and learning and student success departments, as well as reports to the HoS. The Director of DEI and Student Life (DEIS) is responsible for advancement of the Strategic Roadmap for the Institutionalization of DEIB and the leadership and implementation of DEIB programs in alignment with our IB framework and overseeing all aspects of student life. Responsibilities also include but are not limited to DEIB Community and Parent education events in collaboration with the Pedagogical Leadership, Head of School and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), the development of DIESEL (DEIB and SEL) and advisory programming in collaboration with the Student Success Team, as well as DEIB Professional Development. The DDSB is mainly based at the San Pablo Campus and oversees Student Life (2-8) in collaboration with the Principal and Director of Well-being and Community Liaison to DEI.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The position requires someone with a deep, personal commitment to building DEIB programs for educational excellence and belonging, coupled with keen interpersonal intelligence. EBI seeks candidates who enjoy working in a diverse, international environment, who supports the mission and vision of EBI, embodies all attributes of the IB Learner Profile and who possess confidence, humility, and empathy, as well as excellent organizational and communication skills.
The ideal candidate will offer most, if not all, of these characteristics:
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field required, Master’s/Doctoral degree is strongly preferred.
A passion and personal commitment for empowering student voice and developing an inclusive community that is open and respectful to all voices;
Experience in the field of advocacy and inclusion, preferably with Preschool through Eighth Grade students;
Experience, training, or certification in diversity and equity work;
Time-management skills and the ability to support the needs of multiple constituencies;
Two more years of experience as an academic leader as a member of the leadership team is required, preferably in an independent school.
Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
The ability to work closely with teachers to support and facilitate their collaboration, creativity and collegiality.
Experience in hiring, supporting, developing, and retaining a diverse faculty and administrative staff.
Knowledge of the IB Programmes, in particular PYP and MYP preferred
Strong understanding of the physical, social and emotional developmental stages of students ages 3 to 15.
Proven commitment to DEIB/social justice, including anti-bias and safe identity educational practices.
Strong knowledge and experience with best practices in Elementary and Middle School curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Strong knowledge and expertise of education technology and blended learning.
Ability to maintain composure, confidentiality, tact, sensitivity, and flexibility during peak stress periods and crisis situations.
Willingness to lead and collaborate with diverse constituencies and teams
Flexibility, given the uncertain times we are living through
Commitment to 21st-century education, including knowledge of the key role of SEL practices in whole child education and international mindedness
Joyful and empathetic educator who is a strategic thinker and a visionary builder.
A champion of both students and faculty and staff.
Thoughtful and adept at conflict resolution. Empathetic problem-solver.
Collaborative leadership style and intentional commitment to life-long learning.
Courage to support and/or make difficult or unpopular decisions, when needed.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, listening, and organization skills.
Major Areas of Responsibility:
The Director of DEI and Student Life (DEIS) will be a member of the EBI leadership team responsible for overseeing the creation, implementation, and ongoing review of the EBI Strategic Roadmap for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Belonging in partnership with the HoS and the DEIB team as well as Student Life. The DEIS also supports the mission by developing and implementing programs designed to foster a sense of belonging for all students, staff and community members. The Director, as a member of the DEIB Team, will also work to ensure that systems are in place to support student success in all aspects of student life, including SEL and DEIB work. The DDSL regularly uses discretion and independent judgment to design, manage, and co-create DEIB-focused programs for overall wellness. EBI believes that diverse experiences, identities, and perspectives are fundamental to academic, social and emotional growth, as well as preparing students for the world they will inherit. The DDSL will be passionate about DEIB and social justice, serve as a member of the senior leadership team and operationalize practices that build equity. The DDSL will educate, advise, coach, and collaborate with leaders, faculty, staff, and students to develop an inclusive mindset. They will facilitate the sharing and fostering of best practices regarding DEI across all divisions of the organization.
Serves as part of the SLT and staff liaison to the BoT DEICom as requested by the HoS
Partner with school leadership to enhance, create, and implement innovative programs to ensure equitable internal practices and support diversity and inclusion at EBI. This includes recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff
Collaborate with students, families, faculty and staff to build a strong sense of community among middle school students, parents, faculty and staff.
Support students to embody our guiding principles including the IB Learner Profile
Maintain a visible presence in all areas of the school and be regularly available for students, faculty, staff and parents; to work toward a resolution of all problems – both routine and unique – as they arise.
Support students in developing plans for managing and/or changing behaviors that do not align low- to mid-level behavior expectations
Foster conditions for students to build positive relationships and develop agency to manage their own behavior and advocate for themselves
Serve as a consultant to teachers in matters of classroom management, community building and supporting students
Create a multicultural learning community that supports the full diversity of EBI students. This includes programmatic and community inclusivity.
Meet parents as needed regarding the specific needs of their children, particularly as these relate to behavior and general well-being
Translate strategies into tactical plans with clear actions, accountability, and goals to promote equitable DEIB practices
Work in conjunction with school leadership to develop institutional accountability metrics to evaluate progress on cultural and systemic change in DEIB, and share progress with the EBI community and BoT as requested by the HoS
Develop training opportunities to educate staffulty, and students on how to recognize, accommodate and appreciate individual differences
Collaborate with HR and school leadership on programs to attract, hire, retain, and promote a diverse workforce
Partner with the Senior Leadership team to integrate DEIB and restorative justice practices into core decisions through the organization
Stay current on emerging issues and trends in DEIB work and make recommendations as there are opportunities
Ensure the School’s climate and culture are healthy through the regular collection and analysis of data to inform strategic decision making
Support Principals, the Student Success Team (SST) and faculty in the development of curriculum to support the infusion of themes related to equity and justice
Develop & promote systems that ensure equity in student access to schoolwide resources & programs
Promote and facilitate language access for school-sponsored programming and events
Support the Admissions department with the admission process, Business Office with tuition assistance/Diversity fund, and DEIB alignment
Support Principals in the development and implementation of a Restorative justice approach in advisory sessions for MS and LS to help community members through bias incidents and microaggressions
Coordinate, prepare and/or provide professional development around DEIB
Partner with the Advancement department to maintain and manage DEIB Communications plans as well as DEIB dashboards as requested.
Support & facilitate the implementation of a DEIB elective class for MS
Coordinate and support, parent and staff affinity groups to promote a more equitable school community
Serve as a SEED Facilitator
Coordinate events and programs within the school to educate the community and raise awareness of multiple perspectives, social justice, cultures and experiences
Create opportunities and connections with those outside of the school community, locally, nationally, and internationally
Track, document, and report on DEIB priorities and established targeted growth goals
Perform other duties as assigned by the HoS
Application Process
To be considered for the position, please complete an application, and send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for at least three professional references, including supervisors, to Zeltzin Jimenez, Executive Assistant to theHead of School at zjimenez@ebinternacional.org. Please generate all documents as one MS Word doc or a converted PDF file. Incomplete files, or files or candidates that do not meet the desired qualifications, will not be considered.
EBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to diversity. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply.
