Dean of Students, Grades 6-9

Position: Dean of Students, Grades 6-9   

Location: Shenzhen, China 

Start Date: August 2026 

ABOUT AVENUES SHENZHEN 

Avenues Shenzhen is a top-tier bilingual school which offers a truly global education. After launching in 2018 with a unique early childhood program, Avenues Shenzhen now serves about 500 students from 1.5 to 18 years of age with a cutting-edge educational program spanning the Primary and Secondary Divisions.   

At Avenues Shenzhen, teaching and learning happen through language immersion in both English and Chinese as well as challenging interdisciplinary projects. Our campus community fosters a culture of creativity, entrepreneurship and deep collaboration, with state-of-the-art technology throughout the campus. We are a community of talented and dedicated educators and colleagues who are passionate about learning and growth. There are unparalleled possibilities for professional learning and development. There is no place quite like Avenues Shenzhen. 

MIDDLE GRADES 

The pre-adolescent years are a time of dynamic transition and discovery for students. With that in mind, we designed our middle grades (Grades 6-9) program to develop foundational skills, nurture independence, and provide plentiful opportunities for the discovery of passions and strengths. Students benefit from a combination of rigorous academics, individualized social-emotional support and a robust menu of co- and extracurricular activities, which build their confidence and prepare them for even greater agency in their high school years. True to the Avenues mission, students in the middle grades develop into well-rounded, empathetic global citizens, while finding deep joy in their learning along the way. 

• Learning for the future: Avenues' innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum  
• Belonging and wellbeing: social-emotional, physical and mental health  
• Making change for good: global citizenship and community engagement 

WHAT YOU’LL DO 

A Dean is a leader (also mentor, cheerleader, confidant, and occasional tough-love-giver) who supports students' wellbeing and partners across Avenues and with their families to support each student to thrive. Reporting to the Director of Student Wellbeing, a dean works with an entire grade level of students and moves with those students from grade 6 to grade 9. This allows deans to build powerful, lasting relationships with students and nurture their development and wellbeing. Deans and teachers work together closely to make the secondary experience a rewarding one for each student. You will also:  

Nurture students' growth and development 

• Advise and guide students and their families in grades 6-9 each year. Your students will feel known and well supported; their families will rave about you 
• Develop and implement a robust socio-emotional learning curriculum and framework 
• Develop strong, ongoing relationships with parents and students 
• Monitor and guide students' academic progress and social and emotional wellbeing 
• Uphold high standards of personal conduct by students 
• Be the primary point of contact for parents and colleagues about individual students  
• Lead daytime and/or evening programs for parents and students on special topics 

Be a leader and collaborator 

• Partner with faculty, associate division heads, and members of the student wellbeing team to build strong communities of students 
• Collaborate with faculty mentors to maintain a comprehensive mentorship program to reinforce a culture of care 
• Plan, implement, and lead student initiatives and activities that contributes to a vibrant and positive school culture 
• Develop plans to support students' success in school, and follow through with colleagues and families to ensure student needs are met 
• Be relentlessly resourceful and highly collaborative, guiding colleagues on how to best support each individual student's success, growth and happiness 
• Enthusiastically contribute to a dean's team dedicated to all Avenues students' wellbeing 

WHAT YOU BRING 

• At least 3 years of experience working with adolescents, preferably as a classroom teacher 
• Strong experience with advisory and socio-emotional development curriculum 
• Extraordinary ability to build relationships with middle school students and their families 
• Ability to identify opportunities to support students, take action and mobilize resources on their behalf 
• Deep understanding of developmental stage and socio-emotional needs of middle schoolers, and a range of proven approaches to address them 
• Clear, compelling communicator in speaking and writing, individually and in large groups 
• High emotional intelligence to navigate difficult conversations with grace and empathy 
• Bachelor’s degree; graduate degree in related field is ideal  
• Professional fluency in English; Mandarin Chinese is a plus 

WHAT WE OFFER  

• Frequent feedback, ongoing coaching and top-notch, job-embedded professional learning 
• Competitive rewards package, wellness resources, relocation support (as needed), and other benefits to best support you and keep you healthy and happy 
• A beautiful, uplifting, student-centric school environment 
• The chance to impact education by demonstrating what's possible 
• A thriving community with a healthy and inclusive culture where every individual is valued and respected 

TO APPLY 

Apply through the Careers section at https://www.avenueschina.cn/en/about/careers.html . Be sure to include a letter of application, in English, in which you thoughtfully explain why you believe that this role at Avenues Shenzhen would be an excellent match for your experience, skills and passions. If you have any questions, please email careers-sz@avenueschina.cn.   

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND SAFEGUARDING 

Avenues is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion throughout our organization. We strive to uphold a culture in which every colleague feels that they belong, are trusted, and are valued. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, and strongly encourage candidates from traditionally underrepresented communities or groups to apply.  

Avenues upholds the highest standards for safeguarding the physical and emotional wellbeing of children. As an essential aspect of this commitment, all offers are contingent upon successful completion of careful reference and background checks.