Academic Dean for MiaPrep Online Academy of Ohio

Miaplaza, a forward-thinking organisation committed to enhancing online education, is seeking an Academic Dean to lead its new MiaPrep Online Academy of Ohio. This innovative virtual school aims to provide Ohio families with a flexible, public school curriculum option, starting with grades 7-11 in its inaugural year. With ambitious growth plans to expand from 250 students to over 1,000 by 2030, this role is crucial in shaping the academic direction and operational success of the academy.

About the Role

The Academic Dean will play a pivotal role in the leadership and daily management of MiaPrep Online Academy. This position is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality instruction and fostering a supportive academic environment for both students and staff. The ideal candidate will be a dynamic leader with a passion for virtual education and a proven ability to drive academic excellence.

The responsibilities of the Academic Dean are multifaceted and critical to the academy's success. You will be instrumental in:

• **Staff Supervision and Development:**
• Directly supervise instructional staff, providing ongoing support through weekly coaching sessions.
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and comprehensive training of new teachers to ensure they are well-prepared for the virtual classroom environment.
• Conduct observations of live instruction, offering constructive and actionable feedback to enhance teaching practices.
• Oversee grading processes to guarantee that students receive timely and meaningful feedback on their work.
• Design and deliver regular professional development programmes for staff, focusing on effective online pedagogical strategies and continuous improvement.
• **Academic and Operational Oversight:**
• Serve as the primary liaison between the instructional staff and content development teams, ensuring alignment and effective communication.
• Manage the school's student conduct processes, ensuring consistent and fair application of policies.
• Analyse school-wide data, including student performance, teacher effectiveness, and curriculum engagement, to inform and refine teaching strategies and academic programmes.

What They're Looking For

Miaplaza is seeking an experienced educational leader who possesses the requisite qualifications and a strong understanding of virtual learning environments. Candidates will need to demonstrate:

• A Bachelor's degree is a mandatory requirement; a Master's degree is highly preferred.
• A valid Ohio teaching or administrator's license, or the ability to obtain one promptly.
• A minimum of three years of experience in a teaching capacity.
• At least two years of experience in a leadership or management role within an educational setting.
• Demonstrated experience in virtual school environments, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities they present.
• Comfort and proficiency in working within online learning platforms and digital educational tools.

This position offers a significant opportunity to contribute to a growing and innovative online educational institution. As an Academic Dean in a South African context, this type of leadership role typically involves significant responsibility for academic standards and staff management. While salary figures vary widely based on experience, the specific institution, and the scope of the role, senior educational leadership positions in South Africa can command competitive remuneration packages. Employers in this sector range from established private schools with online offerings to newer, specialised online learning providers, offering various career progression paths into broader directorial or executive educational management roles.

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Valid Ohio teaching or administrator license, or ability to obtain one.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience.
• A minimum of 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in virtual school settings.
• Comfortable working in online learning environments.