The Gate School

About The Gate School

The Gate School (TGS) is a tuition-free public charter middle school opening in Nashville in Fall 2027. Middle school is a pivotal time: students are forming beliefs about who they are, what they are capable of and what kind of learner they will become. We are building a school where they meet rigorous, meaningful work and adults who know them well.

At TGS, every leader teaches. Our Partners lead the school's core work while staying in the classroom, so coaching, feedback and decisions stay close to students.

The Role

The Culture Partner is a founding leader who builds and runs the systems that shape how students experience school every day: routines, discipline, attendance and family partnership. You will teach at least one block daily, so your own classroom becomes the model for the culture you build. As the school grows, you will coach a team of teachers on classroom culture and management.

What You'll Do

Leadership

• Serve on the Partner Council, helping shape schoolwide priorities, make strategic decisions, and hold the team accountable for results.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of schoolwide culture systems, using student, staff, and family feedback to strengthen practices over time.
• Model clear, direct communication and address difficult issues with honesty, care, and high expectations.

Student Culture

• Build, lead, and continuously improve schoolwide Tier 1 culture systems, including clear behavioral expectations, daily routines, and restorative practices.
• Design and implement tiered behavioral and social-emotional supports (MTSS), ensuring students receive timely, effective interventions.
• Train and support staff to create classrooms that are calm, joyful, focused, and grounded in strong relationships and high expectations.
• Plan and lead schoolwide community meetings, student traditions, and the Student Advisory Council.
• Respond to significant student behavior concerns, owning disciplinary decisions, family communication, and student reentry plans.

Adult Culture

• Help build a strong adult culture rooted in trust, accountability, collaboration, and a shared commitment to student success.
• Establish and reinforce consistent expectations for how adults build relationships, communicate, and respond to student behavior.
• Support staff in navigating challenging conversations with students, families, and colleagues.
• Foster a culture where adults seek feedback, take ownership of results, and continuously improve their practice.

Family and Community Partnership

• Lead family orientation, conferences and regular opportunities for families to shape the school
• Lead the Family Advisory Council and co-plan community events with families
• Build two-way relationships with community organizations, employers and civic leaders
• Use the annual family survey to improve how we work with families, and share the results openly
• Support enrollment in collaboration with operations team

Attendance

• Co-own the school's attendance strategy, partnering with the Operations Team to monitor attendance, identify concerns early, and ensure accurate reporting.
• Lead tiered attendance interventions, working directly with students and families to address barriers and improve attendance.

Teaching and Coaching

• Teach at least one block daily and model the standard for excellent teaching in their classroom
• Coach teachers on routines, relationships and classroom management through regular coaching cycles

Founding

• Help build The Gate School from the ground up, translating our mission and values into the daily experience of students, families, and staff.
• Design, launch, and continuously refine systems and traditions that establish a strong school identity.
• Take ownership of challenges beyond your immediate responsibilities, doing what is needed to successfully open and grow the school.
• Partner with other founding leaders to recruit, hire, and develop a high-performing team.

What Success Looks Like

• The code of conduct and school routines are finalized and trained before summer professional development in July 2027
• Students attend at least 95% of school days, and chronic absenteeism stays below 10%
• Office referrals and suspensions go down year over year, and students with IEPs and 504 plans are protected under the discipline policy
• Families attend orientation before the first day, and the Student and Family Advisory Councils meet quarterly with school leadership
• Teachers you coach show measurable growth in their classroom environment

Who You Are

Required

• Bachelor's degree and a valid Tennessee teaching license
• 5+ years of teaching with strong classroom culture and student results
• Experience leading school culture systems, discipline or student support
• Training or experience in restorative practices
• A track record of building trust with families from many backgrounds

Preferred

• Middle school experience
• Experience coaching teachers on classroom management
• Experience leading family engagement or community partnerships
• Bilingual (Spanish or another language spoken by Nashville families)

Compensation and Benefits

$110,000 - 125,000 annual salary. Benefits include health, dental, and vision coverage; a retirement plan with an employer contribution; disability and life insurance; paid holidays; and paid professional learning.

*Equal employment opportunity and respect in the workplace are fundamental principles at The Gate School. The Gate School prohibits and does not tolerate harassment, intimidation, bullying, discriminatory, or retaliatory behavior. All aspects of your employment are based upon your personal capabilities and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, disability, age, military status, marital status, partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or any other protected class as established by federal, state, or local law.