Company Description

At KIPP Chicago, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our campuses are located in the Austin, Englewood, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt Park neighborhoods. KIPP Chicago also advises over 2000 KIPP alumni currently in high school or college through our KIPP Forward program.  KIPP Chicago is the highest-performing network of schools in Chicago, as measured by our city’s school quality index.  We attract, develop, and retain a diverse and talented staff of educators. Our students and families choose our schools because our teachers are exceptional educators who work together as a collective to ensure students achieve and thrive.  For more data and information about our successes and vision for the future, visit www.kippchicago.org 

Job Description

This position is full-time, benefits-eligible, and in-person at a specific school location. 

At KIPP Chicago, Diverse Learners’ Teacher / Case Manager will oversee and provide direct services for cross-categorical students serviced in co-taught and self-contained classes, in grades K-4 or 5th-8th. The DL Teacher/Case Manager is responsible for collaborating with school based staff to create an inclusive culture where children and adults from diverse backgrounds and perspectives can excel. One way to do this is by ensuring that all students with diverse learning needs receive services specified in their IEPs and 504 plans. The DL Teacher/ Case Manager will schedule, manage and lead all IEP and 504 meetings for their caseload, in compliance with state and federal laws; monitor the process for admitting students to and exiting students from Special Education services; and support our school leaders, teachers, and support staff in all matters and decision-making concerning the Special Education process. 

This role requires a passion for collaboration and a deep commitment to making decisions in service of students and families. In addition, a mindset of ensuring students are in the least restrictive and most inclusive setting as possible is crucial.  The DLCM/Teacher reports directly to the Managing Director of Student Services (MDSS) and the School Leader.

This position will include the following roles and responsibilities:

Responsibilities - Diverse Learning Case Management

• Develop, oversee, and coordinate Special Education services at the campus.

• Develop a yearly meeting schedule that ensures 100% compliance in accordance with special education due dates and timelines.

• Proactively communicate with staff members to ensure all members of the IEP team are prepared to meet all IEP and 504 deadlines.

• Schedule, complete, and document all required parent communication in preparation of IEP and 504 meetings in compliance with state and federal laws.

• Lead IEP and 504 meetings as a member of the IEP team.

• Support school teams in collecting and compiling data for paraprofessional and transportation approvals if applicable to a student.

• Maintain student paper and electronic files in accordance with CPS file protocols and state and federal laws.

• Review all IEPs for quality as measured on the KIPP Chicago IEP rubric.

• Provide feedback and professional development to teaching staff regarding IEP writing.

• Manage and track completion of paraprofessional anecdotal record keeping and data tracking on a bi-weekly basis.

• Approve paraprofessional records weekly.

• Manage and track completion of IEP goal tracking/ progress monitoring by teaching staff in compliance with student IEPs.

• Manage staff to complete all IEP report cards in accordance with IEP benchmark dates.

• Throughout the school year, keep accurate and current lists of accommodations to be provided during standardized testing.

• Serve as a thought partner and offer guidance to school teams regarding student schedules, staffing, and accommodations facilitation in accordance with state and federal laws.

Responsibilities - Diverse Learning Teacher

• Write initial and annual IEPs using Chicago Public Schools’ eIEP system

• Develop and implement lesson planning

• Inform general education teachers of IEP goals as necessary

• Monitor and support implementation of goals and objectives in general education and self-contained classrooms

• Provide and/or support modifications and accommodations as needed

• Progress Monitoring, keep IEPs updated as to the achievement of goals and objectives at the end of every quarter

• Issue quarterly progress reports on IEP goals for students & families

• Schedule coordinate, and chair the annual IEP meetings in collaboration with families, appropriate clinicians and general education staff

• Maintain a portfolio of student work samples, anecdotal data, and classroom observations

• Encourage parent partnerships and maintains positive communication with families regarding student progress

• Work with the Principal, Assistant Principal and general education teachers to ensure all students receive appropriate services in their least restrictive environment

Responsibilities - Support/Leadership

• The CM serves as a liaison between the school and the MDSS and in doing so is responsible for communicating the unique needs of the school to the MDSS. Furthermore, the CM is responsible for collaborating with the MDSS to ensure that the needs of the school are met.

• The CM owns identifying, planning and implementing school based professional development as it pertains to developing school based staff in their capacity to be in compliance with their caseloads. This includes but is not limited to teaching teachers how to writing high quality, inclusive IEPs and developing systems for being current with IEP reports cards and meetings.

• The CM is responsible for working with the school leader to ensure that each Diverse Learner staff member is on track with compliance expectations and is developing and growing in their capacity to do so. This will require initiative and the ability to manage up to the school leader on the part of the CM.

Qualifications

• Strong evidence of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with students who have been traditionally underserved and who have special needs.

• Illinois teacher license with the endorsement Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1) or equivalent out-of-state license that will transfer to Illinois (required)

• 3-5 years of experience as a Special Education Teacher in an urban school setting, Case Management experience preferred.

• Experience with and strong knowledge of local, state, and federal Special Education laws and mandates.

• Willingness to be flexible and play different roles within the school, and go above and beyond to meet the varied and constant needs of the students of KIPP Chicago with a relentless focus on student achievement.

• Unquestioned ethics, integrity, and commitment to the KIPP Chicago mission and willingness to serve the KIPP Chicago community.

• Excellent organizational, communication, and facilitation skills.

• Bachelor’s degree (required); Master’s degree (preferred).

• Cleared CPS background check before starting the role. 

Additional Information

COMPENSATION

KIPP Chicago Public Schools offers a competitive compensation and benefits package:

• Salaries based on experience related to role and responsibilities

• Competitive rates for medical insurance and short-term disability insurance.  Dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance are offered at no cost.

• Competitive retirement savings benefits 

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

KIPP Chicago Public Schools is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment. KIPP Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic background. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.