Company Description

KIPP is a national network of free, open‐enrollment, college‐preparatory public schools in under‐resourced communities throughout the United States. There are currently 281 locally‐run KIPP regions in more than 25 states and Washington, DC; nationally, KIPP serves approximately 120,000 students. More than 80 percent of KIPP students come from low‐income households, and more than 95 percent are African American or Hispanic/Latino.  Through high expectations for students and staff, world‐class teachers and principals, more time in school, autonomy over budget and curriculum, and a focus on results, KIPP schools prepare traditionally underserved students for success in college and in life. KIPP schools have been widely recognized for their success in doing so, and today, nearly 85% of KIPP alumni nationally have matriculated to college. 

All KIPP schools share a core set of operating principles, known as the Five Pillars, that KIPP believes help to lay the foundation for students to perform at the highest academic levels: High Expectations, Choice & Commitment, More Time, Power to Lead, and a Focus on Results.

KIPP Minnesota Overview

Who we are: KIPP Minnesota Schools is a network of high-performing college-preparatory public charter schools. Next year, we will serve over 300 students in grades K-8 (primary and middle) in north Minneapolis. KIPP Minnesota Schools is a fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization with significant growth plans in the coming years.

What we do: We do whatever it takes to help our students develop knowledge, skills, and strong character. We work relentlessly so that every one of our students has the opportunity to attend college and has access to the life of choice and opportunity that college provides. The KIPP Minnesota Regional Team supports our schools, school leaders, and staff through organizational and academic alignment, business management, strategic planning, and back office functions.

How we do it: There are no shortcuts to success. Outstanding educators, rigorous lessons, more time in school, and a strong school culture support our students as they climb the mountain to college. We work as a team, use data, and constantly reflect to improve our practice. We believe all of our KIPPsters can make it to and through college, and we stay with them every step of the way.

Why it matters: Approximately 1 in 10 students in our communities earn a college degree. We believe this is unjust and unacceptable and, most importantly, can be changed. Nationwide, over 85% of KIPP middle school alums matriculate to college.

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

As a Middle School Special Education Teacher, you are a KIPP Minnesota Instructional Team member and will directly lead instruction with students. Special Education Teachers co-teach alongside a general education teacher in an inclusion classroom setting to support all students and lead small group instructional spaces.  They will plan and execute high-quality daily lessons that lead to high levels of student achievement and build and support a school-wide culture of excellence.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Planning and Instruction

• Implement the school-wide student management policies within classrooms and everywhere on campus
• Create and teach challenging and engaging lessons aligned to state standards
• Assist in the development of curriculum standards and mapping
• Work to ensure that all IEPs and student needs are met both within and outside of the classroom
• Manage a student caseload 
• Perform morning, lunch, and afternoon duties as assigned and attend all staff meetings
• With support from school leaders, use data to drive instructional practices to improve student achievement and instruction constantly
• Seek to constantly develop and improve teaching practices through ongoing feedback conversations with School Leaders and other school faculty within KIPP Minnesota

Classroom Environment

• Creates an environment that promotes respect, rapport, and learning
• Establishes effective relationships with students
• Create a classroom environment that is warm and demanding and expects 100% of students to meet expectations
• Communicates clear and consistent expectations for learning, behavior, and achievement
• Monitors and manages student behavior effectively

Communication

• Communicates effectively with families, students, and colleagues
• Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all parents
• Communicates student progress in a timely and thorough manner
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills

Professional Responsibility

• Supports the mission and values of the school
• Supports the programs and priorities of the department and school
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with faculty, students, and parents
• Maintains confidentiality
• Demonstrates professional behavior
• Seeks and develops opportunities for professional growth
• Mandatorily attends and participates in required meetings, school events, and committee work (including evenings and weekends as necessary)
• Participates in the arrival and dismissal of students daily with assigned tasks and responsibilities
• Performs bus duties for the safety of students daily with assigned tasks and responsibilities
• Monitors hallways between classroom duties to establish safety and clear expectations of student behaviors in the hallways
• Home visits to students/families' homes twice per school year
• Maintain a neat, clean classroom environment and a professional personal appearance
• Performs duties as required/requested

Qualifications

DESIRED EXPERIENCE 

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in special education
• Special Education Licensure is required to work with students in Federal Settings 1-3. (K-8 or 5-8 required)
• Ability to design and implement specially designed instruction tailored to meet the unique needs of students requiring special education services.
• Experience and willingness to work on general education teams and provide collaborative special education services with general education teachers are required.
• Ability to collaborate with paraprofessionals and to effectively direct the work delegated to them.
• Interest in and ability to relate well to elementary and middle school students.
• Experience with evaluation and eligibility determination for special education services is preferred.

Highly Preferred 

• Experience working in historically educationally underserved communities and communities of color 
• Multiple licensures
• ASD, DCD, or ABS licensure
• Minimum 3 years of classroom teaching experience

Additional Information

COMPENSATION

Salary: $44,880+

*In order to establish equitable salary practices; the compensation package is derived from the Regional KIPP Minnesota pay scale and benefits package, which includes medical, dental, life, long-term disability and retirement benefits as well as an annual salary review and revision.

How to Apply 

We are committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural leadership team and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds. Please apply on-line here . Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

KIPP:MN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: KIPP:MN is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all candidates and  employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on our business need, job requirements and required qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by ​​protected by federal, state or local laws. KIPP:MN will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.”

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.