[2025-26] KIPP Gaston Upper Elementary Lead Teacher (Grades 3-5) - KIPP North Carolina Public Schools

Organizational Overview

Every School. Every Student. Every Day.

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of eight tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of culturally relevant curricula that are grounded in research, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

At KIPP, we see the gifts in everyone who walks through the doors of our schools. Especially our teachers. Their skill. Energy. Love. Their determination. On the good days and on the hard days. So we support our teachers to make the most of those gifts. It starts with respect – for our teachers’ innate talent and desire to learn, for their professional growth and the lives they lead beyond our walls. We offer pay and benefits that reflect our appreciation for the invaluable role our teachers play in lighting paths to opportunity for our students. And as our teachers progress through the day, the year and their careers, we ensure they always feel the KIPP Team and Family at their backs, with opportunities to lead, and support to grow. 

Together, our students, schools, families and communities share an ambitious mission to create a future without limits. And the only way to realize it is with talented teachers like you. Shape the future, for your students and yourself, by joining KIPP today.

Job Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a Lead Teacher

KIPP North Carolina teachers are at the core of our mission to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character strengths needed to succeed throughout their education and in the competitive world beyond.  The following are expectations of  KIPP North Carolina acknowledging there are varying levels of expertise:

Expectations of Instruction Preparation & Delivery

• Review, internalize, and facilitate KIPP NC adopted & scripted curriculum

  • K - 8 Math: Zearn, focused on problem solving and developing student thinking

  • K - 5 ELA: Bookworms

  • 6 - 8: ELA: KIPP Wheatley

  • K - 8 Science: Amplify & supported Science materials to match NC Standards

  • 9 - 12 English & History: AP For All Curriculum

  • 9 - 12 Math & Science: KIPP NC Approved Materials

• Practice lesson delivery to execute curriculum at a high level while following the pacing guide with fidelity

• Create exemplar responses and documents for work to hold students accountable

• Use assessment data (Interim Assessments, MAP, EOGs, EOCs, summative, formative, etc) to drive instruction and make lesson adjustments to meet students needs

• Embrace and incorporate feedback in the spirit of pursuing excellence

• Maintain accurate gradebook, records, and data tracking systems

Help Build a Positive School and Classroom Culture

• Embody and maintain school’s values, policies and culture

• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement

• Maintain a clean classroom displaying student work and grade level/content appropriate decorations

•  Develop positive relationships with students, families, teachers and staff through regular positive phone calls to families, weekly newsletters about the classroom, and attending all required events, including but not limited to Back-to-School Night, Parent - Teacher Conferences, Athletic Events, occasional weekend community events, and Report Card Conferences

• Participate in the daily functions of the school, including but not limited to arrival, advisory / circle time, lunch duty, recess, and dismissal

 Demonstrate a Growth Mindset

• Collaborate with your coach identifying areas of strength and areas of growth for professional development each year

• Receive feedback - sometimes in real time during class, in one-on-ones, regular classroom observations, and school walkthroughs

• Attend Practice Clinics to master pedagogical skills and lesson delivery during prep time

• Attend school and/or regionally led Professional Development Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm each week and sometimes as needed for development

Required Qualifications

The following are required of all KIPP North Carolina teachers:

• A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students

• An unwavering commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion

• Possess a deep commitment to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from economically marginalized communities

• Valid North Carolina teaching license, ability to seek reciprocity, or willingness to pursue state certification

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant content area

• Pass Criminal Background Check

•  Demonstrated commitment to closing the opportunity gap

• Enthusiasm, grit, professionalism, and a sense of humor

• Ability to stand and actively monitor classrooms for 8+ hours each day

• Ability to lift 50 lbs or more as necessary

Preferred Qualifications

The following are not required but are advantageous for candidates:

• At least 2 full years of teaching experience in K - 12

• Experience in teaching in a high performing charter school and/or schools with a high population of students with free and reduced lunch

• Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of economically marginalized students

• Passed or will pass the Praxis exams by September 2025

• Fluency in Spanish

Additional Information

• Hours are M, Th, & F 7:30am - 3:30, Tu & W 7:30 - 5pm

• Curriculum, materials, and resources are provided

• Each month teachers have Teacher Work Days that include professional development, data analysis, and other important information to push their students’ learning forward

KIPP Employee Mindsets

• All Means All: At KIPP NC, we believe we serve the needs and do whatever it takes for every kid, no matter their needs, abilities, or levels.

• See a Need, Fill A Need: We believe that if there's a need at a school, that to be a great team player, we fill that need.  A teacher is absent?  We cover their class during our prep.  A student is crying in the hallway?  We comfort them whether or not they're our student.

• Openness to Feedback:  We believe that the only way for us to improve as professionals is to be open to feedback and add new tools to our toolbox.  We stay after to practice teacher moves, annotate lessons, submit our lessons for feedback, happily have admin in our classroom to observe, and never miss a one-on-one with our coach to discuss our practice and learn how we can grow.

• Student Centered:  At the end of the day, we always do what's best for kids.

Total Rewards - Compensation & Benefits

KIPP Gaston Compensation + salary supplements for active NC licensure

KIPP Charlotte / KIPP Durham Compensation + salary supplements for active NC licensure

We currently offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Salaries paid semi-monthly throughout the year

  • KIPP Gaston Compensation

  • KIPP Charlotte / Durham Compensation

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents

• Enrollment in an optional 403b with employer match up to 6% of wages

• On-going professional development opportunities:

  • Support programs for new teachers

  •  Assigned coaching and weekly/biweekly development meetings for all teachers

  •  Regular content and grade-level specific PDs

  • Teaching Licensure Support

• Generous time off:

• Paid Time Off  (5 days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually)

• Paid Time off for all major national holidays (including Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and minimally 5 weeks off during the Summer)

KIPP North Carolina is also committed to building the pipeline of the state’s most talented and effective teachers and leaders through competitive compensation, integrated professional development led by coaches and mentors, and resources they need to succeed, all rooted in core values that articulate our collectively designed organizational beliefs:

https://kippnc.org/mission-core-values/