Immediate Opening [2024 - 2025] KIPP Gaston Exceptional Children Teacher - KIPP North Carolina Public Schools

Organizational Overview

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.

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 lead by coaches and mentors, and resources they need to succeed, all rooted in core values that articulate our collectively designed organizational beliefs:

Pursue Excellence - 

We uphold high standards for our staff, and are committed to providing the necessary resources, training, mentorship and feedback to help each staff member not only meet, but exceed, expectations. We believe excellence is a habit and a sustained pursuit, not an endpoint.

Build Knowledge - 

We offer our educators robust school-based, regional and external professional development opportunities, before the start of and during the school year, designed to empower them with the latest teaching strategies and technology integration techniques. School Leaders and a statewide teacher development team provide professional coaching for school-based staff and foster collaborative learning, encouraging the exploration of effective teaching strategies and best practices.

Fight Injustice -

As a staff, we dismantle the white supremacy within our institution and deepen our own learning and understanding of anti-racism and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) through providing organization-wide regular workshops designed to holistically guide us through the redesign of our workplace culture through the lens of liberation. Additionally, we train and prepare our educators to deliver culturally responsive curricula that respect learners' cultures and prior experiences, and acknowledge and value the legitimacy of different cultures, not just the dominant culture of a society. 

Spark Joy - 

We believe in publicly and privately acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our staff, and recognize exceptional individuals across the region. We also understand the importance of fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. We organize monthly school-based staff outings to provide an opportunity for our team to unwind, socialize, and engage in activities that promote camaraderie and a sense of community.

Rise Together - 

We create space for our region to assemble and celebrate all successes - a space in which we strengthen community by embracing each other’s unique identities, and honoring the contributions that will allow us to lift as we rise in the years ahead. We believe Team always beats Individual. 

Who You Are

**This role is located in Northampton County**

You are eager, driven, and excited about being a world class teacher for children, delivering top tier curriculum in a structured environment. You are excited to perform at a high bar and you want support from your school and region to ensure students are growing and are mastering the material.  You are a lifelong learner who is eager for weekly Professional Development, excited to have a dedicated mentor and coach who provides actionable feedback you can implement in your classroom, and go the extra mile to build your skills. You are not afraid of hard work but welcome a challenge and want to pursue excellence.

KIPP NC teachers believe in doing whatever it takes to help students succeed, whether that means delivering a tested, well researched and crafted curriculum for student achievement, building relationships with students and families, or putting in the elbow grease to hone their skills and build their capacity as world class educators.

Your responsibilities as an Exceptional Children Lead Teacher

KIPP North Carolina Exceptional Children Teachers are at the core of our mission to support our students with special needs to access the general education curriculum through a resource model.  As a KIPP North Carolina EC Teacher, your core responsibilities include:

Instruction Preparation & Delivery

• Review, internalize, and prepare KIPP NC approved curriculum
  • K - 8 Math: Zearn
  • K - 4 ELA: Bookworms
  • 5 - 8: ELA: KIPP Wheatley
  • K - 8 Science: Amplify
  • 9 - 12 All Subjects: KIPP Foundation Provided Curriculum
• Practice lesson delivery to execute curriculum at a high level
• 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, 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 weekly feedback and implement it with fidelity
• Attend Professional Development Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00pm each week

Specific EC Teacher Responsibilities

• Provide specially designed  instruction (SDI) to students who qualify for special education services within a resource, co-taught, or self-contained setting
• Utilize the general education curriculum, research based programs, and evidenced based practices to plan and deliver instruction for students with disabilities based on their individualized education plans 
• Provide consultation to classroom teachers regarding classroom accommodations, instructional modifications, adaptive equipment, behavior modification plans, and other similar instructional interventions to meet the needs of students with disabilities
• Provide care and/or instruction in self-help skills such as toileting, dressing, feeding, positioning, etc., as needed
• Develop and ensure proper implementation of student Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) across the total school environment
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of annual reviews, reevaluations, and initial referrals
• Maintain accurate, complete, and correct IEP records as required by law, regional policy, and administrative regulation to include service delivery tracking and progress monitoring
• Administer educational evaluations for special education placement as needed
• Communicate effectively and regularly with school staff and parents about student progress and needs
• Develop and maintain a classroom culture that encourages student responsibility, cooperation, and mutual respect consistent with school policies and procedures
• Build positive relationships with students, parents, staff members, and community stakeholders
• Perform other duties as deemed necessary and assigned by school leadership staff, the EC Program Specialist, and Managing DIrector or Student Support Services

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 low-income 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
• Zest, grit, professionalism, and a sense of humor

Preferred Qualifications

The following are not required but are advantageous for candidates:

• At least 2 full years of teaching experience in EC / SPED General Curriculum in a pull-out or push-in setting
• Experience writing IEPs and 504s for students with varying abilities
• 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 traditionally under-served students
• Passed or will pass the Praxis exams by September 2024
• Fluency in Spanish

Additional Information

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

Compensation

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

KIPP NC Gaston Compensation Scale

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents
• Enrollment in a retirement program with employer match
• On-going professional development opportunities:
  • Support programs for new teachers
  •  coaches and weekly coaching meetings for all teachers
  •  Regular content and grade-level specific PDs
• Generous time off:
  • Paid Time Off  (5 days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually)
  • Time off for all major national holidays (including Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and 7 weeks off during the Summer)