Elementary Lead Teacher (1st – 4th Grades) for the 2021-22 SY

KIPP DC Overview

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system, that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes. We are a network of eighteen schools educating nearly 7,000 students and employing 1,200 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to our mission. As part of the KIPP network’s 255 schools, we share best practices and innovations with our peers across the city and country.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We pride ourselves on providing unparalleled professional development and leadership opportunities. We acknowledge the demands of the teaching profession and continually seek to improve sustainability, benefits, and supports for teachers. We are seeking teachers who are passionate about educational equity, driven by student and family relationships, and constantly seeking to grow.

Job Description

ELEMENTARY AT KIPP DC:

KIPP DC elementary schools are committed to building joyful classrooms with rigorous instruction that prepare students for success in middle school and beyond. Teachers cultivate a love of learning through balanced literacy and math instruction, build confidence and self-advocacy through classes that highlight students’ talents and passions, and ensure that all students receive the targeted support they need through meaningful intervention and support. Elementary classrooms provide a space for all students to feel loved and a sense of belonging. Our teachers work alongside families to support students as they learn the social-emotional skills and strategies to navigate the classroom, school, and the world around us.

Through best-in-class professional development, weekly content and coaching support, and a culture of data analysis and reflection, teachers work collaboratively with their peers to become better in their craft and to meet the needs of each of their students. Teachers receive regular feedback and support from teacher leaders, school-based literacy coaches, a regional math coach, a vice principal assigned to their grade level or content area, and other members of our network academic support team. In addition to content support, teachers have access to extensive professional development both within their school and the network.

Elementary teaching roles at KIPP DC include:

• Lead Teacher: Lead classroom teachers in grades 1-4 provide core literacy, writing, and math instruction in a self-contained environment. Experienced lead teachers may have the opportunity to mentor a Capital Teaching Resident.
• Specials Teachers: Specials, or electives, teachers in elementary schools vary by school. Current specials offerings in our elementary schools include physical education, dance, music, theatre, computer science, and art.
• Special Education Teachers: Special education teachers work with students to accomplish goals on their individual education plans (IEPs) in both a push-in and pull-out setting. While most schools follow the inclusion model, some elementary schools also support students who need more individualized instruction with a self-contained environment.
• General Knowledge Teachers: General Knowledge teachers are key to supporting the various needs of our students in each school, and the responsibilities of each role are determined by the principal. Examples of General Knowledge roles in our schools include Science Teachers, Science Lab Teachers, Interventionists, Restorative Practices Coordinators, Family Support Coordinators, and RtI Support Coordinators. 

KIPP DC has five elementary schools:

• KIPP DC Quest Academy
• KIPP DC Spring Academy
• KIPP DC Lead Academy
• KIPP DC Heights Academy
• KIPP DC Promise Academy

KEY REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to KIPP DC’s mission and to advancing its antiracist ambition through their work with staff, students, alumni, and families
• Subscribe to the Vision for Teaching Excellence and commit/contribute to constant professional growth and development
• Build trusting relationships with staff, students, and families 
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and make adjustments as needed to support students and families
• Show initiative in generating ideas and solutions; solves problems and achieves results beyond what is expected
• Display an incredible work ethic and a passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture
• Internalize and teach challenging and engaging lessons linked to Common Core and informed by instructional data
• Build a classroom culture that empowers students, affirms their identities, and creates a sense of belonging for all students
• Implement the school-wide and classroom management policies and practices
• When applicable, mentor a Capital Teaching Resident (CTR), if assigned to your classroom, by modeling excellent teaching, gradually releasing classroom teaching responsibilities, and implementing weekly coaching and feedback conversations
• While students receive instruction from 8:00am-4:00pm, KIPP DC teachers are on duty in school Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm two times a week, and 7:30am to 4:35pm three times a week.
• Perform morning, lunch, and afternoon duties as assigned
• Perform clerical duties, as required, relating to textbooks, instructional supplies, student reports and records, attendance reports, etc.
• Attend staff meetings, professional development sessions, and team meetings
• Respond to student and family phone calls as soon as possible 
• Pass a criminal background check, as required by law
• Additional responsibilities may arise during the school year. This could include but not limited to: attending staff and student field trips, open houses, parent-teacher conferences, home visits, and other events involving parents and students as needed. They will be communicated to all employees with as much notice and flexibility as possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Required) 
• Commitment to working with students from communities with limited access to quality educational opportunities (Required)
• At least one year of lead teaching experience in a public school (Required)
• KIPP DC prefers all teachers to be “Highly Qualified”, which includes a Bachelor’s degree and passing the appropriate Praxis exam(s) (Preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in content area (Preferred)
• Experience/strength in content area (Preferred)
• Experience teaching in a predominantly African-American environment (Preferred)