Middle School Lead Teacher (5th-8th Grade) 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

The vision of Middle Schools at KIPP DC is to have inclusive, identity affirming and learning rich spaces where student voice is elevated and student growth is emphasized. We want our students to feel supported in their growth areas and recognized for all of their strengths, so we strive to develop both their academic and social/emotional skills.  

Through powerful lessons and relationships, middle school teachers lead student learning in English Language Arts, math, science, social studies, special education, and a diverse range of specials courses. In core subjects, 5-8th grade teachers implement research-based curricula that are Common Core aligned and student centered. Curricula is added to and revised by a committee of teachers and leaders focusing on culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy. All teachers reinforce a love of reading by integrating authentic literacy tasks across content areas. 

Through ample planning time, grade level and content meetings, and wellness and development days, teachers work collaboratively with peers at their school and across our six middle schools in the network. Teachers receive feedback and support from school leaders, network content coaches, grade level chairs, and other teammates. School culture at the middle school level is grounded in Positive Behavior Incentives Systems (PBIS) led by a dedicated PBIS Coordinator at each school. Student identity and creativity is recognized through weekly celebrations and a myriad of clubs ranging from Project Lit to martial arts.

KIPP DC has six middle schools:

• KIPP DC AIM Academy
• KIPP DC Honor Academy
• KIPP DC KEY Academy
• KIPP DC Northeast Academy
• KIPP DC WILL Academy
• KIPP DC Valor 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 
• 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 years of teaching experience in a public school or education degree with student teaching experience (Strongly Preferred)
• 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)