Immediate Opening [2024-2025] KIPP Charlotte Exceptional Children’s Teacher (K-4)

KIPP NC is a network of eight high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools providing an academically rigorous and joyous school experience to more than 3,500 students in grades K-12 in Charlotte, Durham, Gaston, and Halifax. KIPP NC supports several thousand alumni on their journey to and through high school, college, and career.   

KIPP NC is building on a rich tradition of academic excellence and relentless fight for social justice present from the founding of both KIPP ENC and KIPP Charlotte. KIPP ENC is the second oldest KIPP region in the nation. In its 20 years of operation, KIPP ENC has been a cornerstone for students and families in rural Gaston and Halifax, operating two primary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Over the past five years, it grew to serve even more students by opening up a middle school in Durham, an urban center in the center part of the state. KIPP Charlotte, which grew out of the strong traditions and academics of KIPP ENC, has supported students and families for the past 13 years, operating one primary school and one middle school in the largest city in North Carolina.

KIPP North Carolina is building upon the successes and experiences of KIPP ENC and KIPP Charlotte to provide inclusive school environments and an educational program that will enable our students to lead full lives and equip graduates to be future leaders and agents of change in North Carolina and beyond. KIPP NC is engaging in direct, anti-racist work, and contributes meaningfully to the dismantling of structures of inequality within our organization, schools, and classrooms. We’re committed to expanding our efforts to embed anti-racism in all of our activities and engagements within our classrooms and schools, across our organization, and throughout the State of North Carolina. All of this will be in a tireless effort to create classrooms that are homeplaces for our students, places where they feel safe, loved, validated, seen, and heard, places where all their beautiful identities will be affirmed and celebrated, and places where they will learn the academic knowledge and skills needed for college, career, and beyond.

Who You Are

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

Compensation is based on years of relevant years of experience and educational attainment.  You can see our Lead Teacher scale here.

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

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents
• Enrollment in a 403b 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
• Sick Leave and Extended Sick Leave
• Teacher work days after long breaks
• Time off for all major national holidays and observance of religious holidays 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.