[2024 – 2025] KIPP Academy Charlotte Science Lead Teacher

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 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.  As a KIPP North Carolina Teacher, your core responsibilities include:

Instruction Preparation & Delivery

• Review, internalize, and prepare KIPP NC adopted 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
• 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 feedback often and implement it with fidelity
• 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 – 5:00pm each week

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
• 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 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 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 Charlotte 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)