[2025-2026] KIPP Change Academy Lead Exceptional Children Teacher (Grades K-5)

Organizational Overview

Every School. Every Student. Every Day.

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.

At KIPP, we see the gifts in everyone who walks through the doors of our schools. Especially our teachers. Their skill. Energy. Love. Their determination. On the good days and on the hard days. So we support our teachers to make the most of those gifts. It starts with respect – for our teachers’ innate talent and desire to learn, for their professional growth and the lives they lead beyond our walls. We offer pay and benefits that reflect our appreciation for the invaluable role our teachers play in lighting paths to opportunity for our students. And as our teachers progress through the day, the year and their careers, we ensure they always feel the KIPP Team and Family at their backs, with opportunities to lead, and support to grow. 

Together, our students, schools, families and communities share an ambitious mission to create a future without limits. And the only way to realize it is with talented teachers like you. Shape the future, for your students and yourself, by joining KIPP today.

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 – 5:00 pm 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

• Active North Carolina Exceptional Children License that is active on the first day of New To KIPP (July 2025)

• 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

• Physical Qualifications

  • Ability to stand for 8+ hours per day

  • Ability to carry up to 50 lbs

  • Ability to deescalate an escalated child

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 with our ECATS system

• 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 – 3:30, Tu & W 7:30 – 5pm

• Curriculum, materials, and resources are provided

• All teachers receive a stipend for their classroom so they don’t incur out-of-pocket costs 

• Each month teachers have Teacher Work Days that include professional development, data analysis, and other important information to push their students’ learning forward

KIPP Employee Mindsets

• All Means All: At KIPP NC, we believe we serve the needs and do whatever it takes for every kid, no matter their needs, abilities, or levels.

• See a Need, Fill A Need: We believe that if there’s a need at a school, that to be a great team player, we fill that need.  A teacher is absent?  We cover their class during our prep.  A student is crying in the hallway?  We comfort them whether they’re out student or not.

• Openness to Feedback:  We believe that the only way for us to improve as professionals is to be open to feedback and add new tools to our toolbox.  We stay after to practice teacher moves, annotate lessons, submit our lessons for feedback, happily have admin in our classroom to observe, and never miss a one-on-one with our coach to discuss our practice and learn how we can grow.

• Student Centered:  At the end of the day, we always do what’s best for kids.

Total Rewards – Compensation & Benefits

KIPP Gaston Compensation + $2k salary supplement

KIPP Charlotte / KIPP Durham Compensation + $2k salary supplement

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

• Salaries paid semi-monthly throughout the year

  • KIPP Gaston Compensation

  • KIPP Charlotte / Durham Compensation

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents

• Enrollment in an optional 403b with employer match up to 6%

• On-going professional development opportunities:

  • Support programs for new teachers

  •  Assigned coaching and weekly/biweekly development meetings for all teachers

  •  Regular content and grade-level specific PDs

  • Teaching Licensure Support

• Generous time off:

• Paid Time Off  (5 days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually)

• Paid Time off for all major national holidays (including Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and approximately 5 weeks off during the Summer)