Company Description

Our Mission

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college and the world beyond. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, Multilingual Learners (MLL), and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them. We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization. Read more at Diversity Equity Inclusivity Vision.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA. Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter. Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are African American and 11% are other races/ethnicities.

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston Elementary (serving grades K-4), and KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades 5-8), are both under our Boston charter. Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are African American, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races/ethnicities.

Across both districts, KIPP Massachusetts serves over 2,200 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, or KIPP National, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students. KIPP National has a 25-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

There are 242 KIPP schools in 20 states plus the District of Columbia educating over 100,000 students on their path to and through college and career. We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students. KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

Job Description

Lead Teacher, Special Education - Inclusion at KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School

KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School is looking for talented, committed, and culturally competent Special Education Inclusion Lead Teachers who are passionate about ensuring that all of our students are growing and achieving. By providing students with a variety of supports, Special Education Inclusion Lead Teachers typically work with students through inclusive teaching and small group pull outs. Most Special Education Inclusion Lead Teachers co-teach and/or co-plan in Math and ELA (English Language Arts) classes. In doing so, the Special Education Inclusion Lead Teacher collaborates with the homeroom/Lead Teacher in co-planning and co-instructing lessons and units, and co- assessing to provide the guidance and support of accommodations, modifications, and resources so that all students have access to the content and curriculum in a way that provides rigor, success, and achievement. In addition, the Special Education Inclusion Lead Teacher will write and manage IEP paperwork and meetings, communicate with students and families about student progress, and advocate for students as needed.

This multifaceted role is ideal for flexible and creative teachers who are passionate about serving our highest-need students and are excited by the challenge of digging into content, anticipating misconceptions, and implementing best practices that will lead all students to content mastery. Prior experience with Special Education laws and paperwork is a bonus, but not required as Special Education Teachers will receive training and assistance from our regional Special Education team. Special Education Teachers are empowered to use their expertise to do whatever it takes to help our students succeed.

This role requires consistent and reliable demonstration of the following essential job functions and key responsibilities:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Classroom Responsibilities

• Ensure that all children feel affirmed, valued, and challenged every day

• Create and foster a positive and safe learning environment

• Support in the co-creation and internalization of rigorous and engaging units and daily lesson plans with the homeroom/Lead Teacher

• Set specific, ambitious growth goals for students on caseload and leverage all necessary resources, including student advocacy when needed, to ensure they meet them

• Ongoing progress monitoring of student progress towards IEP goals

• Use special education best practices to execute engaging instruction at a level rigorous to all students including but not limited to accommodations, modifications, monitoring of extra time, small group instruction/pull out, etc.

• Infuse core values into lessons and every school practice, implementing school-wide student culture systems and positive classroom management strategies

• Regularly analyze student work from caseload compared to other students to support in student-specific modifications and accommodations

• Support in maintaining accurate student grades/records and strong lines of communication with students and families regularly regarding students’ growth and progress

• Provide feedback and support to homeroom/Lead Teacher around curriculum and instructional best practices to support students on caseload

• Build strong working relationship with homeroom/Lead Teacher to effectively collaborate on curriculum, instruction and classroom management in support of students

School and Professional Responsibilities

• Obtain required MTEL and SEI endorsements with financial support from KIPP MA within the first year of employment in addition to free study support (please review this doc to see requirements). Preferred: Obtain special education licensure as soon as qualified to do so.

• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and during the academic year

• Take ownership for the development of your craft and seek feedback from your coach (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with coach, implement feedback, engage in co-planning and active practices, participate in live coaching, etc.)

• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) coverage, bus, lunch, and dismissal duties

• Develop strong relationships with families through participating in school events and consistent phone calls home

• Be willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to accountability, change, and improvement

• Collaborate with grade level and content teams to update and advocate for students on caseload

• Write, lead, and manage IEP and 504 paperwork and meetings with students, families, and teachers

• Dependable attendance according to our school calendar

General Requirements and Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively

• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

• Demonstrated ability to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make reasonable judgments and decisions in a timely manner in accordance with the needs of the school

• Self-awareness, flexibility and emotional intelligence to navigate a setting with students who express diverse needs

• The consistent use of interpersonal and self-management skills to effectively support behavioral and emotional needs of students to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as build relationships and manage conflict with students, staff, and caregivers

• Effective communication skills to perform assigned duties and to meaningfully exchange information with students, staff, families and others in person, through written communication, in front of groups, and on virtual platforms

• Physical mobility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing/pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead

• Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and/or carry 20 pounds of materials or supplies and to physically restrain a student to keep from harming themself and/or others in an emergency situation

• Manual dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment

KIPP MA teachers are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in the teaching role. Our leaders maintain consistent school-wide systems and procedures - academic, behavioral, cultural, logistical - designed to permit teachers to do their best work.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that staff will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Love and unwavering belief in the high potential of all students

• Commitment to anti-racism and equity

• Demonstrated ability to drive student growth and achievement and to create a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment

• Passion for Special Education and demonstrated commitment to professional learning

• 2+ years of full-time teaching experience (in Special Education preferred)

• Preferred: Special Education licensure

• Bachelor’s Degree required

• Computer literacy and baseline familiarity with Google Suite

• Pass Criminal Background Checks

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables all of our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Additional Information

What We Offer

The minimum base salary for this exempt position is $55,000 to $89,500 (per 1.0 FTE/45 hours per week), depending on years of experience after your Bachelors degree (+$3,000 for 1st advanced degree and +$1,500 for 2nd advanced degree). The role includes a $1,000 signing bonus—and an annual $2,000 retention bonus in subsequent years, as well as other bonuses, when eligible. For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.