Immediate Elementary STEM Teacher (Grades 1-4)

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 20 schools educating 7,300 students and employing 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to our mission.

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.

ELEMENTARY AT KIPP DC:

KIPP DC elementary schools are committed to building joyful classrooms with rigorous instruction that prepare students for success in middle school and beyond. Teachers cultivate a love of learning through balanced literacy and math instruction, build confidence and self-advocacy through classes that highlight students’ talents and passions, and ensure that all students receive the targeted support they need through meaningful intervention and support. Elementary classrooms provide a space for all students to feel loved and a sense of belonging. Our teachers work alongside families to support students as they learn the social-emotional skills and strategies to navigate the classroom, school, and the world around us.

Through best-in-class professional development, weekly content and coaching support, and a culture of data analysis and reflection, teachers work collaboratively with their peers to become better in their craft and to meet the needs of each of their students. Teachers receive regular feedback and support from teacher leaders, school-based literacy coaches, a regional math coach, a vice principal assigned to their grade level or content area, and other members of our network academic support team. In addition to content support, teachers have access to extensive professional development both within their school and the network.

Elementary teaching roles at KIPP DC include:

• Lead Teacher: Lead classroom teachers in grades 1-4 provide core literacy, writing, and math instruction in a self-contained environment. Experienced lead teachers may have the opportunity to mentor a Capital Teaching Resident.
• Specials Teachers: Specials, or electives, teachers in elementary schools vary by school. Current specials offerings in our elementary schools include physical education, dance, music, theatre, computer science, and art.
• Special Education Teachers: Special education teachers work with students to accomplish goals on their individual education plans (IEPs) in both a push-in and pull-out setting. While most schools follow the inclusion model, some elementary schools also support students who need more individualized instruction with a self-contained environment.
• General Knowledge Teachers: General Knowledge teachers are key to supporting the various needs of our students in each school, and the responsibilities of each role are determined by the principal. Examples of General Knowledge roles in our schools include Science Teachers, Science Lab Teachers, Interventionists, Restorative Practices Coordinators, Family Support Coordinators, and RtI Support Coordinators.

KIPP DC has five elementary schools:

• KIPP DC Quest Academy
• KIPP DC Spring Academy
• KIPP DC Lead Academy
• KIPP DC Heights Academy
• KIPP DC Promise Academy
• KIPP DC Inspire 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
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and make adjustments as needed to support students and families
• Show initiative in generating ideas and solutions; solves problems and achieves results beyond what is expected
• Display an incredible work ethic and a passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture
• 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.

• Bachelor’s degree (Required)
• Commitment to working with students from communities with limited access to quality educational opportunities (Required)
• At least one year of lead teaching experience in a public school (Required)
• 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)
• Experience teaching in a predominantly African-American environment (Preferred)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package. Read below or visit our website for our teacher salary scales and other benefits.
• Salaries for staff are competitive with added compensation for KIPP DC’s extended day and year, along with additional bonuses. Teacher salary scales can be viewed on our website.
• KIPP DC offers its employees competitive rates for medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. KIPP DC’s plans include options for Health Savings Accounts, Flex Spending Accounts, and access to OneMedical.
• KIPP DC also offers its employees a 403(b) retirement account with employer contributions and matches vesting after three years.
• All employees who use public transit are eligible for pre-tax deductions for transportation costs through a partnership with WMATA
• Teachers are provided with a laptop computer for work and access to a discounted cell phone plan for staff/student/parent calls.
• All teachers participate in ongoing professional development throughout the school year at the school, regional, and network-wide level as well as attend principal-approved conferences; KIPP DC regularly holds professional learning days throughout the year on various topics ranging from functional skill development to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training
• Teachers have access to KIPP DC’s additional development and enrichment opportunities such as RELAY’s Masters of Arts in Teaching program, Special Education Fellowship, School Culture Champion Grants, Classroom Innovation Grants, and various fellowship and pilot programs launched each year
• KIPP DC employees have access to a robust parental leave policy to support employees as they grow their families.
• KIPP DC has various support programs in place during the pandemic, including extended sick leave and robust health and safety protocols and training programs.

How to Apply:

Please apply immediately, as applications are accepted and roles are filled on a rolling basis. All interested applicants should visit https://www.kippdc.org/join-our-team/apply-now/. For questions or issues with your application, please contact careers@kippdc.org.

EEO STATEMENT:

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race; color; national origin; immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law); religion; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions); age; physical or mental disability; medical condition; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); marital status (including domestic partnership status); genetic information; political affiliation; pregnancy; family responsibilities; personal appearance; veteran status; uniform service member status; status of being unemployed; status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking; matriculation; or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information

KIPP DC requires all staff to provide proof that they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine (meaning they have received a full course of a COVID vaccine and receive a booster, when they are eligible) or obtain approval for exemption due to medical or religious reasons before beginning employment. New hires who have not received all doses of a COVID vaccine, who are eligible for a booster but have not received it, or who are awaiting approval for exemption will not be able to begin employment.