Job Description

24-25 Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

About KIPP DC:

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 7,000 students and employing 1,400 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 seek out teachers who are passionate about educational equity, driven by student and family relationships, and constantly seeking to grow.

Special Education at KIPP DC:

At KIPP DC, we employ special education teachers to implement specialized instruction in our 20 schools (PK3-12). This position is for grade levels PreK3 - Kindergarten. Special education teachers at KIPP DC work alongside general education teachers, the student support team, and families to create and implement intentional and rigorous individualized educational programs (IEP) for our students. Our special education team delivers services through a continuum of supports from least restrictive (i.e., inside general education) through most restrictive (i.e., self-contained programming) to ensure that students are receiving the targeted instruction they deserve. KIPP DC offers a variety of models that include both inclusion and small group settings. Special education teachers report to their school leader, while also receiving coaching and support from our student support team.

Professional Development: 

At KIPP DC, we offer a variety of support to our special educators. Special education teachers have access to blended learning programs to supplement their curriculum and receive specific coaching from our special education and academic coaches to help tailor their lesson plans to meet the student needs. Each campus has student support leaders to serve as a guide throughout the IEP process. For candidates who are looking for additional development, we also offer the Fellowship in Special Education that prepares teachers to become certified in special education in the District of Columbia.

Why teach Special Education at KIPP DC?

• Collaboration . Through ample planning time, grade level and content meetings, and development and wellness days, teachers work collaboratively with peers at their school and across our six middle schools.
• Growth . Teachers receive feedback and support from school leaders, network content coaches, grade-level chairs, and other teammates to improve their teaching craft. We also offer opportunities to develop leadership skills including grade-level chair, fellowships, and leadership cohorts.
• Highly competitive compensation and benefits. Our instructional salary scales are at the top of the DC market and affirm KIPP DC’s value of teachers as the cornerstone of schools.

Qualifications

• Mission Alignment
  • Commitment to KIPP DC’s mission and to advancing its antiracist ambition through their work with staff, students, alumni, and families
  • Subscribe to our Vision for Teaching Excellence and commit/contribute to constant professional growth and development
  • Build trusting relationships with staff, students, and families 
• Instructional Responsiveness & Content Knowledge
  • Internalize and teach challenging and engaging lessons linked to Common Core and informed by instructional data
  • Internalize and teach lessons aligned to student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and progress monitor instructional data toward mastery of the goal(s) 
  • 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
  • When applicable, mentor a Capital Teaching Resident, if assigned to your classroom, by modeling excellent teaching, gradually releasing classroom teaching responsibilities, and implementing weekly coaching and feedback conversations
• Individualized Education Program (IEP) Case Management 
  • Serve as a case manager for students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP’s) on your assigned caseload 
  • Create and update Student IEP One-Pagers that summarize IEPs for school colleagues 
  • Routinely collect data aligned to IEP goals for students on your assigned caseload 
  • Complete and distribute quarterly Progress Reports for students on your assigned caseload 
  • Ensure students on your caseload receive mandated accommodations on classwork and assessments 
  • Collaborate with related service providers toward IEP implementation for students on your assigned caseload
  • Collaborate with general education teachers to ensure that accommodations and supplemental aids and services are being implemented with fidelity across the school day for assigned caseload 
  • Attend and actively participate in all IEP Team Meetings for assigned caseload 
  • Complete required documentation (i.e., IEP Present Levels of Performance, Analysis of Existing Data, IEP Goals, Draft IEP Services) for assigned caseload 
  • Close out required documentation in the special education database (as assigned) 
  • Collaborate with the student support team regarding school-based special education referrals 
• Care of Students & Classroom Culture
  • 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
  • Create a responsive and inclusive environment for parents and families
• Other Information & Requirements
  • While students receive instruction from 8:00 am-3:30 pm, KIPP DC teachers are on duty in school Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm two times a week, and 7:30 am to 4:00 pm three times a week.
  • Perform clerical duties, as required, relating to textbooks, instructional supplies, student reports and records, attendance reports, etc.
  • Perform morning, lunch, and afternoon duties as assigned
  • Pass all required background check requirements under the School Safety Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018
  • 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. We will communicate them to all employees with as much notice and flexibility as possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Required) 
• Commitment to working with students from communities with limited access to quality educational opportunities (Required)
• At least one year of teaching experience in a public school or education degree with student teaching experience (Strongly Preferred)
• Experience/strength in content area (Preferred)
• Experience in Special Education and writing 504s and IEPs (Preferred)

Compensation & Benefits:

• When it comes to compensation, at KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. We look at compensation benchmarks in schools across DC. Teacher salaries are exempt and start at $65,500 and increase with years of experience. Please see the salary scale here . Teachers can earn up to $5,000 in renewal add-ons to their base salary each year they return to KIPP DC.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 10 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, paid Thanksgiving week break, winter break, spring break, and summer break. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.
• All employees who use public transit through WMATA are eligible for pre-tax deductions for transportation costs.
• Teachers are provided with a laptop computer for work and access to a discounted cell phone plan for staff/student/parent calls.
• Teachers have access to KIPP DC’s additional development and enrichment opportunities such as Special Education Fellowship, School Culture Champion Grants, Classroom Innovation Grants, and various fellowship and pilot programs launched each year .

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

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 of victim a survivor 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.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org . Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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