Elementary Special Education Teacher

POSITION OVERVIEW
The Special Education Teacher will play an essential role in ensuring all of our students have the support they need to be successful. Working with one grade level, the Special Education Teacher will deliver both small group and one-on-one academic and behavioral intervention.

Teachers at KIPP Indy Unite Elementary are responsible for delivering effective, high-quality, rigorous instruction in their classroom that produces strong results and student understanding. Teachers will use data to inform their instruction and do whatever it takes for all students to learn. Teachers at KIPP Indy Unite are committed to leading and teaching through an anti-racist lens, will work to make their classrooms safe, joyful environments, and build relationships with their students to ensure every student can be successful.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver both push-in and pull-out academic interventions in small groups
• Deliver behavioral and socio-emotional interventions and help to identify coping mechanisms and strategies
• Develop relationships with all students and families on your grade level
• Collaborate and support teachers with your grade level around de-escalation, student calm-down, and reflection strategies
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Student Services to lead intervention meetings with your grade and to manage the RTI process with your grade

• Hold high expectations for each student
• Possess a strong knowledge of content areas
• Demonstrate strong pedagogy
• Implement the school-wide student management policies within classrooms and everywhere on campus
• Exhibit positive rapport with students
• Create and foster a positive learning environment
• Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all parents
• Be available for Open Houses, Parent-Teacher Conferences and other events involving parents
• Assist in development of curriculum, standards, and lesson planning
• Serve on school committees as needed
• Perform clerical duties, as required, relating to textbooks, instructional supplies, student reports and records, attendance reports, etc.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Exhibit positive rapport with students, families, and staff
• Internalize lesson plans to execute at a high level
• Use assessment data to inform planning and modify lesson plans to meet the needs of students
• Maintain a safe and organized classroom
• Implement the school-wide student management policies within classrooms and everywhere on campus
• Establish and maintain strong communication lines with all families
• Participate in weekly content professional development meetings outside of school hours
• Serve on school committees as needed
• Perform clerical duties, as required, relating to textbooks, instructional supplies, student reports and records, attendance reports, etc.

EXPECTATIONS

• Demonstrate willingness to go above and beyond for students, staff, and families
• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including two weeks during the summer, weekly school-wide meetings, and ongoing racial equity trainings
• Provide time in the evening, by phone, for questions and concerns that students and/or families may have regarding education-related issues that could not be handled during the school day
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings and communicate openly with all staff
• Uphold the code of conduct and all school policies
• Be available for open houses, family conferences, and other events involving families

COMPETENCIES

• Believes deeply that all students can learn and deserve a high-quality education
• Exhibit KIPP Indy Unite Elementary values of joy, teamwork, love, and grit
• Perseveres through challenges and is adaptable to change
• Understands their own strengths and weaknesses and shows initiative in seeking ways to always improve
• Develops strong relationships
• Communicates across lines of differences and proactively creates inclusive environments
• Plans carefully to meet both short- and long-term goals and holds themselves accountable to meeting goals
• Uses data to solve problems

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Indiana Teaching License or seeking reciprocation (Required)
• Bachelor’s degree (Required)
• Pass a criminal background check (Required)
• Commitment to working with underserved students (Required)
• At least two years of teaching experience in an urban public elementary school (Preferred)
• Experience in analyzing student data and using data to inform instruction (Preferred)
• Possess a strong knowledge of content areas (Preferred)
• Expert in content areas of literacy or math (Preferred for upper grades)

VISION
At KIPP Indy Unite Elementary, our goal is that every student will have the academic foundation, character strengths, and support necessary to succeed in college, to live a life of choice, and to make a positive impact in our community. To do this, we live by Walter Payton’s words, “We are stronger together than we are apart.” We leverage the unique perspectives, talents, and strengths of each member of our community in order to solve problems, inspire growth, and maximize learning. Combining technology and collaborative learning with rigorous academic standards, we will prepare students for their journey to and through college. With joy and enthusiasm, we instill a love for learning and we embrace challenges as opportunities for both individual and community growth.

ORGANIZATION

KIPP is a non-profit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools with a 20+ year track record of providing an excellent college-prep education that sets students up for success in whatever life path they choose. KIPP currently educates more than 100,000 students in 255 schools across the country, including Indianapolis. KIPP Indy Public Schools (KIPP Indy) was founded in 2004 with one class of fifth grade students and has grown to educate more than 1,250 students across three schools. KIPP Indy Unite Elementary was founded in 2014 with 100 kindergarten students and has grown a grade level each year to educate more than 600 students in grades K-5 in the 2020-21 school year. Of the students that attend KIPP Indy, 93% qualify for free and reduced lunch, 93% are African American, and 20% receive special education services. We will continue to grow KIPP Indy’s network of schools to educate a total of 1,400 students in grades K-12.

COMPENSATION
Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience, and includes benefits. Teachers are also eligible for performance-based bonuses.

KIPP Indy Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.