Diverse Learners Teacher

Company Description

ABOUT KIPP MICHIGAN

At KIPP Michigan, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful mission: Together with families and communities we create joyful academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose--college, career, and beyond--so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.  

Currently, KIPP Michigan operates 1 school: KIPP Detroit Imani Academy [Elementary School].  KIPP Detroit Imani Academy is the state of Michigan’s first KIPP school.  And the first KIPP school in the city of Detroit.  KIPP Detroit Imani Academy opened in the fall of 2022 in the Warrendale neighborhood on the west side of Detroit. 

We believe the destiny of students from Detroit are limitless and students should not be bound by their circumstances. Unfortunately, in America, there is still a link between socioeconomic status and educational attainment.  KIPP Detroit Imani Academy seeks to eradicate this injustice.  KIPP Detroit Imani Academy will become the highest performing school in the city of Detroit; and, to do so, we attract, develop and retain a diverse and talented staff of educators.  Our students and families will choose our schools because our teachers are exceptional educators who work together as a collective to ensure students achieve and thrive.  For more data and information about our successes and vision for the future, visit www.kippdetroit.org

Job Description

In school year 2022-2023, KIPP Imani launched with Kindergarten and has added grades each year; it will, eventually serve students in grades K-5.  The founding team at KIPP Imani has included Grade-Level teachers, Diverse Learning teachers, Paraprofessionals and Elective Teachers. KIPP Imani will also be supported by an operations team and student support team to ensure a strong foundation for the school’s continued founding and growth. 

Our Diverse Learning teacher will ensure we effectively support the needs of our KIPPsters (who may or may not already have documented specialized learning needs), as well as create a strong foundation for student support at KDIA.  As KIPP Detroit grows, Diverse Learners Teachers will serve caseloads of high-incidence, cross-categorical students through pushing-in to content classrooms and pulling small groups of students out to a resource room.

IEP Tasks

• Write initial, annual and tri-annual IEPs in alignment with city and state compliance systems
• Inform general education teachers of IEP goals as necessary
• Monitor and support implementation of goals and objectives in general education classrooms
• Provide and/or support modifications and accommodations as needed in general education classrooms
• Keep IEPs updated as to the achievement of goals and objectives at the end of every quarter
• Issue quarterly progress reports on IEP goals for students & families
• Schedule coordinate, and chair the annual IEP meetings in collaboration with families, appropriate clinicians and general education staff
• Maintain a portfolio of student work samples, anecdotal data, and classroom observations
• Encourage parent partnerships and maintains positive communication with families regarding student progress
• Work with the Principal, Assistant Principal and general education teachers to ensure all students receive appropriate accommodations and modifications during formal and informal assessments

Case Management Tasks

• Assume responsibility for case compliance and student academic progress
• Maintain special education file
• Ensure all evaluation recommendations are followed up and completed
• Work with clinicians to ensure related services are being delivered
• Provide input on clinicians’ performance evaluations as appropriate and necessary

Our expectations for all teachers at KIPP Detroit include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A belief that all students can and will learn and be successful at our schools 
• Practice a growth mindset about oneself and all others at the school, including seeking help and engaging in self-reflection in order to constantly refine one’s own teaching
• An understanding that organizational success is accomplished in collaboration and cooperation with teammates
• Maintain standards of professionalism and ethical behavior/decision-making that help create a results-driven culture of  joy and belonging amongst teammates
• A commitment to pursuing anti-racism in our schools and work together
• Demonstrate genuine concern for the students and the staff by maintaining high personal standards and strong work ethic
• Being consistent and reliable; attendance is an essential function to assure the proper operation of KIPP Detroit Imani Academy
• Communicate frequently and consistently with students and families, including after school via phone, regarding academics, behavior, logistics, and homework help
• Use best practices in alignment with school-wide systems to manage student behavior and create a safe, affirming, warm/demanding, and joyful classroom environment
• Set specific, ambitious growth targets for all students and identify and leverage all necessary resources to ensure they meet them
• Use best practices to backwards plan weekly and daily instruction that is tightly aligned to prescribed unit objectives and student needs as demonstrated by assessment data
• Assess students daily, weekly, and at the ends of units and analyze and share assessment data through school-wide systems
• Use best practices, including differentiation with instructional technology and other techniques, to execute engaging instruction at a level rigorous for all students
• Collaborate throughout each day with grade level and content teams, sharing responsibility for all students at all times

KIPP Michigan 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.

Our supports for teachers’ work include, but are not limited to the following:

• A recent model of laptop computer
• Principals and assistant principals who are routinely present throughout the building and day
• One-on-one meetings with a principal and/or assistant principal once per week to discuss student progress and the teacher’s development
• Quality coaching to help develop teachers content knowledge and classroom management skills 
• Collaboration with grade-level and content teams 
• A daily prep period each day
• Frequent in-building professional development from school leadership
• A rigorous prepared curriculum In-building technology support
• Highly efficient and thoughtful scheduling, including for special events like field lessons or testing windows
• A team of ambitious, talented staff, every single one committed to our important work

Qualifications

The minimum qualification for a Diverse Learner Teacher are:

• Bachelor’s degree or better from an accredited university or college (required)
• Active Michigan Teachers Certification or active teachers license that can be transferred to MI (strongly preferred) 
• At least two years’ prior success teaching in urban communities (strongly preferred)
• A cleared Criminal Records Check.
• All KIPP Michigan staff are required to provide documentation of full Covid-19 vaccination by or before their start date unless approved for medical or religious exemption.    

Additional Information

KIPP Michigan is the Educational Service Provider to KIPP Detroit Imani Academy. As such, KIPP Michigan is the employer for this role.   

COMPENSATION

KIPP Michigan offers a competitive compensation and benefits package:

• Salaries based on experience related to role and responsibilities
• Competitive rates for medical insurance and short-term disability insurance.  Dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability insurance are offered at no cost.
• Competitive retirement savings benefits 
• Stipends for additional leadership and enrichment leadership  

INTERVIEW & ONBOARDING PROCESS 

To apply, please submit your application and resume for the role. Please apply immediately, as applications are accepted and roles are filled on a rolling basis.  The interview process for this position includes a phone/zoom interview, a round of in-person interviews, submission of a performance task, and reference check.  

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

KIPP Michigan is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment. KIPP Detroit does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic background. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.