About KIPP North Carolina

In 2020, KIPP Eastern North Carolina (KIPP ENC) and KIPP Charlotte took the first steps to begin to merge and form KIPP North Carolina Public Schools (KIPP NC). Starting in July of 2021, KIPP NC will be a network of eight high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools providing an academically rigorous and joyous school experience to more than 3,500 students in grades K-12 in Charlotte, Durham, Gaston, and Halifax. Additionally, KIPP NC will support several thousand alumni on their journey to and through high school, college, and career.   

Our History

KIPP NC will build on a rich tradition of academic excellence and relentless fight for social justice present from the founding of both KIPP ENC and KIPP Charlotte. KIPP ENC is the second oldest KIPP region in the nation. In its 20 years of operation, KIPP ENC has been a cornerstone for students and families in rural Gaston and Halifax, operating two primary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Over the past five years, it grew to serve even more students by opening up a middle school in Durham, an urban center in the center part of the state. KIPP Charlotte, which grew out of the strong traditions and academics of KIPP ENC, has supported students and families for the past 13 years, operating one primary school and one middle school in the largest city in North Carolina.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racist and Inclusive Schools

KIPP North Carolina will build upon the successes and experiences of KIPP ENC and KIPP Charlotte to provide inclusive school environments and an educational program that will enable our students to lead full lives and equip graduates to be future leaders and agents of change in North Carolina and beyond. KIPP NC also will continue to engage in direct, anti-racist work, and it will contribute meaningfully to the dismantling of structures of inequality within our organization, schools, and classrooms. KIPP NC will be committed to expanding our efforts to embed anti-racism in all of our activities and engagements within our classrooms and schools, across our organization, and throughout the State of North Carolina. All of this will be in a tireless effort to create classrooms that are homeplaces for our students, places where they feel safe, loved, validated, seen, and heard, places where all their beautiful identities will be affirmed and celebrated, and places where they will learn the academic knowledge and skills needed for college, career, and beyond.

FISHER FELLOWSHIP OVERVIEW:

The Fisher Fellowship is a highly-selective, one-year, cohort-based leadership development program that is designed to provide in-depth support and insight into the processes and best practices involved in school leadership while preparing fellows to open a new KIPP school. As an additional support, the Fisher Fellow will be enrolled in the Relay National Principals Academy throughout the 2021 - 2022 school year, which begins this summer.  While KIPP North Carolina will likely improve student outcomes at our current schools before we look to add any new ones, there is a growing interest in applying for a charter to operate an elementary school in Durham alongside our middle school already there. A Fisher Fellow would be instrumental in launching that school in the 2022-23 school year.

FISHER FELLOW RESPONSIBILITIES:

As part of the Fisher Fellowship, fellows are expected to actively participate in the year-long developmental process and proactively pursue their own development through engagement and commitment to the learning process. The fellowship year will be comprised of the following mandatory components:

• Summer Institute: An intensive, multi-week program with rigorous coursework taught by dynamic faculty and educational leaders.
• Intersessions: Four intensive multi-day leadership development sessions throughout the fellowship year.
• Residencies: 
  • Up to three residencies at KIPP schools outside the fellow’s region. Each three-day residency provides fellows with an opportunity to gain insight into the instructional, operational, and performance management practices of successful schools and school leaders. 
  • Additionally, fellows will take part in up to eight week-long school and operational residencies in their region.
  • All fellows are also required to attend a 1-day Residency Launch prior to completing their residencies.
• School Launch Plan: Creation of a comprehensive plan that guides the founding and growth of the fellow’s new school.  
• Coaching: One-on-one coaching with a leadership coach throughout the year.
• Continuous Support: On-going support from the Director of the Fisher Fellowship.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students
• An unwavering commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion
• Possess a deep commitment to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from low-income communities; experience working within predominantly Black, Brown, and/or low-income communities
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 5 years teaching experience in the classroom 
• At least 1 year managing and coaching teachers and / or leaders ( i.e. Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, Dean of Students, or Director of School Operations)
• Pass Criminal Background Check
• Zest, professionalism, and a sense of humor

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

At the time of application, we prefer that applicants have:

• Completed at least 2 years of experience in school-wide leadership as a principal, assistant principal, or dean
• Completed at least 3 years of teaching experience with demonstrated exemplary student performance results
• At least 1 year of teaching experience in a tested subject area ( i.e. 3rd/4th grade, math, or ELA)

COMPENSATION:

Fisher Fellows receive salary and benefits commensurate with their experience and on par with other KIPP North Carolina leaders. Additionally, all travel expenses and coursework associated with the fellowship are paid for by the KIPP Foundation.

KIPP North Carolina does not and shall not discriminate on the race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a veteran in any of its activities or operations.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

If you are a current KIPP employee, you must discuss this opportunity with your manager before applying.

The deadline to apply to the Fisher Fellowship for KIPP North Carolina is March 1, 2021. Please note that if your application progresses to the final stages of our process, we will invite you to an in-person selection event in April 2021.