KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 255 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating at 3x the national average for low-income students.

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently serves nearly 2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth. During the 2018-2019 school year, and for the third year in a row, KIPP Columbus had the highest amount of academic growth of any community school in Ohio.

The mission of KIPP Columbus is to create a system of schools where students develop the intellectual, academic, and social skills needed to understand and take action on issues they encounter in everyday life. By establishing a rigorous, safe, and personalized learning environment, KIPP Columbus will foster a culture of responsibility and service and empower all students to become active and engaged citizens. Our vision is to ensure that all students in our community will have access to a transformational education that empowers them with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary for success in college and life.

At KIPP Columbus, we recognize the critical importance of finding, developing, and supporting the best possible teammates to ensure our KIPPsters can be their best. To that end, our team is accepting applications for the Academic Specialist of Diverse Learning position.  The Academic Specialist of Diverse Learning is responsible for ensuring that all students at KIPP Columbus are receiving the academic support they need to be successful. As a member of the school support team, this role will oversee the development of KIPP Columbus’s academic programming for our students with special needs, ensuring that every single student has the academic support needed to be successful. 

Key responsibilities of the Academic Specialist of Diverse Learning include the following:

Strategy and Implementation

• Develop and manage the Special Education academic programming at KIPP Columbus

• Ensure every student has a plan for academic success

• Select appropriate assessments for evaluation and progress monitoring

• Create a structure to systematically monitor student achievement

• Create differentiated, ongoing professional development for intervention specialists 

• Co-Develop and co-oversee a comprehensive Response to Intervention (RtI) program across the region

• Create goals & track progress; create regular data reports and analysis

• Consult with school leaders to help them choose appropriate intervention programs

Compliance and Accountability

• Provide comprehensive, holistic reporting of special populations (Special Education, English Language Learning) student performance data to the Executive Director, Head of Schools, Assistant Director of Student Services and School Leaders

• Formulate policies and procedures for new or existing programs and activities (e.g. inclusion model, co-teaching, etc.), resulting in a full continuum of student services

• Monitor and follow-up with EMIS reporting relating to special populations 

• Track and monitor data that must be submitted to Fordham or EpiCenter on behalf of the Student Services Department

• Ensure that all records are effectively maintained and that timelines are consistently met for initial evaluations, annuals, and revaluations

• Evaluate school level Special Education, ELL, RtI, and Gifted programs to ensure that objectives for student education are met

• Lead weekly meetings with intervention specialists and coaches to ensure students are on track to meeting academic goals

• Attend all school weekly or monthly department meetings

Management & Support

• Observe and provide feedback to all intervention specialists and TESOL teachers

• Disaggregate school data sets and lead the implementation of data-driven instructional decisions at the network level

• Provide ongoing professional development and individual training to special education, leaders who coach intervention specialists and general education teachers that includes research-based interventions, data analysis, and assessment modifications

• Four-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

• Minimum of three years of successful, full-time, lead teaching experience in low-income communities

• Minimum of four years of experience leading and/or coaching teachers

• Strong track record of results and leadership in a school setting

• Experience in analyzing student data and using data to inform instruction

• Special Education certification or English Language Learning certification

• Experience with and strong knowledge of local, state, and national Special Education, ELL, Gifted, and Counseling laws and mandates

• Strong record of helping all students achieve academic success

• Understanding of Response to Intervention (RtI) programs and experience in implementing RtI programs in schools

• Awareness of web-based IEP management software such as PowerSchool Special Programs 

• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students

• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem-solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community

• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students

• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities

• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off. 

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.