KIPP Texas Public Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network, dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for college success and choice-filled lives. Today, KIPP Texas operates 59 public charter schools educating over 31,100 students across four regions – Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. KIPP schools are part of the free public school system and enrollment is open to all students. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income families.

ROLE OVERVIEW:
A KIPP Texas Public Schools - Houston Teacher will provide students with appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth.
This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas Public Schools because it helps ensure that all students are equipped with the right tools and a safe environment to learn.  


The Teacher will:

1. Plan a program of study that, as much as possible, meets the individual needs, interests, and abilities of the students
2. Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning and is developmentally appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students
3. Prepare lessons that reflect best practices and accommodations for individual differences of students
4. Prepare for classes assigned and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisor
5. Encourage students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior
6. Guide the learning process toward the achievement of curriculum goals and, in harmony with the goals, establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects to communicate these objectives to the students
7. Employ a variety of instructional techniques and instructional media consistent with best practices, specific content knowledge, the physical limitations of the space provided, and the needs and capabilities of the individuals or student groups involved.
8. Strive to implement, by instruction and action, the district’s philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives
9. Assess student learning, through observations, authentic performance, and more formal methods, in an ongoing manner, providing frequent student feedback, information to parents and written progress reports
10. Utilize diagnostic assessment tools to identify learning strengths and needs of every student, on a regular basis, for the purpose of intervention and/or acceleration toward academic and leadership standards
11. See the assistance of Student Support Services, S3, as needed
12. Take  necessary and reasonable precautions to assure safety in the classroom and the school for all students
13. Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations
14. Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct
15. Develop reasonable rules of classroom behavior
16. Maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner
17. Make provisions for being available to the students and to the parents for education-related purposes outside of the instructional day when required or requested to do so under reasonable terms
18. Provide time in the evening, by phone, for questions and concerns that students and/or parents may have regarding education-related issues that could not be handled during the school day
19. Plan and supervise a purposeful assignments for teacher aide(s), teaching fellow(s), and co-teachers(s), while coaching and supporting their professional growth
20. Maintain and improve professional competence
21. Participate in all professional development opportunities
22. Actively participate in team meeting sand serve on staff committees
23. Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues
24. Establish and maintain open lines of communication with students, parents, and community members
25. Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Education and Knowledge:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Texas Teacher Certificate appropriate for level and/or subject area of assignment, if applicable
• Must be considered highly-qualified based on NCLB guidelines, if applicable
• Experience in elementary literacy intervention 

 
Skills:

• Ability to establish rapport with families and children
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
• Ability to work both on broad-based strategy and everyday details
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internal and external to the district
• Independent, self-starter with a strong focus on student development  and a passion for working with underserved student populations and their families
• Proven written and verbal communication skills with all levels of management, both internal and external to the district
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Possession of a passionate and loving attitude toward all children
• Possession of a belief in inquiry-based learning and constructivist methods
• Possession of a sense of urgency to do whatever it takes to assure that every student gets to and through college
• Commitment to the vision, mission, values and goals of KIPP Texas
• Motivation to grow as an educational professional
• Desire to implement curriculum, instruction, and assessment that is cutting-edge based on educational research
• Willingness to be an active member of a professional learning community focused on action research within the school and the classroom 
• Responsiveness; Follow-up and follow-through with students, families, and faculty members is essential   
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines

Compensation and Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary scale, a part of KIPP Texas’ competitive benefits options, KIPP offers all employees an $0 HMO plan for the employee only. In addition to our $0 plan, KIPP provides a $600 employer contribution towards a Health Savings Account and a variety of other supplemental benefits such as Dental, Vision, Short and Long-Term Disability, Pet Insurance, Life, etc.