ABOUT KIPP

Together with families and communities, KIPP creates 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. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students.

ABOUT KIPP ALBANY COMMUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS (KIPP ALBANY)

KIPP Albany Community Public Charter Schools (KIPP Albany) is a network of high-performing public schools that has been committed to creating joyful, academically excellent schools in Albany since 2005.  KIPP Albany is affiliated with KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Public Schools, a national network of over 10,000 educators serving 160,000 students and alumni. For the 2021-2022 school year, KIPP Albany schools will serve over 1,600 students in grades K-8 and will employ more than 225 staff.  We are committed to furthering anti-racism, equity, and racial justice in all our efforts, and expect all of our stakeholders to participate in this work so that we can create a future without limits for our students, together.

Further regional growth is on the horizon with the Troy Prep K-12 schools planning to join the KIPP Albany network (new name TBD) at the start of the 2022-23 school year. Serving over 2,500 students in grades K-12 at seven schools across the Capital Region will allow increased curriculum offerings for students, professional development for staff, and enhanced family and community partnerships. 

ABOUT KIPP ALBANY COMMUNITY CHARTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (KACCES)

KIPP Albany Community Charter Elementary School (KACCES) is a kindergarten through grade five elementary charter school.  We are an urban school with a student population in which 93% of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch, and 98% of the students are Black or Latino. We offer an extended school day, a longer school year, two instructors per class, school uniforms, and a variety of afterschool programs. Our school places a high value on collaboration, community, and culture. We have made a commitment to developing an environment that affirms and celebrates the racial and cultural identities of our students and recognizes the critical importance of having teachers and leaders that reflect the communities we serve. As our mission statement states, “We seek to develop in our students the academic and social skills necessary to enable them to discover their unique gifts and talents in order to become responsible public citizens dedicated to the advancement of one’s self, one’s family, and one’s community”.  In 2012 ACCS was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, one of the first charter schools in the State of New York and the first in the City of Albany to receive that distinction. Albany Community Charter Elementary is excited to join the KIPP network and become a KIPP school to access more of the curriculum, professional development, and other resources available within the network to provide more opportunities to the community we serve.

Responsibilities

The elementary school special education teacher will develop and teach engaging lessons that follow the rigorous, Common Core aligned curriculum and provide individual or small group instruction for students who require additional academic support. Additionally, the special education teacher will:

• Differentiate small group instruction for students with special needs

• Prepare student individualized education plans in consultation with staff and families to ensure success for all scholars

• Utilize formal and informal assessment data to drive instruction and ensure student mastery of standards

• Build a warm and inclusive classroom environment, implementing the practices of Responsive Classroom

• Create and maintain strong relationships with students and families

• Actively participate in grade-level meetings, collaborative planning, and professional development, including an annual summer institute

• Accept ultimate responsibility for the academic progress of his or her students, and work to actively overcome setbacks

• Prepare and track documentation 

Staff and reporting relationships

The elementary school special education teacher reports to the special education coordinator. Our special education teachers collaborate with the student services team.

• NYS SPED certification in any subject/grade level 

• The ability to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported and challenged

• Passion and commitment to teaching scholars in underserved areas and to closing the achievement gap 

• Relentless drive to set and achieve ambitious goals

• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills

• Growth mindset and ability to use feedback to improve practice

• Experience teaching in underserved areas a plus

Start Date:

This position has a start date of August 1, 2021.

Compensation:

Competitive salary and benefits package including health coverage and retirement.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

KIPP Albany is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Albany is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.