About KIPP Detroit

At KIPP Detroit, 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.  We believe the destiny of students from Detroit are limitless and students should not be bound by their circumstances. Unfortunately, in 2021 America, there is still a link between socioeconomic status and educational attainment.  KIPP Detroit seeks to eradicate this injustice.  Our vision is for 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

KIPP Imani will open in the fall of 2022 in the Warrendale neighborhood on the west side of Detroit. Led by a seasoned founding school leader, KIPP Imani will launch with Kindergarten students SY 22-23 and add grades each year to eventually serve students in grades K-4.  The founding team at KIPP Imani will include Kindergarten Teachers, Kindergarten Co-Teachers, Diverse Learning Teachers, Paraprofessionals and Arts Teachers.KIPP Imani will also be supported by a robust operations team and student support team to ensure a strong foundation for the school’s founding and growth. 

Kindergarten Co-Teachers will work directly with a lead Kindergarten Teacher to ensure an efficient and supportive student:teacher ratio for learning.

Kindergarten Co-Teachers work in a single Kindergarten homeroom supporting a Lead Kindergarten Teacher.  The role is not an assistant teacher role.  There is an equal division of work between the Co-Teacher and the Lead Kindergarten Teacher; both plan and execute equal parts of whole-group and small-group instruction.  Typically Kindergarten Co-Teachers are novice teachers, teachers whose experience is in pre-K, or teachers with only one year of experience leading a whole classroom in a formal academic setting.  The Lead Kindergarten Teacher has more prior experience in Kindergarten and is able to provide daily supervision, modeling, and feedback to the Co-Teacher as they develop.  Effective Co-Teachers often progress to be Lead Teachers after one or two years in this role.  

Our expectations for Kindergarten Co-Teachers at KIPP Detroit include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A belief that all students can and will 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

• A commitment to pursuing anti-racism in our schools and work together

• Dependable attendance according to our extended school year and extended school day

• 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, 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 Detroit Schools 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

• School-wide Social Emotional Learning curriculum and practices

• 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

• 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

The minimum qualification for a Kindergarten Co-Teachers are:

1. Bachelor’s degree or better from an accredited university or college (required)

2. Active Michigan Teachers Certification or active teachers license that can be transferred to MI (preferred) 

3. At least two years’ prior success teaching in urban communities (strongly preferred)

4. A cleared Criminal Records Check.

5. All KIPP Detroit staff are required to provide documentation of full Covid-19 vaccination by or before 10/15/2021, unless approved for medical or religious exemption. (Updated 8/24/2021).  

COMPENSATION

KIPP Detroit Schools 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 interview with our recruiter, submission of classroom teaching video, reference check and final round interview with School Leaders.  The start date for this position is Monday August 8, 2022 for New Staff Orientation. 

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION

KIPP Detroit 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.