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 285 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP Columbus plays a critical role in ensuring our students are on the path to get to and through college. Our educators are passionate advocates for our students and their families, working tirelessly to ensure that all have access to opportunity. We work to create authentic and meaningful learning experiences for students through the use of academically rigorous content and a joyful classroom culture.  Our Electives Team teaches our students key subjects such as Music, Social Justice, Physical Education, Computer Science, Technology, Health, and more!  

Key responsibilities of the Electives Teacher include the following:

• Craft, internalize, and implement high quality lesson plans using provided curriculum resources within assigned subject area to meet the diverse needs of all learners
• Set and work towards achieving measurable, challenging, and realistic student goals
• Create a classroom culture that promotes learning and a love for assigned subject area, and that is developmentally appropriate to the maturity and interests of the students
• Regularly assess student performance and use data to inform instruction
• Employ a variety of instructional techniques that meet the individual needs and abilities of the students, differentiating as necessary
• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with students and families based on trust and respect.
• Participate in the daily functions of the school such as morning, lunch, and afternoon supervisory duties.
• Attend critical school events such as staff meetings, open houses, and parent-teacher conferences.
• Develop individualized learning plans for students and communicate these plans to families in parent meetings and conferences.
• Meet professional obligations including timeliness and consistency in meeting deadlines.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred
• Experience working with children required
• Current Ohio Teaching License strongly preferred or willingness and ability to pursue certification by start date
• 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

Sign on Bonus:  Successful candidates for the 22-23 school year, who are new to the KIPP Columbus team, are eligible to receive a $3,000 bonus ($1,000 provided after the first 90 days of employment, and the remaining $2,000 upon the successful completion of the school year).

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.