KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 59 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to 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.

Founded in Houston in 1994, and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in our classrooms, in our offices, and in the communities we serve is unwavering. We are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join our Team and Family and champion equity, chase excellence, persist with purpose, bring joy, and help us rise together.

KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. 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 communities.

About the Opportunity

The Reading Academies Manager is an essential position that drives the implementation of Reading Academies.  This includes adhering to state compliance, professional development and evaluation of Reading Academics while supporting elementary academic achievement at KIPP Texas’s Elementary Schools. The Reading Academies Manager  will report to the Deputy Chief of Academics (DCA), will receive direction from the Literacy Leads and work closely with Reading Academies Cohort Leads.  The Reading Academies Manager will collaborate and communicate with Regional Academic Leaders, School Leaders and APIs to ensure the effective implementation of all aspects of Reading Academies and ELA programming. The Literacy Lead will spend half of their time managing teacher and leader participation in Reading Academies and ensuring 100% completion within one year. The Reading Academies Manager’s other responsibilities include working with a portfolio of schools in which to leverage tools and resources aligned to Reading Academies that drive results, and improve teaching and learning, in collaboration with the Literacy Leads.

Duties and Essential Job Functions:

1. Texas Reading Academies Cohort Manager (60% of time) 

• Coordinate training from TEA through the LMS platform. 

• Lead one to three cohorts of up to 100 participants per cohort. 

• Provide online scaffolded supports to ensure educator understanding and application of evidence-based literacy instruction. 

• Establish a virtual literacy community of educators through hosting weekly office hours and materials review for participants. 

• Moderate online discussion of participants through LMS platform.

• Provide digital scoring and feedback on artifacts from all participants (10 artifacts total). 

• Supports KIPP:Texas employees with implementing foundations of the Science of Reading in classrooms.

• Analyze participation and submission data within cohorts and create action plans to ensure participant success. 

1. Reading Academies Implementation Manager (20% of time)

• Implementation of Literacy Stance and vision. 

• Monitors teachers' efficacy in applying new skills and impact on student learning, adjusts approach as necessary to achieve goals for teacher improvement and student achievement.

• In collaboration with Regional Academic leaders, and school principals, identify opportunities to continue to refine and improve our current instructional practices.

• Analyze Reading Academies PD and Implementation network data in collaboration with the Literacy Leads and DCA.

• Communicate network Reading Academies data to  Regional Academic Leaders, School Leaders, and School Deans, to create schools based action plans.

1. Support Academic Recovery (20% of time)

• Proactively analyzes portfolio data to develop appropriate action plans and communicate with the appropriate individuals using data to drive decisions and action at the campus and regional level.

• Provide high quality, effective professional development to drive improvement in teacher effectiveness and student outcome

• Collaborate with KIPP Texas curriculum writers and achievement specialists to adapt curriculum and blended learning strategies as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, curiosity, gratitude, growth mindset, and a sense of humor

• A passion for and commitment to being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven organizational culture

• Ability to evaluate and implement Early Literacy PD and Instructional programs aligned to the science of reading

• Strong communication skills and follow-through

• Demonstrated initiative in prioritizing amidst complex needs and strategically planning to get results

• Flexibility and ability to multi-task within an ambiguous, fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment while also driving toward clarity and solutions

• Demonstrated ability and desire to grow and learn quickly

• Knowledge of Early Literacy content, learning theory and current educational trends

• Experience planning and leading engaging and effective professional development for adults

Required Education and/or Experience: 

• Minimum 2 years exemplary elementary teaching experience with strong student achievement results

• Minimum 1 year exemplary leadership coaching and management experience

• Passing score on the HB3 Cohort Leader Screener (willingness to study and complete if not already applicable).

Location:

Houston, TX

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.

Funding:

The Manager, Reading Academy will be funded directly from the Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ESSER) grants awarded by the Texas Education Agency under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (ESSER II) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ESSER III). This position will be funded solely (100%) from the ESSER II and III allocation for direct expenses through September 30, 2023, and may continue to be funded through September 30, 2024, depending upon the availability of ESSER grant funds. At the end of the grant period this position may be eliminated unless other sources of funds are secured to maintain this position or a similar position. The employee must sign this job description acknowledging receipt of the job description and signing their acknowledgement that this position is grant funded and is temporarily aligning with the terms of the grant period.