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.

A KIPP Texas  Associate Teacher will provide students with appropriate learning activities and experiences designed to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social growth. The Associate Teacher role is an opportunity to provide associate teachers the classroom and school experience they need to become excellent teachers under the guidance of one or more lead teachers and administrative staff. 

This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas because it helps ensure that all students are equipped with the right tools and a safe environment to learn.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

The Associate Teacher will:

1. In collaboration with the Lead Teacher, 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. Observe lead teachers and debrief on classroom management and instructional strategies. Meet with lead teachers to plan lessons and discuss upcoming classroom events

6. Encourage students to set and maintain standards of classroom behavior

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Strive to implement, by instruction and action, the district’s philosophy of education and instructional goals and objectives

10. 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

 Competencies:

1. 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

   1. Seek the assistance of Student Support Services as needed

2. Take necessary and reasonable precautions to assure safety in the classroom and the school for all students

3. Maintain accurate, complete, and correct records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations

4. Assist the administration in implementing all policies and rules governing student life and conduct

   1. Develop reasonable rules of classroom behavior

   2. Maintain order in the classroom in a fair and just manner

5. 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

6. 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

7. Maintain and improve professional competence

   1. Participate in all professional development opportunities

   2. Actively participate in team meeting sand serve on staff committees

   3. Maintain a professional relationship with colleagues

8. Establish and maintain open lines of communication with students, parents, and community members

9. Perform other job-related duties as assigned

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred

• Student teaching experience, tutoring or volunteer work with students is preferred.

Skills:

• Ability to establish rapport with families and children

• 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

• Commitment to the vision, mission, values and goals of KIPP Houston

• 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

• Ability to travel throughout the district and the city

Compensation and Benefits

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.