Our Mission

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college and the world beyond. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, English Language Learners, and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them. We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization.  Read more at Diversity Equity Inclusivity Vision.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA.  Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter.  Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are African American and 11% are other races/ethnicities.

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston Elementary (serving grades K-4), and KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades 5-8), are both under our Boston charter.  Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are African American, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races/ethnicities.

Across both districts, in school year 2020-21 KIPP Massachusetts will serve over 2,100 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, or KIPP National, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students.  KIPP National has a 25-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

There are 242 KIPP schools in 20 states plus the District of Columbia educating over 100,000 students on their path to and through college and career.  We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students.  KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

This is a varied and dynamic role, as well as a critical one, within the KIPP MA Family Advocacy Community Engagement (FACE) Team. The team is focused on driving and supporting our family and community engagement work, as well as our advocacy strategy through our family and community engagement efforts. Reporting to the Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, the Director of Advocacy will identify, define, develop, and maintain key relationships in the community, through our legislators, community based organizations, and our families. This is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is passionate about education equity and accessibility, has a relentless drive to deliver results, and who is motivated and empowered by the opportunity to serve as an external leader for KIPP MA, galvanizing diverse stakeholders in support of KIPP MA’s mission.

This role will oversee two main buckets of work:

1. Build Power and Engagement in the Broader Community: you will do this through management of recurring initiatives and programs outlined below
2. Build an Advocacy Coalition within KIPP MA Families: you will do this through owning and managing recurring initiatives and program outlined below

Responsibilities of this Role:

Recurring Initiatives:

KIPP Votes is an initiative to help ensure that KIPP students, teachers, and staff are registered and ready to vote in local and presidential elections.  In this role you will organize, plan, develop, and lead KIPP Votes through:

• Information Sessions 
• Voter Registration Drives with Students, Staff, and Families
• Phone Banking in partnership with Community Partners
• Curriculum & Workshops using resources from When We All Votes through the KIPP Foundation partnership
• Partnering with the KIPP Foundation 

MA Charter Public School Advocacy Week is an initiative that invites all MA Charter Public School supporters to raise their voices to celebrate our schools and the value they add to the public education system.  In this role you will engage families in MA Charter Public School Advocacy week through:

• Mobilizing Families
• Information Sessions
• Partnering with MCPSA
• Completing action items and tasks aligned to objectives and goals of MA Charter Public School Advocacy Week

National Charter Parent Advocacy Day is an initiative that invites all Charter Public School supporters to raise their voices  to celebrate our schools and the value they add to the public education system on a national level, potentially out of state.  In this role you will engage families in National Charter Parent Advocacy Day  through:

• Information Sessions
• Mobilizing Families
• Travel Logistics 
• Completing action items and tasks aligned to objectives and goals for National Charter Parent Advocacy Day

Recurring Programming:

Civic Engagement Series

• Develop, organize, and lead a Civic Engagement Series for family and community members that incorporates elected officials and community activists in sessions.

Family Leadership Empowerment Program

• Develop, organize, and lead a Family Leadership Empowerment Program that incorporates researched based leadership and empowerment strategies and practices, family and community speakers,  topics on Self Advocacy (Advocating for yourself), Family Advocacy (Advocating for your family and other families), KIPP MA Advocacy (advocating on the behalf of KIPP), and topics based on family interest.

Annual Ongoing:

• Participate in the Advocacy Fellowship in partnership with the KIPP Foundation. Flexibility to travel out of state is required.
• In partnership and collaboration with the Chief of Equity and Engagement, the Chief of Operations, and the Managing Director of Development and Communications build out and execute our 5 year Strategic Advocacy Plan
• Develop and manage relationships with a broad base of constituents from targeted neighborhoods (including faith-based institutions, public officials, local government agencies, social service agencies, teachers and school leaders), and build their support for KIPP MA
• Initiate and conduct at least one school visit a month with influential community members and elected officials (city and state-wide). This will be done in collaboration with the Development and Communications team
• Schedule regular correspondence (emails, birthday cards, holiday cards, etc.) with elected officials that have an impact on our schools and broader community
• Attend key community events to build relationships with elected officials and community leaders
• Gain keen knowledge of various aspects of our schools and surrounding neighborhoods, including other schools, community members and local groups/associations
• Participate in all MCPSA Calls (occur weekly)

At KIPP, we believe that an excellent staff member does the following:

• Believes that all of us can and will learn and creates a positive learning environment with high expectations for all students and staff throughout the school;
• Love and have an unwavering belief in the high potential of all students
• Commitment to anti-racism and equity
• Thrives as part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture;
• Exudes joy and a love of learning every single day;
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development;
• Constantly assesses progress, communicates results clearly, and uses data to inform decisions and set ambitious goals;
• Has a strong work ethic and commits to doing whatever it takes for students to excel, including committing to an extended work day and remaining available to colleagues, students, and families outside of school hours

Experience and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Ability to work frequently on evenings and weekends (required for meetings/events)
• Ability to travel to school locations (driver’s license and reliable transportation) and move around school buildings

Skills and abilities

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, appropriate and compelling for a senior, external audience
• Self-starter with an intense focus on results and the ability to persevere through challenges to reach goals
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Detail-oriented, responsive, and organized professional 
• Ability to problem solve, navigate and lead through complexity
• Demonstrates a growth mindset and a desire to continually improve through feedback, coaching, and professional development
• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times
• Previous experience with advocacy and community engagement a plus
• Previous experience in the charter realm a plus
• Familiarity with the Boston and/or Lynn Community a plus 

Attitudes

• A belief in the mission and values of KIPP
• Committed to the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels
• Passion for education equality and access
• Motivated by a fast-paced, diverse, collaborative working environment
• A flexible can-do approach, self-motivation, resilience and a willingness to adapt to the changing needs and priorities in the team and across the organization
• Considerable tact and discretion in dealing with highly confidential information
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity 

Regional Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively
• This role is ineligible for Out-of-Region Hybrid due to on-campus requirements
• COVID-19 vaccination required, unless medically or religiously exempt
• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

KIPP MA 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. 

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that teachers will engage in to help promote a positive and calm learning environment and culture.

What We Offer

The starting base salary range for this exempt position is $75,000 to $90,000 (per 1.0 FTE/45 hours per week) with a $1,000 signing bonus—and $2,000 retention and $3,000 longevity bonuses in subsequent years. We offer a comprehensive tiered benefits plan, with a competitive employer contribution toward premiums for health insurance, including coverage for spouse/domestic partner and/or children. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, flexible PTO, life insurance, work-life balance benefits, paid family and medical leaves, flexible spending account options, parenting and elder care benefits, free access to financial coaching and services, commuter benefits, 403(b) plans, individualized coaching, and referral bonuses. KIPP MA may offer a relocation stipend to help defray the cost of moving for this role, where applicable.

All staff and educators at KIPP MA are committed to anti-racism and inclusion, are part of a close-knit diverse community, and are encouraged to show up authentically, inspiring our children to do the same. For more information on the benefits of joining KIPP MA, please view our Employee Value Proposition. 

Application process

Internal candidates: If you are currently a member of the KIPP MA team, please apply by emailing your resume to the Recruitment Team at [email protected].  Be sure to indicate to which position you wish to apply.     

External candidates: If you do not currently work for the KIPP MA team, please visit our job board at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/KIPP/massachusetts and complete an online application.

1. The KIPP MA Recruitment Team will select candidates to move forward to the video/phone screen interview stage.
2. Following the phone interview, the KIPP MA team will invite qualified candidates to interview with KIPP MA School or Regional Office Teams.