Organizational Overview

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of eight tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of culturally relevant curricula that are grounded in research, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

KIPP North Carolina is also committed to building the pipeline of the state’s most talented and effective teachers and leaders through competitive compensation, integrated professional development lead by coaches and mentors, and resources they need to succeed, all rooted in core values that articulate our collectively designed organizational beliefs:

Pursue Excellence - 

We uphold high standards for our staff, and are committed to providing the necessary resources, training, mentorship and feedback to help each staff member not only meet, but exceed, expectations. We believe excellence is a habit and a sustained pursuit, not an endpoint.

Build Knowledge - 

We offer our educators robust school-based, regional and external professional development opportunities, before the start of and during the school year, designed to empower them with the latest teaching strategies and technology integration techniques. School Leaders and a statewide teacher development team provide professional coaching for school-based staff and foster collaborative learning, encouraging the exploration of effective teaching strategies and best practices.

Fight Injustice -

As a staff, we dismantle the white supremacy within our institution and deepen our own learning and understanding of anti-racism and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) through providing organization-wide regular workshops designed to holistically guide us through the redesign of our workplace culture through the lens of liberation. Additionally, we train and prepare our educators to deliver culturally responsive curricula that respect learners' cultures and prior experiences, and acknowledge and value the legitimacy of different cultures, not just the dominant culture of a society. 

Spark Joy - 

We believe in publicly and privately acknowledging and celebrating the outstanding contributions of our staff, and recognize exceptional individuals across the region. We also understand the importance of fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. We organize monthly school-based staff outings to provide an opportunity for our team to unwind, socialize, and engage in activities that promote camaraderie and a sense of community.

Rise Together - 

We create space for our region to assemble and celebrate all successes - a space in which we strengthen community by embracing each other’s unique identities, and honoring the contributions that will allow us to lift as we rise in the years ahead. We believe Team always beats Individual. 

The Opportunity

The Assistant Director for Middle School Literacy will provide instructional leadership in curriculum, assessment, and professional development for all 5-8 schools in North Carolina. The Assistant Director for Middle School Literacy will report directly to the Director of Literacy, and will drive 5-8 Reading achievement at KIPP NC. The Assistant Director for Middle School Literacy will work, in collaboration with schools and Regional Support Team colleagues, to implement high priority reading initiatives across KIPP NC. The Assistant Director for Middle School Literacy will also be expected to observe classrooms and provide feedback to leaders and teachers on implementation of high priority Reading initiatives across KIPP NC.

This is an ideal opportunity for a dynamic and visionary instructional leader looking to play a critical role in building and shaping a premier K-12 charter management organization committed to supporting students to graduate college and succeed in school and life.

Key Responsibilities

• Coaching and supporting leader and teacher growth in content knowledge and curriculum implementation

  • Weekly or bi-weekly coaching visits to work with leaders and teachers

    • During visits, activities could include: leading or co-leading a content team meeting, supporting individual teachers or leaders, leading intellectual prep meetings for teachers or leaders, modeling a lesson, co-observing, real-time coaching, etc. 

    • Depending on school needs and expectations, determine the best "service model" for each individual school: Assistant Principal support, Principal Support, Teacher Support

    • Build capacity in school principals, APs, and other leaders to support teacher development

  • Plan agendas prior to coaching visits

  • Follow up coaching visits with notes

  • Plan and communicate follow ups and next steps to principal and leaders/teachers

  • Support and manage execution and implementation of Literacy or Math components (role dependent) via instructional observations and walkthroughs, data and student work analysis, observing content team meetings, etc. 

• Analyzing student growth and achievement data regularly to determine next steps, adjustments, and enhancements to improve teaching and learning

  • Clearly articulate benchmark student performance goals for each grade level

  • Share data trends with individual schools and with T&L/Regional team members

  • Celebrate successes and share areas of opportunity

  • Thought partner with schools to determine next steps to address data

  • Lead, co-lead, or observe data meetings (both academic progress team meetings and teacher data meetings) to provide feedback and support facilitator development

• Leading and planning professional development that enhances teacher and leader content knowledge and practice, ultimately impacting student achievement

  • Prioritize staff training needs and to organize a plan for regional professional development

  • Oversee the implementation of the professional development plan and revise as necessary in response to teacher/leader/school needs

  • Summer Institute Professional development for new and returning teachers and leaders

  • Ongoing monthly regional PDs for Assistant Principals and teachers

  • School-based PDs as needed (at the request of schools)

• Strategic academic planning- thinking innovatively about the needs of our schools and what we may need to build/change in order to increase student growth and achievement

  • Project/Initiative planning

  • Utilize data to determine next steps/future strategy recommendations

• Managing, developing and revising curriculum and assessments as needed

  • Manage implementation of the ELA curriculum and assessments in grades 5-8

    • Revise lessons/units as needed to meet student and organizational needs

    • Revise/create regional assessments as needed

    • Revise/create Performance Training materials as needed

    • Create and Maintain scope and sequence documents and curriculum maps 

  • Manage/provide leadership and support for implementation of regional academic literacy priorities 

  • Manage curricular pilots/working groups to test new curriculum/instructional approaches and inform future decisions

Qualifications

KIPP NC’s Assistant Director for Middle School Literacy candidates will have the following:

• A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students

• An unwavering commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion

• A strong desire to collaborate with school leaders and Regional Support Team teammates in service to KIPP NC

• 5+ years of experience as an exemplary literacy teacher with strong student achievement results + exemplary teacher coaching and adult management experience in a high performing school serving a similar student population to KIPP North Carolina; strong command of the essentials of the Science of Reading and understanding of all the necessary components of a solid literacy program

• 3+ years of school leadership experience (Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean, Instructional Coach) with strong outcomes in driving results through others; strong command of instructional leadership competencies

• An understanding of the specific, unique characteristics of public charter schools, NC-specific knowledge a plus

• Outstanding leadership and management skills, particularly as it relates to building teams, working through others, promoting collaboration, managing conflict, goal setting, and holding people accountable

• An entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated success in building a program, department or organization

• The flexibility needed to accommodate the breadth and depth of responsibilities and priorities with middle schools that are spread out from Charlotte to rural, Eastern North Carolina

• Outstanding written, speaking, and organizational skills including excellence in backwards planning long-term goals and accountability and progress monitoring systems

• Ability to interact with a broad range of stakeholders with different interests and needs

• Possess a deep commitment to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from low-income communities; experience working within predominantly Black, Brown, and/or low-income communities

• Understanding and willingness to work in both rural and urban communities, including exhibiting resourcefulness and willingness to travel up to five hours within North Carolina multiple days per week based on need

• Must live in North Carolina; Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, ideal, given the area’s equal distance from our schools in Charlotte, Gaston, and Halifax

Additional Information

• This role is required minimally to be on-site in all schools 3 half days per month.  More may be needed due to necessary support
• This is a 12 month role and may work after hours outside of normal working hours

Compensation

This role is a Salary Band 4, ranging from $82,000 - $95,000 based on years of relevant experience, educational attainment, and proficiency in the role.

In addition, all RST members receive the following benefits:

• Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents
  • with a $1200 HRA that is replenished annually
• Optional enrollment in a 403b retirement program with employer match up to 3%
• On-going professional development opportunities
• Generous time off:
  • Paid Time Off  (17 days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually)
  • Time off for all major national holidays (including Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break)