Job Description
Lead Teacher, Special Education - Inclusion at KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School
KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School is looking for talented, committed, and culturally competent Special Education Inclusion Lead Teachers who are passionate about ensuring that all of our students are growing and achieving. By providing students with a variety of supports, Special Education Inclusion Lead Teachers typically work with students through inclusive teaching and small group pull outs. Most Special Education Inclusion Lead Teachers co-teach and/or co-plan in Math and ELA (English Language Arts) classes. In doing so, the Special Education Inclusion Lead Teacher collaborates with the homeroom/Lead Teacher in co-planning and co-instructing lessons and units, and co- assessing to provide the guidance and support of accommodations, modifications, and resources so that all students have access to the content and curriculum in a way that provides rigor, success, and achievement. In addition, the Special Education Inclusion Lead Teacher will write and manage IEP paperwork and meetings, communicate with students and families about student progress, and advocate for students as needed.
This multifaceted role is ideal for flexible and creative teachers who are passionate about serving our highest-need students and are excited by the challenge of digging into content, anticipating misconceptions, and implementing best practices that will lead all students to content mastery. Prior experience with Special Education laws and paperwork is a bonus, but not required as Special Education Teachers will receive training and assistance from our regional Special Education team. Special Education Teachers are empowered to use their expertise to do whatever it takes to help our students succeed.
This role requires consistent and reliable demonstration of the following essential job functions and key responsibilities:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Classroom Responsibilities
Serve as a lead or co-lead in a classroom (or classrooms), with responsibilities that may include: leading a class independently, co-teaching, short- or long-term coverage, or stepping into a lead classroom role later in the year based on the school's needs.
Ensure that all children feel affirmed, valued, and challenged every day
Create and foster a positive and safe learning environment
Support in the co-creation and internalization of rigorous and engaging units and daily lesson plans with the homeroom/Lead Teacher
Set specific, ambitious growth goals for students on caseload and leverage all necessary resources, including student advocacy when needed, to ensure they meet them
Ongoing progress monitoring of student progress towards IEP goals
Use special education best practices to execute engaging instruction at a level rigorous to all students including but not limited to accommodations, modifications, monitoring of extra time, small group instruction/pull out, etc.
Infuse core values into lessons and every school practice, implementing school-wide student culture systems and positive classroom management strategies
Regularly analyze student work from caseload compared to other students to support in student-specific modifications and accommodations
Support in maintaining accurate student grades/records and strong lines of communication with students and families regularly regarding students’ growth and progress
Provide feedback and support to homeroom/Lead Teacher around curriculum and instructional best practices to support students on caseload
Build strong working relationship with homeroom/Lead Teacher to effectively collaborate on curriculum, instruction and classroom management in support of students
School and Professional Responsibilities
Obtain required MTEL and SEI endorsements with financial support from KIPP MA within the first year of employment in addition to free study support (please review this doc to see requirements). Preferred: Obtain special education licensure as soon as qualified to do so.
Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and during the academic year
Take ownership for the development of your craft and seek feedback from your coach (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with coach, implement feedback, engage in co-planning and active practices, participate in live coaching, etc.)
Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) coverage, bus, lunch, and dismissal duties
Develop strong relationships with families through participating in school events and consistent phone calls home
Be willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to accountability, change, and improvement
Collaborate with grade level and content teams to update and advocate for students on caseload
Write, lead, and manage IEP and 504 paperwork and meetings with students, families, and teachers
Dependable attendance according to our school calendar
General Requirements and 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
Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required
Demonstrated ability to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and make reasonable judgments and decisions in a timely manner in accordance with the needs of the school
Self-awareness, flexibility and emotional intelligence to navigate a setting with students who express diverse needs
The consistent use of interpersonal and self-management skills to effectively support behavioral and emotional needs of students to ensure a safe and inclusive environment, as well as build relationships and manage conflict with students, staff, and caregivers
Effective communication skills to perform assigned duties and to meaningfully exchange information with students, staff, families and others in person, through written communication, in front of groups, and on virtual platforms
Physical mobility to move self in various positions in order to execute duties effectively, which may include kneeling, walking, pushing/pulling, squatting, twisting, turning, bending, stooping and reaching overhead
Physical strength sufficient to periodically lift and/or carry 20 pounds of materials or supplies and to physically restrain a student to keep from harming themself and/or others in an emergency situation
Manual dexterity sufficient to perform repetitive hand/wrist/arm motions and to operate a computer and office equipment
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 staff will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.