Middle School Teacher (5th-8th Grades)

Job description

At KIPP New Orleans, we see the gifts in everyone who walks through the doors of our schools. Especially our teachers. Their skill. Energy. Love. Their determination. On the good days, and the hard ones. So we support our teachers to make the most of those gifts in order to build academically excellent classrooms and create unlimited opportunities for all of our students. The KIPP Difference | Together, a Future Without Limits Respect: For our teachers’ innate talent and desire to learn, for their professional growth and the lives they lead beyond our walls. Support: Our teachers always feel the KIPP Team and Family at their backs, with support to grow and opportunities to lead. Purpose: Together, we share an ambitious mission to create a future without limits. And we need talented teachers to realize it. The responsibilities and essential functions of the role include: Achievement | Teaching & Learning Deliver rigorous, standards-aligned instruction using HQIM; communicate daily objectives and success criteria; check for understanding throughout (cold call, turn & talk, exit tickets). Plan/adapt units and lessons that build conceptual understanding and fluency; script questions, models, exemplars, and anticipated misconceptions; align tasks and rubrics to the depth of standards. Use data to drive instruction: analyze daily work, interims, and state assessments; reteach, spiral, and extend; maintain small data trackers that inform tomorrow’s plan. Differentiate and scaffold using diverse strategies (choice, visuals, language objectives, sentence frames); provide accommodations/modifications with fidelity for students with IEP/504 plans; coordinate with DSS/ESL staff. Structure purposeful practice—independent work, small groups, centers, and peer discourse—that requires evidence, academic language, and grade-level thinking. Provide timely, actionable feedback (written and verbal) tied to rubrics; maintain accurate, transparent grades and make-up work systems. Assessment literacy: design/implement common assessments; ensure item alignment and reliability; use exemplars/anchors for calibration. Hope | Positive Classroom Culture Establish safe, joyful routines (entry, materials, transitions, group work) that maximize time-on-task and protect learning time bell-to-bell. Affirm high expectations and growth mindset; select culturally sustaining texts, problems, and examples that reflect students’ identities and experiences. Apply school-wide behavior systems consistently and restoratively; use pre-corrections, de-escalation, and restorative conversations; log incidents per policy. Integrate SEL (explicit skills, mood checks, goal setting) to build belonging, resilience, and self-management; proactively teach replacement behaviors. Community | School Culture & Partnerships Model school values and professionalism; meet deadlines; uphold duty coverage (arrival, transitions, lunch/recess, dismissal, testing). Build strong relationships with students and families via frequent, strengths-based communication; co-create goals and action plans. Communicate progress (grades, attendance, behavior, reading levels) through scheduled updates and family conferences with translators/interpretation as needed. Participate in key events—back-to-school nights, IEP/504 and EL meetings, data nights, testing, and community celebrations; support recruitment and retention activities. Relentlessness | Growth Mindset Set ambitious goals for student mastery and classroom culture; track progress and publicly celebrate growth. Welcome coaching (observations, practice-based rehearsal) and implement feedback by the next lesson/cycle; reflect on impact using student work. Engage in PD and PLCs; contribute artifacts (plans, assessments, student work) that show PD-to-practice transfer. Collaborate to design/refine common assessments and lead/participate in data meetings that produce concrete reteach plans. Elevation | Belongingness Plan and teach for access and rigor for every learner (multilingual learners, students with disabilities, advanced learners, newcomers/SLIFE). Examine outcomes and discipline data to reduce disproportionality; adjust instruction, grading, and routines accordingly. Create structures for student and family voice (surveys, feedback circles, classroom leadership roles) and act on insights. Uphold equitable grading and policies (clear rubrics, opportunities to revise/retake, transparency on late/missing work); ensure materials and displays reflect all students. Professional & Operational Expectations Attendance & punctuality: meet school standards; submit PTO/leave per policy; maintain reliable coverage plans. Compliance & testing: follow IEP/504 requirements; secure test materials; deliver accommodations; complete documentation accurately and on time. Planning & grading systems: submit lesson plans, assessments, and grades by network deadlines; keep current make-up/retake logs. Technology & data privacy: use approved platforms (SIS/LMS, gradebook, communication tools); safeguard student data (FERPA); maintain device/inventory accountability. Safety & reporting: follow health/safety procedures; complete mandatory reporting; participate in crisis drills and supervision routines. In support of KIPP New Orleans Schools' commitment to providing a safe and orderly learning environment, all school-based employees are expected to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation: Maintain active supervision of students in classrooms, hallways, common areas, and other school settings as assigned to ensure student safety and well-being. Be physically present and engaged in assigned work locations during the scheduled workday to fulfill responsibilities requiring in-person interaction with students, families, and colleagues. Respond appropriately to school emergencies and actively participate in emergency response procedures, including but not limited to evacuations, lockdowns, shelter-in-place, reunification, and other crisis protocols. Support student and staff safety by implementing established behavioral expectations and utilizing de-escalation strategies when appropriate, consistent with district policies and training. Maintain situational awareness and communicate promptly with school leadership and emergency personnel during safety incidents. Participate in required safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis response training. The following are required of all KIPP New Orleans teachers: Bachelor’s degree Personal affinity to our mission and vision , as well as demonstrated commitment to our 5 core beliefs - Relentlessness, Elevation, Achievement, Community, and Hope Offers are contingent upon successful completion of a professional reference check, proof of identity and work authorization (all KNOS employees must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form), a state background check, and verification of teaching experience The following are strongly preferred for all KIPP New Orleans teachers: At least two years of teaching experience in urban, open enrollment schools Demonstrated success raising student achievement outcomes State issued teaching credential Work Environment and Physical Demands The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. All of these physical requirements should be able to be performed with clarity, coherence and connectedness of the KNOS vision, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, including noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds, to more moderate situations such as classrooms or large group professional settings. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, and one needs to be able to read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) and maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time. Ability to meet the physical demands of classroom teaching (standing, circulating, occasional lifting/moving of classroom materials); Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time. Employees must be able to move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other instructional or student activity spaces, and may be required to stand, walk, or respond quickly during routine supervision or emergency situations. Ability to safely lift and move up to 30 lbs independently Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using employee's personal transportation. This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Work Authorization Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer. Commitments Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors. Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders. Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals. Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, and we routinely engage in compensation analysis for all roles across the organization to ensure that we remain competitive in the market. 403(b) retirement plan – KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately in 403(b). KNOS employees are eligible for health and wellbeing benefits starting the first day of the month following their Date of Hire. Comprehensive, customizable health coverage, including disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees. KNOS employees are provided ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off. Opportunities for on-going professional development. Disclaimer: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This job description shall not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between KNOS and any of its employees. KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At KIPP New Orleans Schools, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of KNOS employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the KNOS has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Contact Us: Please contact our regional Talent Team at with any questions. KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is a non-profit network of 13 college/career-preparatory, public charter schools serving approximately 5,000 elementary, middle, and high school students, and over 2,000 alumni. While each of our schools is as unique as the community to which it belongs, we are united around a shared promise: To build academically excellent schools that create unlimited opportunity for all students. For 20 years, we have a proven track record of preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond. At KIPP, you have the freedom to innovate and the support to grow. You never stop learning, and you’re part of a national network that’s leading the way in getting students from underserved communities to and through college, and beyond. As the largest charter school management organization in New Orleans, we serve nearly 15% of the city’s students, so we need passionate teammates to join us to make their impact at KIPP. Where will YOU take us? Click here to learn more about teaching and working at KIPP!