[2026-2027] Elementary SPED Lead Teacher

KIPP • Philadelphia, PA

1d • $56,650 - $88,500 • Onsite

About The Position

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools preparing students with the skills and confidence needed to create the futures they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools (KPPS) is part of the national KIPP Public Schools network and currently leads eight schools serving 3,400 students in North and West Philadelphia. By 2030, KPPS will be serving approximately 4,000 students. KPPS Mission: Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Life at KPPS: At KPPS, we believe that talented, committed, and culturally competent educators and staff are the foundation of our students' success. We work to create a professional community grounded in joy, candor, care, and connection – where every team member can bring their authentic self, grow in their craft, and contribute to meaningful work. This role involves ensuring all children feel affirmed, valued and challenged, creating rigorous and engaging lesson plans, infusing core values into daily lessons, maintaining a productive learning environment, analyzing student work and data, providing accommodations, maintaining records and communication with families, and serving as a role model. Special education responsibilities include developing and evaluating special education programs, maintaining IEPs, 504s, Evaluations, and ELL programs, leading Child Find efforts, liaising with parents, and providing case management and instruction for students receiving special education supports. Professional responsibilities include taking ownership of craft development, engaging in professional development, collaborating with grade teams, sharing feedback, embodying core values, and enrolling in/completing a teacher certification program if applicable. School responsibilities include attending school functions, contributing to school-wide events, developing relationships with families, performing support duties, and chaperoning field trips. Additional responsibilities may arise during the school year.

Requirements

• 2+ years of SPED full-time teaching experience (outside of substitute teaching) in an urban setting strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks prior to start date: PA State Police Clearance, PA Child Abuse Clearance, Cogent Federal Fingerprinting

Nice To Haves

• Pennsylvania State certification Level I or II strongly preferred.
• If uncertified, must enroll in a PA-approved certification program within one year of hire.
• submit transcripts upon hire (required for emergency permit application)

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all children feel affirmed, valued and challenged every day
• Create rigorous, engaging unit and daily lesson plans leveraging provided curricula/resources (in most cases)
• Infuse core values into daily lessons and every school practice, implementing school-wide student culture systems and positive classroom management strategies
• Maintain a productive, organized, safe, neat and focused learning environment
• Regularly analyze student work and academic data to adjust lessons, refine curricula and inform instructional practices
• Provide necessary accommodations and modifications for growth and success of all students
• Maintain accurate student grades/records and strong lines of communication with families regarding students’ growth and progress
• Model and implement all school policies within the classroom
• Serve as a role model for students
• Develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and other student supports (Intervention, 504, ELL, etc.)
• Maintain IEPs, 504s, Evaluations, and ELL programs; ensure services are delivered with fidelity.
• Lead Child Find efforts and drive intervention and evaluation processes
• Liaison with parents via trainings, meetings, and consultations
• Provide case management for Special Education caseload and provide instruction to students receiving special education supports
• Take ownership for the development of your craft (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with an instructional coach, implement feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)
• Actively engage in all school-wide professional development
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement grade-wide initiatives
• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and school leadership on a regular basis
• Embody KPPS core values: Children First, Cultural Competence, Ownership, Community
• Enroll in/complete a teacher certification program (if applicable)
• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
• Contribute to the planning and execution of all school-wide events
• Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events and phone calls home
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties
• Chaperone field lessons/field trips

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits package (including vision and dental, a telehealth option, and flexible spending accounts) for themselves and their families
• 403B matching program for retirement savings
• Free access to financial advising services
• $5,000 in tuition reimbursement to pursue certification at a Pennsylvania-approved certification program (for uncertified teachers)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level