[2026-2027] Middle School Art Teacher

KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools • Philadelphia, PA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools (KPPS) is seeking a Middle School Art Teacher for the [2026-2027] school year. KPPS is part of the national KIPP Public Schools network, dedicated to preparing students with the skills and confidence to create their futures. KPPS currently serves 3,400 students in North and West Philadelphia and plans to expand to approximately 4,000 students by 2030. The mission of KPPS is to create joyful, academically excellent schools with families and communities, preparing students for college, career, and beyond to lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Life at KPPS emphasizes a professional community grounded in joy, candor, care, and connection, where educators can be authentic, grow in their craft, and contribute to meaningful work. The organization is committed to anti-racism and equity, fostering a joyful and inclusive community, offering competitive and equitable compensation with performance-based bonuses, providing professional growth and leadership pathways, encouraging authenticity and belonging, focusing on people-centered excellence, and offering comprehensive well-being support.

Requirements

• 2+ years of full-time Art teaching experience (outside of substitute teaching) in an urban setting strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 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).
• 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

• Experience driving student growth and achievement.
• Experience creating a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment.
• Passion for facilitating professional learning, including a desire to continuously grow and learn as a leader.
• Operate with cultural competence and a commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and the eradication of anti-Blackness.
• Belief that teachers are the primary drivers of student growth, learning and achievement.
• High expectations for students and teachers; and the ability to motivate, inspire and hold others accountable.
• Solution-orientated and have an eagerness to adapt in order to solve problems.
• Strong classroom management skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all children feel affirmed, valued and challenged every day.
• Create rigorous, engaging unit and daily lesson plans leveraging provided curricula/resources.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Additional responsibilities may arise during the school year.

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: Mid Level