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5th - 8th Grade Teachers, All Subject Areas

THEIR MISSION

To equip students with the knowledge, skills, and character traits required to succeed in top-quality high schools, universities, and the competitive world beyond.

BACKGROUND

KIPP Ascend Charter School is an open-enrollment, tuition-free, public charter school located on Chicago’s West Side. KIPP Ascend educates 320 students in grades 5-8, primarily from the neighborhoods of Austin, West Garfield, and North Lawndale.  Students and their parents choose to attend KIPP from 7:25 AM to 5:00 PM during the week, for four hours on Saturdays, and for one month during the summer in preparation for outstanding high schools and colleges.  89% of the students are low income and 100% are African American or Hispanic. 

Most students enter KIPP Ascend in the 5th grade performing 2 to 3 grade levels behind in core academics. By working hard with top teachers, they are able to outperform district and state test averages by the end of 8th grade. 

Their first graduating class joined eight other CPS schools as ranking first out of 463 elementary schools on math portion of the 2007 ISAT. This class’ ISAT Composite score ranked ahead of 28 of CPS' 36 selective magnet schools.  KIPP Ascend is not selective.  This same graduating class of 51 students accepted over $1.1 million in scholarships to high schools.

KIPP Ascend is one of 57 KIPP (www.kipp.org) schools nationwide.  KIPP schools have received national acclaim for closing the achievement gap for traditionally underserved students. 

FACULTY JOB DESCRIPTION

KIPP Ascend teachers change the lives of their students.  They work long hours with kids who were previously educationally underserved.  They look for teachers who:

• Are excellent classroom managers
• Enjoy working with kids
• Are passionate about helping students who are multiple grades behind and mostly low-income get on the path to college
• Have an incredibly strong work ethic and have a history of going above and beyond for kids
• Are passionate about their subject area

The responsibilities for KIPP Ascend Charter School faculty include, although not be limited to, the following:

• Teach standards-based, college preparatory curriculum in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and/or Social Studies
• Use student achievement data to improve student academic performance and behavior tremendously
• Provide quality, well-planned instruction that engages students
• Seek to constantly refine instructional techniques
• Field phone calls at night (during agreed upon hours) from students who need help with homework
• Submit weekly lesson plans to the Principal and Deans
• Build quality relationships with students, before, during, and after school
• Proactively manage student behavior with consistent school-wide system
• Direct an advisory
• Maintain consistent communication with students’ families
• Collaborate with other educators on Grade Level Team and Department Team
• Participate actively in faculty and staff meetings
• Meet monthly with Principal and/or Deans to discuss student progress and programmatic feedback
• Help their school make home visits to all students during the year
• Perform morning, lunch, or afternoon duties as assigned
• Plan and travel with students on field lessons, both local and out-of-state
• Come to school one Saturday every two months from 8:30am to 1:15pm to help supervise students
• Contribute to administrative tasks as necessary. “Do whatever it takes.” Fulfill all necessary administrative duties in a timely manner

QUALIFICATIONS

An ideal candidate for a KIPP Ascend faculty position will possess:

• Demonstrated success working with low-income students
• An analytical view of student progress towards standards.
• A strong background in and command of his/her content area.
• IL State certification and/or 5 yrs. experience in the subject area you are teaching.

Residency in the city of Chicago is not required. 

COMPENSATION

Teachers receive a competitive salary and benefits package that includes health/dental/disability/life insurance. Teachers also have the opportunity to teach classes during their Saturday School Enrichment Program every Saturday or every other Saturday. Saturday School instructors earn an additional stipend.. 

SELECTION PROCESS

To apply, submit a resumé and cover letter to work@kippascend.org.  For more information, please visit www.kippascend.org.

Statement of Non-Discrimination: KIPP Ascend Charter School is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying for employment. KIPP Ascend does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic background.