Job Description

About KIPP New Jersey 

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, 80 fifth graders walked through the doors of our first middle school in Newark, New Jersey and KIPP New Jersey has since grown to educate 8,135 students in grades K-12 across 17 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. 

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will provide a world-class education to over 10,300 students across fifteen schools in Newark and five in Camden. To learn more, visit .

Job Description

Here’s what you need to know:

The Director of Special Education drives academic results by improving teacher and leader capacity to implement special education supports in our academic programs.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

Coach and develop School Leaders and Assistant Principals in developing content knowledge and instructional leadership capacity in Special Education inclusion and resource programming for the designated grade band of service.

• Engage in coaching & strategy sessions with Assistant Principals to support with curriculum internalization, data analysis, response to data analysis, planning teacher coaching experiences, etc.
• Co-plan, observe/feedback, model coaching and professional development experiences for APs as needed. 
• Collaborate with School Leaders on the development of their Assistant Principals, and on driving initiatives that will improve academic outcomes for kids in our secondary schools. 

Lead all functional area in special education through the management, coaching, development, and progress monitoring of leads in that functional area.

• MLL (multi-lingual learners), SLP (speech language pathology), SWk (social work), and/or Evaluators/Related Service Providers.
• Engage in progress monitoring against key metrics in each functional area, and support with problem-solving in this area as needed. 
• Co-plan, observe/feedback, model coaching and professional development experiences for functional leads as needed. 

Lead professional development for teachers and leaders, aligned to the KIPP academic program, standards, curriculum, and assessments. 

• Engage in coaching & strategy sessions with Assistant Principals of Special Education to support with curriculum internalization, data analysis, response to data analysis, planning teacher coaching experiences, etc.
• Co-plan, observe/feedback, model coaching and professional development experiences for APs as needed.

Adapt and/or create curriculum and assessments to meet the demands of local context. 

• Develop a vision and curricular model for replacement ELA and math instruction at KIPP TEAM & Family for the designated grade bands of service 
• Determine the appropriate supports in Science and Social Studies curricula for the designated grade bands of service 
• Preview and review KIPP NJi ELA & math curricula and make modifications based on local context and requirements, as well as the data-based needs of students in each region, for the designated grade bands of service
• Create curricular science and social studies supports as needed, with support and guidance from T&L team.

Collaborate with the network T&L TEAM, Regional Special Education TEAMs, Room 9/10/11 on network and region-wide initiatives. 

• Engage in weekly TEAM meetings and other events. 
• Engage in other related projects as needed, e.g. school walk-throughs, network-wide professional development sessions, etc. 

Qualifications

• At least 4 years experience in an instructional leadership capacity

• Experience with a constructivist instructional model 

• Strong coaching skills

• Exceptional content knowledge in Special Education, advanced degree in special education preferred

• Ability to build relationships, impact & influence, and motivate action 

• A deep belief in KIPP's mission and vision, with a commitment to championing our children, families, communities, and programming.

• A strong advocate for racial justice, equity, and inclusion.

• Exceptional relationship-building skills and a passion for engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Comfortable using data to drive priorities and effectively communicate KIPP New Jersey’s story.

• Second to none interpersonal communication skills (written and oral) to get to the heart of the matter and move work forward

• Strength in strategic planning, driving outcomes, and follow-through

• A relentless focus on solutions and results.

• Ability to remain organized and thrive in a role with competing priorities and ambiguity.

• Collaborative approach to recruiting and relationship building.

• Strong consensus-building skills and an engaged, active listener.

• Ability to communicate KIPP’s vision, mission and results with an external audience

• Comfort with collaboration and coordination of relationships with decision makers and influencers of organizations

Additional Information

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ offers a full comprehensive benefits plan, including health care, retirement, a school laptop, and transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into New Jersey from the New York City area. 

Job Tags

Similar Jobs