Middle School: Multi-Language Learner (MLL) Lead Teacher – Greater Boston (2024-2025)

Company Description

Our Mission

The mission of all of KIPP Massachusetts schools is to create an environment where students develop the academic skills, intellectual habits and character traits necessary to maximize their potential in high school, college and the world beyond. Our program is based on:

• A focus on high-quality instruction supported by rigorous professional development to ensure that our students develop the academic skills necessary to pursue the life they choose.
• A high regard for character development to ensure that our students and staff celebrate and develop their character and identity strengths.
• An emphasis on family engagement, because we believe that our students are most likely to be able to maximize their potential when we work in partnership with our students and their families.
• A focus on college readiness for all students so that all students can make choices about their post-secondary education and future.

What We Do

We seek to provide a world-class education for students from educationally underserved communities in Lynn and Boston. Our student demographics mirror those of neighborhood schools in terms of race, socioeconomic status, English Language Learners, and students who receive special education services.

Our promise to families is that their children will enter college and the professional world able to thrive academically due to their literacy, numeracy, and core knowledge in science and social studies. We also promise that our students will develop the zest for learning and grit necessary to persevere as they climb the mountain to and through college and career. Our graduates will be prepared to return to their community as teachers, leaders, and architects of continued growth in Lynn and Boston.

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity Vision

At KIPP Massachusetts, we believe that Knowledge is Power. Every day, our team and family have the opportunity to either perpetuate systems of oppression or disrupt them. We are compelled by the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusivity. Therefore, we continuously commit to operating as an anti-racist organization. Read more at Diversity Equity Inclusivity Vision.

Who We Are

KIPP Massachusetts began enrolling students in 2004. We currently hold two charters, operating two “districts.” Our first district, KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School, is based in Lynn, MA. Our second district, KIPP Academy Boston Charter School, is based in Mattapan, MA. Each district is housed on one or more “campuses,” which we use to refer to different grade spans, for example, elementary grades, middle school grades, or high school grades.

In Lynn, KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary (serving grades K-4), KIPP Academy Lynn Middle (serving grades 5-8), and KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate (serving grades 9-12), are all under our Lynn charter. Admission to any grade in the Lynn district is admission to all remaining grades in the Lynn district K-12. 66% of our students in Lynn are Hispanic, 23% are African American and 11% are other races/ethnicities.

In Boston, KIPP Academy Boston Elementary (serving grades K-4), and KIPP Academy Boston (serving grades 5-8), are both under our Boston charter. Admission to any grade in the Boston district is admission to all remaining grades in the Boston district, K-8. 68% of our students in Boston are African American, 30% are Hispanic and 2% are other races/ethnicities.

Across both districts, in school year 2020-21 KIPP Massachusetts will serve over 2,100 students.

KIPP National

KIPP Massachusetts partners with the KIPP Foundation, or KIPP National, which is a non-profit national network of college-preparatory public charter schools serving elementary, middle and high school students. KIPP National has a 25-year track record of preparing our students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life.

There are 242 KIPP schools in 20 states plus the District of Columbia educating over 100,000 students on their path to and through college and career. We believe that excellent academic, safe and structured schools, empowered teachers, an emphasis on character development and support through college are the foundation for student success, and we strive to provide this for every student.

All KIPP schools, whether they are in Massachusetts or in other states, are part of the free public school system in their respective states and enrollment is open to all students. KIPP public charter schools are given more academic and budgetary flexibility than traditional public schools, and in exchange commit to deliver high-quality academic results for students.

Job Description

Multilingual Learner (MLL) Lead Teacher

KIPP MA is looking for talented, committed, and culturally competent MLL lead teachers who have the power to amplify our children’s potential by creating a school experience that affirms, values, and challenges students each day. We seek to create a professional and authentic environment of joy, excellence, care, and community where educators can make long-term transformative outcomes for students.

Please note that in compliance with DESE licensure policies, candidates must obtain their ESL licensure prior to starting with students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Responsibilities

• Ensure that all children feel affirmed, valued, and challenged every day
• Create and foster a positive and safe learning environment
• Meet regularly with co-teachers to review student data and plan appropriate language supports
• Create language goals and objectives and plan lessons that move students toward meeting these goals
• Plan and teach small group language-focused lessons
• Consider students’ language, cultural, and background needs in lesson planning, execution, and classroom culture
• Co-create and internalize academically aligned lesson plans, unit plans, rubrics, and assessments
• Set specific, ambitious growth goals for all students and identify and leverage all necessary resources to ensure they meet them
• Infuse core values into daily lessons and every school practice, implementing school-wide student culture systems and positive classroom management strategies
• Maintain accurate student grades/records and strong lines of communication with students and families regularly regarding students’ growth and progress

Compliance Responsibilities

• Plan and administer ACCESS testing for MLL students and maintain accurate documentation for testing accommodations, at times collaborating with the Special Education teams
• Provide consultation to SEI teachers and teachers who work with EMLs (Exited MLLs)
• Administer TELL assessment 4x/year (quarterly)
• Complete quarterly progress reports for current MLL students
• Collaborate with families and teachers to write Student Success Plans for MLL students who don’t meet ACCESS benchmarks and track student progress toward goals

School and Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in school-wide and individual professional development, including pre-service training over the summer and weekly during the academic year
• Engage in internal and external professional development opportunities facilitated by the MLL Team
• Take ownership for the development of your craft and seek feedback from your coach (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with coach, implement feedback, engage in co-planning and active practices, participate in live coaching, etc.)
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) coverage, bus, lunch, and dismissal duties
• Develop strong relationships with families through participating in school events, the MLL Family Council, and consistent phone calls home
• Assist with planning and attend MLL Family Council meetings
• Be willing to offer support and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to accountability, change, and improvement
• Collaborate with grade level and content teams to tackle common challenges and implement grade-wide systems, sharing responsibility for all students
• Participate in IEP meetings for dual classified students (complete MLL teacher input from pre-meeting; recommend and record ACCESS testing accommodations; share progress toward language goals; and give insight into how language may impact or be impacted by the student’s disability)
• Dependable attendance according to our school calendar
• Lead conversations with colleagues about ACCESS/MLL assessment data and collaborate to implement appropriate language supports for all students

Regional Responsibilities

• Embody KIPP MA’s Code of Conduct by acting with integrity, leading with humanity, centering self-awareness and critical consciousness, taking personal responsibility, and engaging productively
• Obtain required MA ESL Teaching License and pass ESL MTEL prior to starting with students
• Participate and engage in regional professional development and community events as required

KIPP MA teachers are supported in their demanding work by experienced and dedicated leadership and staff who have themselves proven successful in the teaching role. Our leaders maintain consistent school-wide systems and procedures – academic, behavioral, cultural, logistical – designed to permit teachers to do their best work. 

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, there will occasionally be other duties as assigned that teachers will engage in to help promote a positive and safe learning environment and culture.

Qualifications

• Love and have an unwavering belief in the high potential of all students
• Commitment to anti-racism and equity
• Demonstrated ability to drive student growth and achievement and to create a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment
• Passion for subject/content area and demonstrated commitment to professional learning
• 2+ years of full-time teaching experience
• Bachelor’s Degree required
• KIPP MA requires that all staff be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine (or approved by KIPP MA for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a medical reason or sincerely held religious belief).
• Pass Criminal Background Checks
• Passing score ESL MTEL required
• MA ESL Teaching Licensure Required

KIPP MA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in the importance of being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization that enables all of our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building an exceptional team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. We also strive to ensure an inclusive community by creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students. We hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Additional Information

What We Offer

The starting base salary for this exempt position is $55,000 (per 1.0 FTE/45 hours per week), depending on years of experience after your Bachelors degree (+$3,000 for 1st advanced degree and +$1,500 for 2nd advanced degree) with a $1,000 signing bonus—and retention and longevity bonuses in subsequent years. For more about what we offer, how to apply and more about KIPP MA, please visit this link HERE.

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