[2024-2025] Assistant Department Head (STEM) - High School

Company Description

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of 18 free public charter schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful and rigorous schools in pursuit of a more just world. In 1995, we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in the Bronx, with a vision that every child should grow up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. Today, our network consists of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive program to support our students and alumni in choosing and preparing for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. KIPP NYC currently serves more than 11,000 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000 (11 % of whom are alumni), and continues to grow!

About KIPP NYC College Prep High School:

In August 2009, KIPP NYC College Prep High School (CPHS) opened its doors to serve students graduating from KIPP middle schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Upper Manhattan, as well as other New York City students seeking a rigorous, college-preparatory high school program. KIPP NYC College Prep builds on the key elements of their successful elementary and middle schools, including more time in school, a focus on student achievement, highly qualified and committed faculty, and a school culture that supports success in learning. Located in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx, CPHS currently educates over 1700 students in grades 9-12 across two locations. Over 90% of students enroll in at least one type of rigorous academics, including (16) Advanced Placement (AP), (17) Dual Enrollment, and (13) Honors courses. In addition to a wide range of electives and over 25 clubs, there are 13 varsity and junior varsity sports programs. Last, CPHS provides a comprehensive college and career counseling department to ensure students engage in enriching summer programming, develop individual career plans, are fully prepared for the SAT college entrance exam, and go on to enroll in a college or career opportunity that meets their interests, abilities, and financial needs. Since its founding, 99% of CPHS students have graduated from high school, 91% have matriculated to a 2- or 4-year college, and 49% have received a college degree in 6 or more years.

Job Description

Position Overview

At KIPP NYC College Prep, the Assistant Department Head serves as the assistant to the Department Head. Department Heads establish a clear, shared vision among department members for the role of their team in the intellectual development of each student, and develop the content expertise and planning habits of each department teacher.

Below are listed the responsibilities of the assistant department head. This particular assistant role will be for someone to teach at least 4 periods of classes and will manage approximately 1-2 teachers in the department for the 2024 - 2025 school year. The year will be a year of training to grow in the four areas outlined here:

#1 Drive academic achievement.

• Support in planning and leading department meetings.
• Support PLCs in ensuring vertical alignment in curriculum based on both the NYS Regents curriculum and standards.
• Guide teachers’ analysis of student work, examination of class trends in data, measurement of progress towards big goals, and diagnosis of problems.
• Monitor staff members’ gradebooks to ensure equity and alignment across PLC and that regular grade updates are logged.
• Manage the State Regents Examinations & Midterms and Finals, including: preparing materials for exams, collecting test result forms, organizing Saturday Review/Mock sessions, serving as point person the day of department Regents Exams, serving as point person for grading of Regents, etc.
• Ordering supplies/books/calculators/snacks and maintaining the budget.
• Monitor bulletin boards for your department.
• Help organize and execute Back to School Night, Parent Open Houses, Report Card Nights, and award ceremonies.
  
  

#2: Model excellent teaching.

Give constant feedback to your students. Return major summative assessments (essays, tests, projects) with feedback within one week of submission. Return minor summative assessments (quizzes, graded HW or class work) within 3 days. Give targeted daily feedback to students to support academic growth.

Track student mastery of unit objectives for all students in each class as appropriate for the course.

Build supportive parent relationships by reaching out proactively to report student successes. Call home to students who are earning less <75% regularly until performance improves, logging all calls in Deanslist.

Design and adhere to course scope and sequence.

Adapt summative assessments for students with IEPs. Collaborate with your Special Education teachers regularly.

Update PowerSchool regularly.

Model strong student interactions and build a supportive classroom culture (values, practices, and language).

Ensure classroom and lab spaces are clean and organized.

Revise/maintain school culture practices (e.g. disciplinary systems, Advisory, etc.)

Actively address student behavior in all places in the building. Lead large student group conversations when necessary.

#3: Help Develop Teachers.

• Help with recruiting and hiring new staff as needed.
• Schedule and execute an observation cycle.
• Facilitate regular peer observations.
• Identify the highest leverage skills for individual teachers to work on and track progress toward goals.
• Mentor department members that have been identified with your direct manager. Set up “buddy teachers” for new-to-KIPP teachers within the dept.
  
  

#4: Support School-wide Logistics

• Support in the completion of the 9th grade student placements, based on department’s criteria.
• Update course catalog, including course descriptions and prerequisites when needed.
• Ensure that all classes are covered when teachers are out.
• Attend applicable manager PDs.
• Hall/Lobby duty approximately twice a week.
• Assistant Department Heads and Department Heads are required to work 2 days prior to the entire staff returning.
  
  

Qualifications

• At least two years of full-time classroom teaching experience.
• Demonstrated success in developing academic programs and academic culture.
• An analytical view of student progress towards standards.
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative.
• Extreme flexibility to accommodate multiple priorities and a strong work ethic to accommodate high levels of responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment and a healthy measure of the character traits we value: zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude, and a sense of humor.
• A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture.
• Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of students within our KIPP NYC communities.
  
  

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary $73,702 to $136,704. Assistant Department Heads also receive a stipend of $5,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience relevant to the role, NYS initial or professional certification, and longevity within the KIPP network. KIPP NYC will evaluate a candidate’s years of experience, certification, and longevity at point of hire to determine the step/level a new hire will be placed within our teacher salary scale.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:

• Robust benefits include medical, dental, and vision.
• Generous time off, including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break.
• Up to 12 weeks of 100% parental leave.
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder Care.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives include 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.
  
  

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

This role is based in NYC and will require travel to our schools. If you relocate outside of a commutable distance or out of the state of NY, your employment will be subject to review, which may include separation from KIPP NYC. It is important that you notify HR if you move or have plans to relocate.

KIPP NYC LLC does not offer visa sponsorship or work authorization.

KIPP NYC LLC is an anti-racist organization that believes in the importance of being diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. BIPOC, women, gender expansive, LGBTQIA , veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.