25-26 Middle School Gifted and Talented Teacher: Newark bei KIPP

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, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate 7,035 students in grades K-12 across 15 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

Here's what you need to know:

The Gifted & Talented Teacher will directly foster student interest and willingness to participate in challenging learning opportunities in addition to building and supporting teacher understanding of giftedness across the district while facilitating the creation of systematic and sustainable high-quality collaboration that is focused on high ability learners, student engagement, and personalized learning.  This role is responsible for, including but not limited to, direct instruction of GT identified students that focuses on independent research, problem/project-based learning, and SEL; supporting the GT identification process; supporting teachers in meeting the needs of gifted learners in the regular classroom; planning and managing extracurricular enrichment opportunities and events; and providing support to families in meeting the educational needs of their gifted learners. 

Direct Instruction

• In collaboration with the Director of Gifted and Talented, plan and implement units of instruction for identified gifted & talented (GT) students.
• In collaboration with the Director of Gifted and Talented, plan and implement talent development activities in the general education classroom.
• Monitor student data and assist students in setting & achieving learning goals.
• Implement gifted education strategies such as problem/project based learning and self-directed learning.
• Evaluate student performance in the GT setting.
• Support students with SEL opportunities and metacognition as they engage in rigorous academic tasks.
• Coordinate with school and regional staff to plan and implement an end of year celebration of learning.
• Coordinate student participation in academic contests and extra-curricular activities. 

Identification

• Collaborate with school leaders and teachers to schedule and conduct annual gifted assessments.
• Collect, organize, and analyze data in preparation for gifted identification.
• Lead campus level identification committees in eligibility discussions and decisions. 
• Create and maintain student records as they relate to gifted assessment and identification.

Teacher & School Support

• Collaborate with teachers and school leadership to schedule pull-out GT services.
• Collaborate with teachers and school leadership to plan and conduct whole class and small group enrichment activities.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers to provide differentiated instruction for identified gifted students.
• Maintain close communication with classroom teachers to ensure that identified gifted students academic and social emotional needs are met.
• Support teachers and administrators in building their understanding of and planning for high-ability learners, to include assisting with campus-based PD when needed.
• Use data to advocate for differentiation on behalf of identified gifted students.

Family & Community Support

• Plan and implement family engagement activities and events for the families of identified gifted students.
• Communicate student progress in the GT setting.
• In collaboration with the Director of Gifted and Talented, communicate GT assessment results and eligibility determinations to families.
• In collaboration with the Director of Gifted and Talented, assist families in understanding GT assessment results.
• Serve as a connection between the GT classroom and the community.

Special Projects

• Complete special projects as requested and support the overall implementation of gifted services region wide.
• Provide support to the Gifted & Talented Director in the planning and implementation of GT sponsored events and activities, both during and outside of regular class instruction hours.
• Ensure compliance with regional GT policies and procedures.
• Participate in school, departmental, and parent meetings. 

• As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge

• Understand the nature and needs of gifted students – both academic and social emotional.
• Understand pedagogy for teaching gifted/talented students.
• Understand best practices in identifying gifted students.
• Knowledge of NJ State Regulations as they apply to gifted/talented students.
• Familiarity with NJSLS.
• Willingness to attend ongoing training focused on meeting the needs of gifted learners.

Skills

• Designing and facilitating student-centered learning experiences.
• Designing and facilitating cross-curricular, problem/project based curriculum.
• Assessing student projects using a rubric.
• Designing and supporting differentiated instruction for high-ability learners.
• Integrating and coaching students on the use of instructional technology and 21st Century Skills.
• Coordinating student learning experiences beyond the classroom (i.e., guest speakers, field trips, facilitating contest participation, presentation opportunities, etc.).

Abilities

• Ability to identify and pursue  key resources to leverage them in promoting and implementing services.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities and multiple assignments at once.
• Ability to travel to and between school locations.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate clearly, accurately, efficiently and with an understanding of how communication style affects the potential success of collaboration.
• Ability to advocate for gifted learners when necessary.

Must Haves:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:

• Travel to various school locations
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job
• Appropriate state teaching certification completed and issued or in process of being completed
• At least 4 years teaching experience.
• Experience collaborating with school leaders preferred
• Experience coordinating or  leading school wide initiatives preferred
• Experience working with high-ability and gifted learners preferred, but not required.
• Documented professional development in meeting the needs of advanced learners preferred.

Certification Requirements

In order to be eligible for hire, all general education teaching candidates must meet the following criteria (details below):

• Hold a valid teaching certification in NJ –or–
• Meet The GPA Requirement

GPA Requirement

• If you graduated after September 2016:
  • Have a bachelor’s or master’s GPA on a conferred degree that is ≥ 3.0 –or– 
  • Have a bachelor’s or master’s GPA on a conferred degree that is between 2.75 and 3.0 AND demonstrate that you have passed all required Praxis exams with a +10% passing score (super scores)
• If you graduated before September 2016:
  • Have a bachelor’s or master’s GPA on a conferred degree that is ≥ 2.75 

Compensation & Benefits

KIPP NJ offers competitive salaries to newly hired lead teachers. Salaries are based on prior experience and in accordance with certification requirements. KIPP NJ offers a competitive salary range of $65,000-$103,000+ for teacher positions with additional opportunities for earning up to $7,000 annually in performance-based pay.

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ  offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:  

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision 
• Participation in the New Jersey Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund, provided appropriate teacher certification
• Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
• A school-issued laptop
• Transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into Newark from the New York City area
• Generous Time-Off including 3.5-4 school vacation weeks (depending on the year), allocated sick and personal days, and an extended summer break 
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
• Employer paid life insurance
• Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.