[2025-2026] KIPP Change Academy Lead Kindergarten Teacher

KIPP North Carolina Public Schools; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking educational organization dedicated to transforming the lives of students in North Carolina. As a Lead Teacher, you will play a pivotal role in shaping young minds and fostering a positive learning environment. This position offers the opportunity to work with a committed team that values collaboration and professional growth. You will be responsible for delivering a rigorous curriculum, building relationships with students and families, and continuously improving your teaching practices. If you are passionate about education and making a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Healthcare (medical, vision, dental) at no cost

403b with employer match

Support programs for new teachers

Paid Time Off (5 days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually)

Paid Time off for national holidays

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Commitment to KIPP's mission and belief in student potential.
• Ability to monitor classrooms and lift 50 lbs as needed.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver KIPP NC adopted curriculum effectively.
• Build positive relationships with students and families.
• Collaborate with coaches for professional development.

Skills

Classroom Management

Curriculum Delivery

Data-Driven Instruction

Communication Skills

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Education

North Carolina Teaching License

Job description

• Full-time
• Grade Level: Elementary
• Start Date: Next year opening
• Department: Teacher

Company Description

Organizational Overview

Every School. Every Student. Every Day.

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina is a network of eight tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton, and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of rigorous, research-based curricula, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

At KIPP, we see the gifts in everyone who walks through the doors of our schools, especially our teachers. Their skill, energy, love, and determination on both good days and hard days are invaluable. We support our teachers to make the most of those gifts with respect for their innate talent and desire to learn, for their professional growth, and for the lives they lead beyond our walls. We offer pay and benefits that reflect our appreciation for the invaluable role our teachers play in lighting paths to opportunity for our students. As our teachers progress through the day, the year, and their careers, we ensure they always feel the KIPP Team and Family at their backs, with opportunities to lead and support to grow.

Together, our students, schools, families, and communities share an ambitious mission to create a future without limits. The only way to realize it is with talented teachers like you. Shape the future for your students and yourself by joining KIPP today.

Job Description

Your responsibilities as a Lead Teacher

KIPP North Carolina teachers are at the core of our mission to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character strengths needed to succeed throughout their education and in the competitive world beyond. The following are expectations of KIPP North Carolina acknowledging there are varying levels of expertise:

Expectations of Instruction Preparation & Delivery

1. Review, internalize, and facilitate KIPP NC adopted & scripted curriculum.
2. K - 8 Math: Zearn, focused on problem solving and developing student thinking.
3. K - 5 ELA: Bookworms.
4. Practice lesson delivery to execute curriculum at a high level while following the pacing guide with fidelity.
5. Create exemplar responses and documents for work to hold students accountable.
6. Use assessment data (Interim Assessments, MAP, EOGs, EOCs, summative, formative, etc.) to drive instruction and make lesson adjustments to meet students' needs.
7. Embrace and incorporate feedback in the spirit of pursuing excellence.
8. Maintain accurate gradebook, records, and data tracking systems.

Help Build a Positive School and Classroom Culture

1. Embody and maintain school’s values, policies, and culture.
2. Assume personal responsibility for student achievement.
3. Maintain a clean classroom displaying student work and grade level/content appropriate decorations.
4. Develop positive relationships with students, families, teachers, and staff through regular positive phone calls to families, weekly newsletters about the classroom, and attending all required events, including but not limited to Back-to-School Night, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Athletic Events, occasional weekend community events, and Report Card Conferences.
5. Participate in the daily functions of the school, including but not limited to arrival, advisory/circle time, lunch duty, recess, and dismissal.

Demonstrate a Growth Mindset

1. Collaborate with your coach identifying areas of strength and areas of growth for professional development each year.
2. Receive feedback - sometimes in real time during class, in one-on-ones, regular classroom observations, and school walkthroughs.
3. Attend Practice Clinics to master pedagogical skills and lesson delivery during prep time.
4. Attend school and/or regionally led Professional Development Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:00 pm each week and sometimes as needed for development.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

The following are required of all KIPP North Carolina teachers:

1. A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students.
2. Possess a deep commitment to improving the lives of kids from economically marginalized communities.
3. Valid North Carolina teaching license, ability to seek reciprocity, or willingness to pursue state certification.
4. A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant content area.
5. Pass Criminal Background Check.
6. Demonstrated commitment to closing the opportunity gap.
7. Enthusiasm, grit, professionalism, and a sense of humor.
8. Ability to stand and actively monitor classrooms for 8+ hours each day.
9. Ability to lift 50 lbs or more as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

The following are not required but are advantageous for candidates:

1. At least 2 full years of teaching experience in Kindergarten or 1st Grade.
2. Experience in teaching in a high performing charter school and/or schools with a high population of students with free and reduced lunch.
3. Demonstrated success in raising the achievement levels of economically marginalized students.
4. Passed or will pass the Praxis exams by September 2025.
5. Fluency in Spanish.

Additional Information

Additional Information

Hours are M, Th, & F 7:30 am - 3:30, Tu & W 7:30 am - 5 pm.

Curriculum, materials, and resources are provided.

Each month teachers have Teacher Work Days that include professional development, data analysis, and other important information to push their students’ learning forward.

KIPP Employee Mindsets

All Means All: At KIPP NC, we believe we serve the needs and do whatever it takes for every kid, no matter their needs, abilities, or levels.

See a Need, Fill A Need: We believe that if there's a need at a school, that to be a great team player, we fill that need. A teacher is absent? We cover their class during our prep. A student is crying in the hallway? We comfort them whether or not they're our student.

Openness to Feedback: We believe that the only way for us to improve as professionals is to be open to feedback and add new tools to our toolbox. We stay after to practice teacher moves, annotate lessons, submit our lessons for feedback, happily have admin in our classroom to observe, and never miss a one-on-one with our coach to discuss our practice and learn how we can grow.

Student Centered: At the end of the day, we always do what's best for kids.

We currently offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including:

1. Salaries paid semi-monthly throughout the year.
2. Healthcare (medical, vision, and dental) at no cost to individuals and deep discounts for dependents.
3. Enrollment in an optional 403b with employer match up to 6% of wages.
4. Support programs for new teachers.
5. Assigned coaching and weekly/biweekly development meetings for all teachers.
6. Regular content and grade-level specific PDs.
7. Teaching Licensure Support.
8. Generous time off:
9. Paid Time Off (5 days PTO & 6 days sick leave annually).
10. Paid Time off for all major national holidays (including Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and approximately 5 weeks off during the Summer).

KIPP North Carolina is also committed to building the pipeline of the state’s most talented and effective teachers and leaders through competitive compensation, integrated professional development led by coaches and mentors, and resources they need to succeed, all rooted in core values that articulate our collectively designed organizational beliefs: