[2026-2027] Elementary SPED Teacher

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 57,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition reimbursement

403B retirement match

Job summary

KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools is seeking a SPED teacher to join a diverse urban middle/high school network. You will design inclusive lessons, monitor progress, and collaborate with families to support student growth.

Certification in PA is required or in progress, with strong emphasis on anti-racism and equitable practices. This full-time role offers comprehensive health benefits, tuition reimbursement for uncertified staff pursuing certification, and competitive teacher salaries aligned

Qualifications

• 2+ years of SPED full-time teaching experience in an urban setting.
• PA State certification Level I or II preferred; if uncertified, enroll in PA-approved program within 1 year.
• Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks prior to start date.

Responsibilities

• Classroom: affirm and support all students, plan rigorous units, apply core values, ensure a safe learning environment.
• Special Education: develop and monitor IEPs/504s, coordinate interventions, engage families.
• Professional: pursue instructional coaching, participate in PD, collaborate with grade teams.
• School: attend events, build family relationships, support school-wide initiatives, assist with duties as needed.

Skills

SPED experience

Urban teaching

Lesson planning

Data analysis

Education

PA Level I/II certification

Job description

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools preparing students with the skills and confidence needed to create the futures they want for themselves, their communities, and us all.We are a network of 279 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and 210,000 students and alumni. KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools (KPPS) is part of the national KIPP Public Schools network and currently leads eight schools serving 3,400 students in North and West Philadelphia. By 2030, KPPS will be serving approximately 4,000 students.

KPPS Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Life at KPPS

At KPPS, we believe that talented, committed, and culturally competent educators and staff are the foundation of our students' success. We work to create a professional community grounded in joy, candor, care, and connection – where every team member can bring their authentic self, grow in their craft, and contribute to meaningful work. Here is what you can expect:

• Commitment to Anti-Racism & Equity: Join a team dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and creating inclusive, culturally responsive schools where all students and staff can thrive.
• Joyful, Inclusive Community: Work in a collaborative, identity-affirming environment that values relationships, celebrates individuality, and supports the well-being of adults and children alike.
• Competitive & Equitable Compensation: Benefit from transparent compensation structures, including performance-based bonuses that recognize meaningful contributions.
• Professional Growth & Leadership Pathways: Access high-quality development – including coaching, workshops, and tailored leadership opportunities – designed to support your long-term career trajectory.
• Authenticity & Belonging: Be part of a culture that encourages you toshow up as your full self and contribute to a community rooted in trust and respect.
• People-Centered Excellence: Join colleagues who believe strong relationships and thoughtful preparation drive excellent outcomes—for students and for staff.
• Comprehensive Well-Being Support: Receive whole-person support through coaching, mental health resources, wellness initiatives, and team-building experiences that prioritize your professional and personal growth.

Job Description

Classroom Responsibilities

• Ensure that all children feel affirmed, valued and challenged every day
• Create rigorous, engaging unit and daily lesson plans leveraging provided curricula/resources (in most cases)
• Infuse core values into daily lessons and every school practice, implementing school-wide student culture systems and positive classroom management strategies
• Maintain a productive, organized, safe, neat and focused learning environment
• Regularly analyze student work and academic data to adjust lessons, refine curricula and inform instructional practices
• Provide necessary accommodations and modifications for growth and success of all students
• Maintain accurate student grades/records and strong lines of communication with families regarding students’ growth and progress
• Model and implement all school policies within the classroom
• Serve as a role model for students

Special Education Responsibilities

• Develop, monitor, and evaluate the effectiveness of special education programs and other student supports (Intervention, 504, ELL, etc.)
• Maintain IEPs, 504s, Evaluations, and ELL programs; ensure services are delivered with fidelity.
• Lead Child Find efforts and drive intervention and evaluation processes
• Liaison with parents via trainings, meetings, and consultations
• Provide case management for Special Education caseload and provide instruction to students receiving special education supports

Professional Responsibilities

• Take ownership for the development of your craft (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with an instructional coach, implement feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)
• Actively engage in all school-wide professional development
• Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement grade-wide initiatives
• Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and school leadership on a regular basis
• Enroll in/complete a teacher certification program (if applicable)

School Responsibilities

• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
• Contribute to the planning and execution of all school-wide events
• Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events and phone calls home
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties
• Chaperone field lessons/field trips
• Additional responsibilities may arise during the school year. They will be communicated to all employees with as much notice and flexibility as possible.

Who You Are:

• You love and see the high potential of all children.
• You have experience driving student growth and achievement and creating a warm, inclusive, rigorous learning environment.
• You have passion for facilitating professional learning, including a desire to continuously grow and learn as a leader.
• You operate with cultural competence and a commitment to inclusion, anti-racism, and the eradication of anti-Blackness.
• You believe that teachers are the primary drivers of student growth, learning and achievement.
• You have high expectations for students and teachers; and the ability to motivate, inspire and hold others accountable.
• You are solution-orientated and have an eagerness to adapt in order to solve problems.
• You have strong classroom management skills.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of SPED full-time teaching experience (outside of substitute teaching) in an urban setting strongly preferred.
• Pennsylvania State certification Level I or II strongly preferred. If uncertified, must –
  • enroll in a PA-approved certification program within one year of hire.
  • submit transcripts upon hire (required for emergency permit application)
• Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks prior to start date:
  • PA State Police Clearance
  • PA Child Abuse Clearance
  • Cogent Federal Fingerprinting

Additional Information

Compensation:

• The salary range for this position is commensurate upon experience and certification status:
  • Uncertified Range: $56,650 – 79,000+
  • Certified Range: $60,000 - $88,500+
• Teacher salaries at KPPS are equitable and transparent. To maintain equity, teacher salaries are determined by a combination of years of teaching experience and certification status. All candidates are welcome to ask their recruiter how their experience and credentials will translate to their salary.
• All full-time team members at KPPS enjoy a comprehensive health benefits package (including vision and dental, a telehealth option, and flexible spending accounts) for themselves and their families as well as a 403B matching program for retirement savings and free access to financial advising services.
• Uncertified teachers have access to $5,000 in tuition reimbursement to pursue certification at a Pennsylvania-approved certification program.

Note To Applicants:

• KIPP Philadelphia Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are selected on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

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