Immediate- Elementary Special Education Intervention Specialist- Specialized Learning Classroom (behavior)

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 280 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

Why Teach with KIPP Columbus?

Respect: We respect and value the unique gifts our teachers bring. KIPP Columbus pays one of the highest salaries of charters in the region, and our comprehensive benefits package includes family leave, access to on-site daycare, fresh meals, and more.  We provide resources to curriculum and materials to support your work in the classroom, and foster a collaborative and supportive working environment for our teams!

Support: We prioritize the growth of every team member. Professional development and one-on-one coaching happen throughout the year to help you deliver your best. As part of the national KIPP Public Schools network, KIPP Columbus staff have access to curriculum, resources, and support from teams across the country.  Teachers receive year-round professional development rooted in antiracist practices and aligned to curriculum or role competencies.  Frequent feedback and support from school leaders, network content coaches, grade-level chairs, and other teammates improve teachers' craft. 

Teachers have dedicated time for planning and collaboration through structures including grade-level and content meetings, and professional development sessions. In our schools, teachers are able to grow their leadership through opportunities like being a grade-level chair, applying for fellowships, running an extra-curricular activity or leading school-wide initiatives as a teacher leader.  

Purpose: KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

The Opportunity

KIPP Columbus is looking for a highly qualified Special Educator who has a track record of instructional excellence and who is willing to continuously go above and beyond for students. Our KIPP team is committed to leading and teaching through an anti-racist lens and are responsible for delivering effective, rigorous instruction in their content areas that produce high-quality results and student understanding. The Diverse Learning Team at KIPP Columbus provides crucial services to students with disabilities.  In this role, educators provide specially designed instruction in small groups to students on their assigned caseload while also teaching content specific materials. 

The SLC (ED) Intervention Specialist will teach core curriculum and social-emotional learning curriculum to students with behaviorally focused disabilities in a small group setting, consistent with state standards, with the support of a behavior assistant.

Specialized Learning Classroom Intervention Specialists in K-12 schools in Ohio play a critical role in supporting students with diverse learning needs.  Summary of responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Implement individualized education programs (IEPs) for students with behaviorally-focused disabilities

• Adapt and modify curriculum to support students with diverse disabilities in general and special education settings.

• Provide small-group or one-on-one instruction to address students' unique learning needs

• Differentiate instruction and modify curriculum to meet students' unique learning needs

• Utilize trauma-informed care and evidence-based behavior management techniques

• Implement Safety Care or CPI strategies to safely de-escalate challenging behaviors

• Provide emotional regulation coaching and coping skills instruction

• Collaborate with school social workers, psychologists, and BCBA to support student well-being

• Teach students self-regulation, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills

• Assist each student in working toward independence, promoting self-advocacy and life skills essential for success beyond the classroom

• Serve as a liaison between students, teachers, families, and related service providers

• Ensure students receive appropriate accommodations and modifications

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, including IEP and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) meetings

• Implement behavioral intervention plans (BIPs) and positive behavior supports

• Utilize de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies 

• Assess students' academic and behavioral progress using formal and informal assessments

• Maintain documentation and progress reports for IEPs 

• Adjust instructional strategies based on data-driven decision-making

• Adhere to the Operating Standards for Ohio’s Schools Serving Children with Disabilities, ensuring proper placement, instruction, and evaluation of students with disabilities

• Ensure adherence to federal and state special education laws

• Ensure adherence to board policies and district procedures.

• Stay updated on best practices in inclusive education through ongoing training

• Actively involve parents and colleagues as learning partners, fostering a collaborative approach to student development

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university

• Current Ohio Special Education Intervention Specialist License or willingness and ability to pursue certification by start date by using one of 3 pathways:

  • Traditional

  • Alternative

  • Supplemental

• Prior teaching experience preferred, but not required

• Ability to remain neutral and regulated at all times

• Ability to demonstrate content knowledge in all core academic subjects

• Experience using Ohio’s Extended Learning Standards

• Experience collaborating with a BCBA

• Experience with participating in ETR meetings and writing ETR part 1

• Experience with writing IEPs, progress monitoring, progress reporting & data collection

• Experience using SameGoal to create special education documents

• Belief that outstanding school leaders, staff, and teachers can achieve excellent outcomes for all students.

• Ability to persevere with a sense of optimism, strong problem solving skills, and desire to learn and grow in a collaborative professional learning community

• Willingness, and commitment, to go above and beyond to prove the possible with students.

• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions

• Excellent written and oral communication skills

• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities

• Model the values of KIPP Columbus (Imagine, Navigate, Seek, Persevere, Integrity, Responsibility, and Empathy)

Compensation and Benefits

KIPP Columbus offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit plan including medical and dental insurance, as well as group term life insurance, retirement plan and paid time off.  

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.