KIPP NYC Director, Middle School Literacy

About KIPP NYC

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of free, public charter schools that prepares students for success in college and life. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in The Bronx.  Our goal was to graduate students with the strength of character and academic abilities needed to succeed in high school, college and beyond – and in so doing, to prove what is possible for all students.  Today, our New York City network is comprised of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Through College, a comprehensive support program for our alumni. KIPP NYC Public Schools currently serves more than 9000 students and alumni and has a staff of more than 900.

Position Overview

The Director of Middle School Literacy is an essential position that drives ELA achievement at KIPP NYC’s Middle Schools. The Director of Middle School Literacy will report to the Managing Director of Teaching and Learning and work closely with the Teaching and Learning Support team (TLS) and school-based leaders to ensure the effective implementation of the Middle School literacy program and other literacy initiatives, specifically working toward the adoption of Fishtank ELA as the common curricula for One KIPP.

General Duties and Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Strategic Curriculum Design and Management

• Continually refine KIPP NYC’s Literacy and ELA practices to align to the Science of Reading
• Manage and support the year one implementation of Fishtank ELA and teacher/leader facing resources to support high-quality literacy instruction across KIPP NYC middle schools
• Design additional curricular support materials to ensure that teachers have the resources to be data responsive in their instruction
• Draw on content knowledge and understanding of effective literacy instructional practices to design and revise curriculum documents and continually evaluate curriculum implementation

 Assessment Design and Data Systems

• Develop and design summative and interim assessments that yield meaningful data on students’ reading and writing skills throughout the year
• Analyze regional data in collaboration with regional leaders and school-based leaders to create action plans that promote student achievement in reading, writing, and foundational skills
• Use data from DIBELS and iReady ELA to ensure strategic reading intervention through various literacy structures in middle school
• Collaborate with the Data and Assessment Team to create and manage a system for sharing assessment data results and analyses to the greater KIPP NYC teacher and leader community 

School Support

• Engage and invest stakeholders (teachers, school leaders, students, families) in the vision of high-quality literacy instruction using Fishtank ELA, iReady ELA, and DIBELS
• Observe instructional practices in schools to identify and address curriculum design and professional development gaps
• Collaborate with school-based leaders and teachers to devise meaningful action steps that improve student outcomes
• Support school-based leaders in continually evaluating the effectiveness of the literacy program overall 
• Design, implement and manage regional ELA processes and events like Millionaire’s Day Off and Curriculum Fellows Board

Professional Development

• Provide targeted coaching and professional development experiences to principals and deans to support content knowledge development and curriculum implementation and innovation
• Develop and facilitate regional professional development for teachers and leaders to ensure full implementation of curriculum and instructional initiatives across content areas

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education and/or ELA or Literacy education preferred
• Minimum 4 years exemplary ELA teaching experience with strong student achievement results
• Minimum 3 years exemplary teacher coaching and adult management experience
• Deep knowledge of ELA content and learning theory, current educational trends, blended learning practices, methods, research, and technology, and program planning and implementation
• Knowledge of DIBELS and Fishtank ELA preferred
• Commitment to DEI practices and willingness to evolve curricula to be more culturally responsive and sustaining
• Experience planning and leading engaging and effective professional development for adults
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with multiple stakeholders across the organization 
• Meticulous attention to detail with an ability to produce high quality work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Ability to exercise discretion and judgment with the handling of highly sensitive and confidential information
• Demonstrated passion for and a commitment to the KIPP mission for high quality public education and our core values.

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $115,000 - $132,000. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band.

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

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision. 
• 403(b) retirement plan with 50% match after 6 months. 
• Generous Time-Off aligned with school calendar
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave. 
• Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
• Employer paid Life Insurance  and Short term/Long term disability.
• Employee incentives including 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

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. We commit to partnering with local businesses and hiring talent from within the neighborhoods we serve when developing and maintaining our schools. By prioritizing these connections, we strengthen economic opportunities, foster long-term investment, and ensure that our schools reflect all members of the communities they are built to support.