SY 26/27 High School Band Teacher

About KIPP Kansas City Public Schools:

KIPP Kansas City Public Schools is part of a nationwide network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. Our strength as a region serves as a catalyst for empowerment, change, and hope.

Founded in 2007, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools began with KIPP Endeavor Academy, serving approximately 31 fifth-grade students. Today, we educate approximately 1,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with our community continuing to expand. Together with families and communities, we strive to create joyful, academically excellent schools that equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen paths—whether college, career, or beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more just world.

Position Overview:

Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP KC plays a critical role in ensuring our students are on the path toward college, career, and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for our students and families, working tirelessly to connect them with access to opportunity for lives of power and choice. As a Literacy Teacher Assistant, you will deliver exceptional instruction and assess student growth. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team. You are deeply committed to educational equity, building relationships with students and families so they are safe, seen, heard, and loved.

Position Overview:

Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP KC plays a critical role in ensuring our students are on the path toward college, career, and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for our students and families, working tirelessly to connect them with access to opportunity for lives of power and choice. As a {CONTENT AREA} Teacher, you will deliver exceptional instruction and assess student growth. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team. You are deeply committed to educational equity, building relationships with students and families so they are safe, seen, heard, and loved.

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional Delivery and Assessment

• Develop or internalize year-long Missouri State standards-based (or other curriculum-based), backwards-planned unit plans and lesson plans that meet all students’ learning needs
• Use assessment data to modify short and long-term plans in order to promote all students’ academic performance
• Embrace and incorporate feedback in the spirit of constant improvement
• Maintain accurate records, grade book, and data tracking systems

Academic and Cultural Support

• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement
• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor
• Establish and maintain working relationships with students and families based on trust and respect
• Participate in the daily functions of the school such as morning, lunch, and afternoon supervisory duties
• Attend critical school events such as staff meetings, open houses, and student-led parent conferences
• Meet professional obligations including timeliness and consistency in meeting deadlines
• Exemplify the school cultural expectations

General responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Teach students to read and perform notes on treble clef and bass clef staff
• Teach students to identify, subdivide, clap, and perform basic rhythms, using a proven method (e.g. Kodaly or Orff)
• Teach students sight singing using a proven method 
• Teach students to identify melodic diatonic intervals by ear and on a staff

Teach a year-long advanced music class for experienced school students

• Assign classwork, homework, quizzes, and tests to assess student growth and mastery
• Teach students to read and perform notes on a treble and bass clef staff, including up to three ledger lines above and below the staff
• Teach students to identify and perform accidentals 
• Teach students to identify key signatures, and perform music in a range of key signatures.
• Teach students major and corresponding minor scales up to four sharps and four flats in the key signature. 
• Teach students to identify, subdivide, clap, and perform rhythms including triplets, tied rhythms, and dotted rhythms
• Teach students chromatic melodic intervals by ear and on a staff
• Teach students rehearsal and performance skills etiquette, including how to follow a conductor, and how to follow a section leader
• Manage a sectional schedule for each group of instruments, including flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a variety of percussion instruments.

Lead Real World Learning Musical productions and  performances

• Develop and conduct at least three performances (minimum one per trimester) in either stand-alone performances or as past of existing shows (eg, The Winter Wonderland Show, Multicultural Show,  etc.)
• Develop Real World Learning experiences such as client connected projects, mentorship and arts based industry recognized credentials, and market valued assets

Continue collaboration with all external music partnerships and programs

• Hosting musicians for master classes
• Leading field trips to music performances 
• Collaborating with music fellows who support on-site sectional instruction 

Other responsibilities as needed:

• Manage the inventory of instruments, including monitoring for necessary repairs and instrument replacements
• Manage a relationship with a repair technician to schedule repairs
• Maintain and develop a library of band exercises and arrangements
• Collaborate with and support other electives like Art, Technology, etc. 
• Work with KIPP KC music teachers and foster a collaborative work relationship
• Coordinate purchases and expenses with principal and CSO to manage a yearly Band budget
• At least three years of full time classroom teaching experience
• Model of effective and high-quality teaching
• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
• Extreme flexibility to accommodate multiple priorities and a strong work ethic to accommodate high level of responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a professional working environment and a healthy measure of the character traits we value: Commitment to Excellence, Team and Family, Find a Way or Make One, Change Our World and Our Place Within It
• A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-3 years of experience of relevant work experience
• Relentless focus on results and a commitment to teamwork
• Deep commitment to educational equity and underserved communities
• Valid Missouri Teaching license with required certification for subject and level assigned*
• Demonstrated knowledge of core subject area assigned
• Satisfactory outcome of a background check

*Applicants currently pursuing a certification may apply before certification is received. All certifications must be acquired and on file with KIPP KC before the end of the first year of employment.

Skills and Competencies: 

• Commitment to KIPP KC’s mission and values
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse environment
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Fosters an inclusive environment for students, staff, and families
• Works effectively with colleagues and stakeholders
• Builds strong relationships within the KIPP KC community

Physical Requirements: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. 

• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school or office throughout the workday.

• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region. 

Work Environment

• Reports to work Monday-Friday.

• Typical school or office environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel to work location. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary is based on years of experience, educational background, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Kansas City employee, you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Kansas City benefit plans. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans.

KIPP Kansas City is committed to the professional growth and development of our staff. We provide numerous opportunities for advancement, ongoing professional development, and leadership training to help you achieve your career goals.

KIPP Kansas City provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Selection Process:

Our application process is grounded in equity and fairness, ensuring a just and unbiased selection process. Below is our standard selection process for regional roles:

Selection Process 

Application Submission + Resume Review 

Phone or Video Interview 

If Applicable (Sample work or Performance Task) 

Committee Interview(s) 

1:1 Chat w/Hiring Manager 

Reference Check 

Offer Terms