The Ewing Marion Kauffman School (Kauffman School) is a three-school campus of mission-driven college preparatory schools in Kansas City, MO unrelentingly focused on student achievement. The school’s mission is summarized in three words: create college graduates. The school design is based on inspiring examples of charter schools throughout the country that are helping urban students achieve at high academic levels. The Kauffman School has a longer school day and a longer school year. Students receive two periods of math and three periods of reading instruction each day. The school has a talented and dedicated staff and an intentional set of structures and systems—all of which focus on student achievement. The Kauffman School expects outstanding outcomes from its students and staff and believes every student can excel behaviorally and academically. Kauffman Students are empowered by their identities and place in the community, and develop a critical consciousness of the world around them.
By 2018, the Kauffman School will grow to serving grades 5-12 with more than 1,100 students. The Kauffman School looks to its dedicated staff to support this growth.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman School seeks highly effective Teachers to serve on its team, joining a group of highly committed educators willing to do “whatever it takes” for students to succeed. Kauffman School staff believe all students can meet high academic expectations in the right school environment. Teachers at the Kauffman School ask much of themselves and their students. They work a longer school day and school year, but receive ongoing coaching and development in addition to professional consideration of their planning and prep time. Achieving high standards depends on placing great teachers in the classroom and dedicated staff throughout the building.
The Kauffman School is currently recruiting teachers for middle school grades 5 through 8 in the following content areas: Math, Science, English, Specials (Art, Language, Fitness, Theater, Dance, and Music).
The Kauffman School is currently recruiting teachers for high school grades 9 through 11 in the following content areas: Math, Science, History, English, Specials (Art, Language, Fitness, Theater, Dance, and Music).
Teachers in the Kauffman Schools are not classroom teachers, but rather subject teachers in subject teachers who focus on a content-specific subject matter. Because we are a growing charter network, our application and interview process identifies candidates who would be great teachers, no matter the content or grade level. Know that your grade-level preferences will be a point of discussion in future conversations and interviews, and we value teachers being flexible in both content and grade preferences.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Curriculum Design, Instruction, and Student Assessment
• Develop curriculum aligned with state and common core standards
• Design assessments and use data to refine curriculum and inform instructional practices
• Approach practice with a sense of urgency, maximizing every minute with students
• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor
• Differentiate plans for individual students based on their unique learning profiles so that all students are engaged and challenged
• Deliver content and instruction to students with purpose, passion, and a willingness to do “whatever it takes” to help students succeed
Building School Culture
• Use your own authentic teacher persona to build strong relationships with students and engage students in deep learning
• Believe deeply in the mission of the Kauffman School and that all children can meet high academic expectations
• Discuss, celebrate, and reinforce the school’s PREP (Perseverance, Results, Empathy, Passion) values
• Work with a strong grade and building team to uphold consistent behavioral systems and student expectations
• Be accountable for student’s mastery of academic standards
• Embrace feedback and constructive criticism in the spirit of constant improvement
• Demonstrate maturity, humility, professionalism, confidence, and a strong work ethic inside and outside the classroom
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Ideal candidates will have experience as a teacher or leader in a top performing charter, district, or independent school. They will be deeply committed to meeting the urgent challenges posed by the achievement gap in American education.
• Bachelor’s degree required, masters preferred
• At least three years of experience teaching low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students, with a record of exemplary results
• Ability to work extended school day hours and extended school year days
• Commitment and complete belief in the Kauffman School’s mission and organizational success
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, self-reflection, strong work ethic, and “whatever it takes” attitude
• Ability to take feedback well and implement changes immediately
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Entrepreneurial energy and ambition necessary for leading a startup
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor in the face of competing demands and external pressures
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The Kauffman School offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with relevant experience and anticipated duties and responsibilities, including comprehensive health benefits.
TO APPLY:
Interested applicants should complete a formal application through the Kauffman School Careers page at http://www.kauffmanschool.org/.
Your cover letter should address your interest in the Kauffman School Teacher and prior experiences that make you a uniquely qualified candidate:
• Share any significant academic gains you have achieved with students, citing specific evidence and/or data
• Highlight your experience working with low-income, minority, or historically underachieving students
• Provide specific evidence of your alignment with the Kauffman School’s missions of “creating college graduates” and/or the Kauffman School’s PREP Values
The Kauffman School is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming people to flourish in an open and inclusive work environment. A diverse pool of candidates is welcomed and encouraged.