Upper Elementary ELA Teacher

2027-28 Upper Elementary Ela Teacher

KIPP — the largest nonprofit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools in the nation—has demonstrated, at scale, that all children have the potential to excel academically regardless of race or zip code. KIPP Public Schools is a network of 279 schools with more than 16,000 educators and 210,000 students and alumni, including Indianapolis. KIPP Indy Public Schools (KIPP Indy) was founded in 2004 with one class of fifth-grade students and has grown to serve 1,500 students across three schools. Of the students that attend KIPP Indy, 93% qualify for free and reduced lunch, 95% are African American or LatinX, 12% receive special education services, and 8% are designated as Emerging Bilinguals. As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to create joyful, academically excellent schools in which teachers, students, and families are all united around the same goal of preparing students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world.

At KIPP Indy Unite Elementary, we aim to be the school of choice in Indianapolis by developing confident, capable young scholars. Every student brings unique gifts—talent, curiosity, and creativity—and we are dedicated to helping them recognize and nurture these strengths. Our focus is on building a strong academic foundation while instilling key values like perseverance, teamwork, and respect. Through rigorous instruction and character development, we prepare our students to succeed in school and life. We foster a supportive, inclusive environment where every child can thrive, regardless of their background or challenges.

Excellence in teaching is central to our mission. We invest in continuous professional growth to ensure our educators deliver the best possible instruction. As a community, we hold one another to high standards, knowing that success is built on collaboration, hard work, and resilience. At KIPP Indy Unite, we are laying the groundwork for lifelong success, empowering our students to excel and positively impact the world around them.

Job Description

KIPP Indy Public Schools is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Elementary School English Language Arts (ELA) Content Expert Teacher for grades 3-5 to lead literacy instruction for elementary students. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of foundational literacy skills, including phonics, reading comprehension, and writing, and will be committed to fostering a love of reading and writing in young learners. This teacher will play a critical role in helping students build essential literacy skills that form the foundation for academic success.

Responsibilities

• Implement engaging, standards-aligned ELA lessons for grades 3-5 that focus on foundational literacy skills, including phonics, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and writing.
• Prepare students for the IREAD assessment by implementing targeted instruction and interventions that enhance reading proficiency and ensure all students meet the assessment requirements. (3rd Grade)
• Implement differentiated instruction and age-appropriate interventions to support students at various stages of literacy development, including those who require additional support and enrichment.
• Regularly assess student progress through formative and summative assessments, analyze data, and use results to tailor instruction and improve student outcomes.
• Foster a love of reading and writing through engaging, creative lessons that capture students' interest and imagination, incorporating a variety of texts and genres.
• Maintain high expectations for all students, regardless of their current literacy levels, and provide the necessary support to help them succeed.
• Create a positive, inclusive classroom environment that promotes student engagement, collaboration, and risk-taking in learning.
• Build strong relationships with students and families, communicating regularly about student progress and strategies for supporting literacy at home.
• Collaborate with academic coaches and other teachers to align curriculum, improve instructional practices, and share best practices for literacy instruction.
• Embrace feedback and work with academic coaches to continuously improve instructional strategies and professional development.
• Take ownership of your professional growth by seeking learning opportunities and staying current with best practices in literacy education.
• Participate actively in ongoing coaching, observation and feedback cycles, team learning, and required professional development; implement feedback and agreed-upon action steps to strengthen instructional practice.

Competencies

• High expectations for student achievement, regardless of age or background.
• Able to create an inclusive, supportive classroom environment.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, especially in building relationships with families and colleagues.
• Demonstrates reliability, sound judgment, integrity, preparedness, and follow-through while meeting school and network expectations.
• Actively engages in coaching, seeks and incorporates feedback, reflects on practice, and applies learning from professional development to improve student outcomes.

Expectations

• Arrive at school by 8:10 a.m.
• Attend professional development, including summer onboarding.
• Track and analyze student data regularly and attend team meetings.
• Fulfill all expectations outlined in the KIPP Employee Handbook.

Qualifications

• Valid Indiana teaching license or applying for reciprocity with a valid out-of-state license (required).
• Bachelor's degree in elementary education or a related field (preferred).
• Minimum of 2 years of teaching experience (preferred).
• Strong understanding of foundational literacy and child development (required).
• Proven record of fostering academic success in diverse, underserved communities (preferred).
• Experience in using data to guide instruction and improve student outcomes (preferred).
• Unwavering commitment to KIPP Indy's mission and vision (required).
• Pass a criminal background check, as required by law (required).

Additional Information

Licensed teacher starting at $50,000. Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a highly competitive benefits package. Opportunities for performance-based bonuses are also available.

Benefits Include:

• Up to 12-weeks paid parenting leave
• Two PPO Health Plan Options
• Vision
• Dental
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness
• FSA
• HSA
• Life Insurance
• Short & Long-Term Disability
• Licensure & Tuition Assistance
• 403B/401K Roth Retirement Options with employer match up to 10%
• Employee Assistance Program
• Extended Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off with unlimited rollover
• End of the year Merit Increase
• Annual Wellness Screenings

KIPP Indy Unite Elementary is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.