Primary Teaching Resident (SY25) - KIPP DC

About KIPP DC 
By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools and two programs, 7,500 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

About the team
Quality teachers have a proven impact on student success. The Capital Teaching Residency is a teacher training program that provides a pathway for new teachers to develop into high-performing educators. With a full year of learning under a mentor teacher, unparalleled professional development, and a commitment to educational equity, the Capital Teaching Residency provides an alternative and accessible pathway to teaching careers. Upon successful program completion, residents are eligible to apply for their DC teaching certification.

About the role
Primary Teaching Residents commit to teaching for a minimum of three years in Washington, DC. Residents spend the first year of this commitment – their residency year – training in an anchor classroom with a highly effective lead teacher to develop teaching skills and confidence. Early Childhood residents train in a PreK or Kindergarten classroom, while Elementary residents train in 1st through 4th grade classrooms.

This is an exempt position and will report to their school’s principal. 

Location and Type of Work
Location: We have six early childhood schools and six elementary schools in DC looking for excellent teachers to join their team. 

Work Hours: While students receive instruction from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, KIPP DC teachers are on duty in school Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm two times a week, and 7:30 am to 4:00 pm three times a week.

Primary Teaching Residents will also be required to attend in-person CTR professional development classes starting with summer professional development in July and continuing in the school year on Wednesday evenings after school hours. This professional development is required for certification.

Additional responsibilities may arise during the school year. This could include but not limited to: attending staff and student field trips, open houses, family-teacher conferences and other events involving parents and students as needed. We will communicate them to all employees with as much notice and flexibility as possible.

Responsibilities:

Teaching (65%)

• Assist lead teachers with instruction, classroom culture, and administrative duties
• Under the supervision of your mentor teacher, gradually take on increasing classroom responsibilities as determined by classroom need and your individual performance
• Apply new skills in other grades and subjects within your school community by serving as the substitute in a classroom when a teacher is absent
• Internalize and teach clear and concise developmentally- appropriate content to support student learning
• Gather resources and prepare materials to ensure strong student engagement in lessons
• Participate in regular meetings with your mentor teacher and school coach, grade level meetings, and network wide professional development

Professional Development (20%)

• Attend and actively participate in all Capital Teaching Residency professional development beginning in July 2025 through the end of the school year
• Participate in and implement feedback from observations, evaluations, and feedback meetings with school leaders and the Capital Teaching Residency team

Program Coursework (15%)

• Meet the resident clinical practice milestones in accordance with the gradual release model
• Complete all Capital Teaching Residency certification assignments and projects throughout the residency year
• Complete the applicable asynchronous course aligned to the Praxis Content Knowledge exam required for certification
• Attempt all Praxis certification examinations required for DC teaching certification

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by June 2025, all majors accepted
• A belief that all students have the right to a high quality education where educators play an integral role in providing support so that all students can succeed

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ideal candidates have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools and throughout Washington, DC. 
• Occasional flexibility to work outside normal business hours or weekends for KIPP DC events.

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas: 

• Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
• Commitment to Equity: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
• Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.
• Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
• Perseverance: Persists in the face of challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. Maintains focus and motivation over time, even when progress seems slow or difficult.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Shows initiative in generating ideas and solutions; solves problems and achieves results beyond what is expected.
• Organization: Sets a high bar for own work, has excellent time management skills and is dedicated to getting the job done.

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The starting salary for this position is $52,000. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.  
• Following the residency year, residents who successfully complete the program are eligible to interview for roles with competitive pay including senior resident ($57,000), lead teacher at KIPP DC (starts at $65,500 - salary scale here), or lead teacher roles at partner public charter schools.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.

• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 10 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, paid Thanksgiving week break, winter break, spring break, and summer break. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.
• All employees who use public transit through WMATA are eligible for pre-tax deductions for transportation costs.