Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Teacher

Company Description

Together | A Future Without Limits

KIPP New Orleans Schools (KNOS) is a non-profit network of 12 college/career-preparatory, public charter schools serving approximately 5,000 elementary, middle, and high school students, and over 2,000 alumni.  While each of our schools is as unique as the community to which it belongs, we are united around a shared promise: To build academically excellent schools that create unlimited opportunity for all students. For 20 years, we have a proven track record of preparing students for success in college, career, and beyond.

At KIPP, you have the freedom to innovate and the support to grow. You never stop learning, and you’re part of a national network that’s leading the way in getting students from underserved communities to and through college, and beyond. As the largest charter school management organization in New Orleans, we serve nearly 15% of the city’s students, so we need passionate teammates to join us to make their impact at KIPP. Where will YOU take us?  Click here to learn more about teaching and working at KIPP!

Job Description

The Adaptive Physical Education Teacher helps students with disabilities build motor skills, physical fitness, confidence, and participation in physical education. This teacher assesses student needs, supports service eligibility determinations, and delivers individualized instruction aligned with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Through collaboration with educators, therapists, and families, the teacher supports students’ physical, academic, and character development.

Responsibilities

Assessment and individualized planning

• Assess students’ motor skills and fitness levels to ensure that IEP present levels accurately reflect their abilities and needs.
• Evaluate students through the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process for adaptive physical education services and reevaluate students currently receiving services.
• Develop and update annual IEP goals and objectives aligned with student needs, curriculum standards, and interventions that support classroom participation.
• Monitor student progress through observation, informal assessment, and consultation with classroom teachers.
• Participate in annual IEP meetings, as needed.

Instruction and service delivery

• Adapt physical education instruction, activities, and lesson plans to meet students’ individual needs and IEP goals.
• Provide weekly services as specified in student IEPs, including documented make-up sessions as needed and assigned.
• Provide consultation and implement services in inclusive settings, when appropriate.
• Establish a safe, supportive learning environment through effective student behavior management.
• Ensure teacher-to-student ratios in adaptive physical education courses comply with state requirements.
• Adhere to KIPP’s clinical standards of practice.

Collaboration and communication

• Collaborate with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and classroom teachers to coordinate services and maintain continuity across settings.
• Guide students, instructional assistants, families, and school staff in strategies that strengthen motor skills, participation in individual and group activities, and overall physical fitness.
• Maintain ongoing communication with special education facilitators and case managers regarding student needs, progress, and service delivery.

Qualifications

The following are required of all KIPP New Orleans teachers:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Certification in adaptive physical education

• Personal affinity to our mission and vision, as well as demonstrated commitment to our 5 core beliefs - Relentlessness, Elevation, Achievement, Community, and Hope

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of a professional reference check, proof of identity and work authorization (all KNOS employees must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form), a state background check, and verification of teaching experience

The following are strongly preferred for all KIPP New Orleans teachers:

• At least two years of teaching experience in urban, open enrollment schools

• Demonstrated success raising student achievement outcomes

• State issued teaching credential 

Work Environment and Physical Demands

The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. All of these physical requirements should be able to be performed with clarity, coherence and connectedness of the KNOS vision, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. 

• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, including noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds, to more moderate situations such as classrooms or large group professional settings.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers and various digital devices, and one needs to be able to read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) and maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.

• Ability to meet the physical demands of classroom teaching (standing, circulating, occasional lifting/moving of classroom materials); Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time.

• Must be able to move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other instructional or student activity spaces, and may be required to stand, walk, or respond quickly during routine supervision or emergency situations.

• Ability to safely lift and move up to 30 lbs independently

• Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using employee's personal transportation.

• This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Commitments

• Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors.

• Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders.

• Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals. 

• Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings.

Additional Information

• Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, and we routinely engage in compensation analysis for all roles across the organization to ensure that we remain competitive in the market. 

• 403(b) retirement plan – KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately in 403(b).

• KNOS employees are eligible for health and wellbeing benefits starting the first day of the month following their Date of Hire.

• Comprehensive, customizable health coverage, including disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees.

• KNOS employees are provided ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off.

• Opportunities for on-going professional development.

Disclaimer:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• This job description shall not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between KNOS and any of its employees.

KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At KIPP New Orleans Schools, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of KNOS employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the KNOS has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Contact Us:

Please contact our regional Talent Team at talent@kippneworleans.org with any questions.