Teaching Environment

Walk into any class in a KIPP school, and you'll find an engaged group of students who are eager to learn. Our teachers play a critical role in fulfilling KIPP's mission of sending all students to and through college, and our unique KIPP school environment facilitates this success.

"Teaching at KIPP is collaborative. People play as a team and you aren't an island in your classroom. There are systems in place that make you a better teacher the moment you walk in the door, and the kids show up expecting to learn."

--Mike Rettberg, 8th Grade Science Teacher, KIPP SF Bay Academy

"I chose KIPP San Jose Collegiate because when I was interviewing I was so impressed by the high expectations, the quality of instruction. I wanted to be a part of that. This is the most effective system of schools I've seen. Everyone is focused on student achievement, on what's best for the kids, and everyone is working toward the same goals."

--Alicia Greenwald, Founding Teacher, KIPP San Jose Collegiate

As a teacher in a KIPP school, you can look forward to:

Support of Team & Family - Teaching at a KIPP school is a unique opportunity to work alongside like-minded educators who are united by the belief that every student can and will achieve at high levels if they are taught at high levels. This belief builds a team environment where teachers constantly challenge each other, stopping at nothing to ensure that they fulfill the promises they have made to students and their families--which takes personal commitment, responsibility and sacrifice. KIPP teachers rely on one another for support and guidance that extends beyond mere teamwork, creating a team and a family.

High Quality, Innovative Instruction - KIPP teachers have the freedom to design and adapt instruction to meet the needs of all their students, addressing obstacles to learning. Customized lessons allow teachers to be creative and innovative, becoming catalysts for student success. KIPP teachers can learn and share techniques with colleagues at their own schools and across the network. Instruction at KIPP builds up not only students' academic aptitude but also their character. Using KIPP's Five Pillars as the driving educational philosophy behind all that they do, KIPP teachers balance a rigorous curriculum with joy in learning.

Commitment to Excellence -Students, parents, and staff members are all at KIPP by choice. When choosing KIPP, they are asked to sign what is known as the Commitment to Excellence. By signing this contract, each person playing a role in an individual student's future (parent, student, and staff member) makes a promise to do whatever it will take to see that student to and through college. High expectations for behavior, attendance, and effort are clear before anyone makes the choice to be part of the KIPP Team & Family.

Extended Learning Time - KIPP schools provide students more learning time than do traditional schools. How each school adds extra time varies, but usually includes some Saturdays and summer school. Additional time means teachers can catch students up and also dive further into content so students achieve at higher levels. Schools can also provide activities such as music, chess, and sports. At most KIPP schools, the school year culminates with high-quality experiential field lessons to places such as national parks, historically significant regions, and college campuses.