Associate Director of Teaching and Learning, Science

Who We Are KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a nonprofit organization that operates 20 tuition-free, open-enrollment charter public schools, within 17 Local Education Agencies (LEA), educating more than 10,000 students and supporting 8,300 alumni to and through college and beyond. Our award winning schools are part of the national KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) network, dedicated to meeting the needs of all learners and providing the social, emotional and academic support for success in high school, college, and life.   Mission Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare 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.   What We Do At KIPP SoCal we build trusting relationships that are strengthened by high expectations and collaboration alongside laughter and joy. We set ambitious goals and hold each other accountable for students achieving their greatest potential. We work together with each other and in partnership with families and communities in the active pursuit of a more equitable world. We do the right thing, even when it's not always comfortable standing up and speaking out against anti-blackness, racism, oppression, and injustice. We persevere through obstacles and treat failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Job Description The Associate Director of T&L, Science leads the design and implementation of content-specific visions, systems, and structures that advance KIPP SoCal's regional academic priorities in Science programming. In close collaboration with the Director of Teaching & Learning, Director of Math & Science, Director of Literacy, and school leadership teams, the team member in this role will set direction through clear goals and success metrics, lead professional development for school leaders, and provide differentiated on-the-ground support to schools based on need and health.   The AD of T&L, Science may lead team wide, cross-content projects that exercises their project management and supports the team in accomplishing yearly goals in science achievement. Every effort this role leads — from vision creation to new teacher onboarding to tiered school support — is in service of ensuring that all students experience an equitable, joyful, and academically excellent learning environment.   This role primarily works inside of our schools. There will also be opportunities to work in our office just south of Downtown LA.   Updated application deadline is September 21, 2026. Anticipated start date is October 2026. The role is signing bonus eligible.

Desired Outcomes

Contribute to improved student achievement across assigned schools, with each school meeting its established annual ELA, Science, and/or Math goals as measured by interim and summative assessment data.

• Ensures that all specialist support — including professional development, coaching, and curriculum guidance — is directly connected to identified student learning needs and adjusted based on ongoing progress monitoring

• Partners with school leaders, Directors of School, and the Director of Teaching & Learning to monitor student progress data and align support strategies to closing identified gaps

Lead the creation and ongoing refinement of a content-specific vision for excellence in ELA, Science, and/or Math that is inclusive, equitable, and culturally relevant, ensuring the vision is documented, clearly communicated, and actively used to guide instructional decisions across assigned schools.

• Collaborates with the Director to establish 3-year content-specific goals and achievement targets in partnership with the Assessment Manager

• Provides input on regional T&L priority planning and ensures content-specific vision is aligned to regional priorities and KIPP SoCal's anti-racist standards

Establish and lead the implementation of content-specific systems and structures that enable schools to successfully implement key instructional tools and resources, resulting in the established percentage of schools meeting implementation fidelity targets as measured by observation and walkthrough data.

• Leads a project plan for an enabling system or structure in collaboration with the Director, tracking milestones and adjusting as needed

• Collaborates with coordinators and site leads to drive specific initiatives on the ground, ensuring systems are coherent, sustainable, and responsive to school needs

Provide differentiated, on-the-ground school support based on school health and tiered support plans, ensuring that all assigned schools receive the established level of direct support and that Tier 3/heavier support schools have a clear, active individualized support plan that is implemented with fidelity.

• Provides on-the-ground development and coaching to school leaders and leadership teams based on school health and identified needs

• May provide Tier 3 school leader support as directed by the Director of School, CAO, and/or Director of T&L, and may provide general T&L support outside of content area with clear direction from the Director or Director of School

Design and lead high-quality regional and school-based professional development that results in the established percentage of participants rating sessions as effective and demonstrating application of learning in their instructional practice.

• Plans and facilitates professional development that is grounded in evidence-based instructional practices and responsive to school and regional priorities

• Continuously refines professional development design based on participant feedback and observed impact on instruction

Manage and develop direct report(s) so that they meet their established performance goals and demonstrate growth in their role-specific competencies as measured by mid-year and end-of-year performance reviews.

• Sets clear goals and expectations with direct reports at the start of the year and revisits them regularly through structured check-ins and progress monitoring

• Provides ongoing coaching, targeted feedback, and developmental opportunities that support each direct report's growth and effectiveness in their role

• Completes all performance management responsibilities on time, including 90-day check-ins for new team members and mid-year and end-of-year reviews

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (required)
• 4-5 years of science teaching related experience, preferably charter schools and in 3rd-8th grade; must have active CA Preliminary or CLEAR credential and/or out of state professional teaching license
• School leadership experience is highly preferred, especially if there you do not possess a long track record of teaching science
• Deep standards-based science content knowledge; strong preference for Amplify experience
• Deep experience with and knowledge of best practice research methods for science
• Experience driving outcomes for students of all skill levels
• Critical thinking skills and creativity in building strong systems and structures that support science instruction
• Extensive experience designing and leading professional development and training sessions to a variety of teacher and leader experience levels
• Excellent project management skills
• Experience leading teams to drive results; examples: grade level chairs, department chairs, instructional coach of multiple new teachers
• A deep passion for social justice, anti-racism work, and equity for all children
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others and build relationships across teams and schools
• Model the values of KIPP SoCal  (lead with love, strength in the collective, equity and excellence, curiosity and integrity)

Compensation

• KIPP SoCal Public Schools offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in a similar position. The salary range for this position is $101,393 to $152,090. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary between the range minimum and the salary range midpoint of $126,742 depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budget allocated for this role.
• 100% of healthcare premium costs covered by employer, dependents added at 50% of the cost
• Employer-paid KIPP SoCal life insurance
• 401(k) plan with up to 6% match by KIPP SoCal
• Voluntary Benefits (Pet Insurance, Supplemental Life, Accident, Short Term Disability, etc.)
• Generous time off program includes 22 holidays, sick leave and vacation
• Other great benefits (Flexible spending account, EAP, etc.)    KIPP SoCal Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation/gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.   KIPP SoCal strives to ensure that our careers website is accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please contact us. You can find our contact information on our website, http://www.kippsocal.org/. Information will be sent to a talent acquisition representative who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the hiring process.