Company Description

About KIPP Kansas City Public Schools:

KIPP Kansas City Public Schools is part of a nationwide network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory charter schools dedicated to preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. Our strength as a region serves as a catalyst for empowerment, change, and hope.

Founded in 2007, KIPP Kansas City Public Schools began with KIPP Endeavor Academy, serving approximately 31 fifth-grade students. Today, we educate approximately 1,000 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with our community continuing to expand. Together with families and communities, we strive to create joyful, academically excellent schools that equip students with the skills and confidence to pursue their chosen paths—whether college, career, or beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and contribute to a more just world.

Job Description

Position Overview:

Every member of the Team & Family at KIPP KC plays a critical role in ensuring our students are on the path toward college, career, and beyond. Our educators are passionate advocates for our students and families, working tirelessly to connect them with access to opportunity for lives of power and choice. As a Step Teacher you will work across multiple academies and campuses to provide rigorous physical activity that supports the knowledge and skill needed to perform steps. You are dedicated to constant learning and proactively provide academic and cultural support to your school and team. You are deeply committed to educational equity, building relationships with students and families so they are safe, seen, heard, and loved.

This role combines physical education, performance arts, mentorship, and student development while supporting academic success, behavior accountability, and community engagement. The Step Master provides instruction in stepping, rhythm, movement, calisthenics, conditioning, leadership development, and performance preparation aligned with Missouri DESE Physical Education standards and school-wide expectations.

The Step Teacher will also design Real World Learning (RWL) experiences including mentorship opportunities, client-connected projects, community service, and civic internships while building partnerships across campuses and within the broader community.

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional Delivery and Assessment

• Develop or internalize year-long Missouri State standards-based (or other curriculum-based), backwards-planned unit plans and lesson plans that meet all students’ learning needs
• Use assessment data to modify short and long-term plans in order to promote all students’ academic performance
• Embrace and incorporate feedback in the spirit of constant improvement
• Maintain accurate records, grade book, and data tracking systems
• Teach the history, traditions, and cultural significance of African American step traditions and performance culture.
• Design and implement step choreography for performances, competitions, assemblies, school events, and community showcases.
• Teach rhythm, timing, musicality, coordination, movement sequencing, stage presence, and performance confidence.
• Develop quarterly performances that showcase student growth, teamwork, and excellence.
• Organize and direct an annual end-of-year step showcase in partnership with external organizations, colleges, community groups, and local performers.
• Establish and enforce performance expectations, rehearsal procedures, and team accountability systems.
• Develop and maintain performance dress code standards for rehearsals, public performances, travel, and competitions.

Academic and Cultural Support

• Assume personal responsibility for student achievement
• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor
• Establish and maintain working relationships with students and families based on trust and respect
• Participate in the daily functions of the school such as morning, lunch, and afternoon supervisory duties
• Attend critical school events such as staff meetings, open houses, and student-led parent conferences
• Meet professional obligations including timeliness and consistency in meeting deadlines
• Exemplify the school cultural expectations

Physical Education & Conditioning

• Teach calisthenics, conditioning, flexibility, endurance training, strength-building, and injury prevention techniques.
• Incorporate physical fitness routines aligned to Missouri DESE Physical Education standards.
• Promote healthy lifestyle habits, fitness goal-setting, and physical wellness.
• Teach proper warm-up, cool-down, hydration, and body safety practices.
• Prepare and organize classroom materials and resources.
• Supervise children during classroom activities, meals, recess, and transitions to ensure safety and engagement.
• Provide one-on-one or small-group support to students needing additional assistance.
• Monitor, document, and communicate student behavior and academic progress with teachers, staff, and parents.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe classroom environment.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to professional ethical standards.
• Adhere to all state and federal regulations and district policies and procedures.
• Participate in professional development and training sessions as required.

Leadership Development & Student Accountability

• Teach leadership, discipline, responsibility, teamwork, professionalism, and character development.
• Develop student leadership structures including captains, section leaders, peer mentors, and performance coordinators.
• Coach students on communication skills, conflict resolution, professionalism, time management, and accountability.
• Progress monitor student academics, attendance, and behavior across courses and extracurricular activities
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrators to support student success plans.

Leadership Development & Student Accountability

• Teach leadership, discipline, responsibility, teamwork, professionalism, and character development.
• Develop student leadership structures including captains, section leaders, peer mentors, and performance coordinators.
• Coach students on communication skills, conflict resolution, professionalism, time management, and accountability.
• Progress monitor student academics, attendance, and behavior across courses and extracurricular activities
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, coaches, and administrators to support student success plans.

Real World Learning (RWL) Experiences

• Facilitate mentorship opportunities with colleges, alumni, and community leaders.
• Organize client-connected projects with businesses and community organizations.
• Coordinate community service and service-learning opportunities.
• Create civic and career exploration internships connected to performance arts, fitness, education, and leadership.

Campus Culture & Partnership Development

• Build positive cross-campus relationships with students, staff, and families.
• Develop partnerships with colleges, fraternities and sororities, cultural organizations, community groups, local businesses, and performance organizations.
• Represent the school at community events, showcases, and partnership meetings.
• Recruit and retain students for participation in the step program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or job required level of education
• Substitute Certification
• Relentless focus on results and a commitment to teamwork
• Deep commitment to educational equity and underserved communities
• Valid Missouri Teaching licensure with required certification for subject and level assigned*
• Demonstrated knowledge of core subject area assigned
• Satisfactory outcome of a background check

*Applicants currently pursuing a certification may apply before certification is received. All certifications must be acquired and on file with KIPP KC before the end of the first year of employment.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school or office throughout the workday.

• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.

Work Environment

• Reports to work Monday-Friday.

• Typical school or office environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements:

• Ability to travel to work location.

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary is based on years of experience, educational background, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Kansas City employee, you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Kansas City benefit plans. We offer a comprehensive range of benefits with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, as well as life insurance, fertility, and disability plans.

KIPP Kansas City is committed to the professional growth and development of our staff. We provide numerous opportunities for advancement, ongoing professional development, and leadership training to help you achieve your career goals.

KIPP Kansas City provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Selection Process:

Our application process is grounded in equity and fairness, ensuring a just and unbiased selection process. Below is our standard selection process for regional roles:

Selection Process

Application Submission + Resume Review

Phone or Video Interview

If Applicable (Sample work or Performance Task)

Committee Interview(s)

1:1 Chat w/Hiring Manager

Reference Check

Offer Terms