Job Description

The Opportunity

The College and Career Seminar Teacher works as part of the KIPP Through College/college counseling team. They are responsible for teaching a college counseling curriculum for high school juniors and seniors which will support them in applying for best fit colleges and universities. In addition to teaching, the College and Career Seminar teacher also works closely with academic teachers, parents, students and universities to ensure our students are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully matriculate to and thrive in college until they graduate. The College and Career Seminar Teacher is also responsible for helping organize all of the college counseling activities on campus, including but not limited to scheduling college visits, writing counselor recommendations, managing the transfer of student documents to colleges, planning and delivering parent meetings.

This position is ideal for applicants who have at least 2 years of experience teaching in a high school, have had college counseling experience and are passionate about increasing college access for traditionally underserved students through college counseling and advising.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing curriculum and a scope and sequence for junior and senior seminar lesson plans and assessments.
• Teach junior/senior seminar class, a college readiness course focusing on the career planning, college application and matriculation process.
• Advise a caseload of junior/senior students not enrolled in the college readiness course on career planning, college list development, and test registration.
• Establish and maintain relationships/partnerships with colleges and universities, outreach programs and scholarship organizations.
• Create and disseminate information and resources for teacher PD on writing excellent teacher recommendations and coordinate teacher recommendation submissions.
• Manage nominations and applications for summer program opportunities provided by our KIPP College Partners
• Actively research all aspects of college placement: financial aid, scholarships, applications, and admissions standards.
• Work with the High School counselor to ensure students take the TSI test.
• Schedule and manage the college visit calendar
• Collect, maintain, and share application and enrollment data with high school leadership.
• Advocate for seniors with college admissions and financial aid offices.
• Schedule and develop parent information workshops.
• Manage student and college data in college and persistence tracking systems (Naviance, Salesforce, etc.)
• Assist the Director of KIPP Through College with projects as they arise.
• Collaborate with College Alumni advisors to develop programming and present transition lessons for graduating seniors
• Support the KTC team during times of high-volume work (O3s, College Admissions, Transfers, Financial Aid, etc.)
• Research current changes and updates to existing laws and information regarding educational options for undocumented students and support families through workshops, one-on-one meetings, and small group meetings.
• Develop relationships in the community with other non-profits, specifically through SACAN, in order to bring services and resources to our high school and college alumni (Financial Aid, college support, college advisement)
• Codify the work being done in service of students
• Provide all KIPPsters with consistent information on college scholarships and organizations focused on internships, jobs, college planning and financial aid.
• Attend and participate in annual KIPP retreats, KIPP School Summit and KTC regional retreats.
• Attend professional development workshops in support of KTC goals & objectives.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students and parents.
• Communicate high expectations for behavior by teaching, practicing, and reinforcing rules and consequences so that students are focused on working hard and being nice.
• Collaborate with content and grade-level teams to promote an environment of critical thinking and academic rigor.
• Consistently reflect on instructional practices through formal and informal methods, and work relentlessly to meet individual professional development goals.
• Assume responsibility for students’ achievements.
• Embrace feedback and constructive criticism in the spirit of constant improvement.
• Meet professional obligations through efficient work habits such as meeting deadlines and honoring schedules.
• Actively participate in professional development, faculty meetings before or after school, as well as grade level, department, and trip meetings.
• Assist with both student and staff recruitment.
• Other duties as relevant to the school mission as assigned by school leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the college application process and experience working with students required.
• Prior experience teaching high school students (especially first-generation) preferred.
• Strong working knowledge in all Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Outlook: Naviance, Salesforce, Google Drive and TxEIS a plus.
• Ability to work with faculty, families, students, and community partners.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment that is deadline driven.
• Ability to communicate effectively, interpret policy and procedures, maintain emotional control under stress.
• Strong record of helping students achieve academic success, primarily with minority and low-income students.
• Strong communication skills; fluency in Spanish helpful.
• Implement classroom management practices that are consistent with the culture of the school.
• Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful, and willing to do whatever it takes to help our students apply and get accepted to four year colleges and universities.
• Excellent people skills, with an ability to represent the students, families, and staff of KIPP Houston schools well to multiple constituencies.
• Flexibility and ability to multi-task within an ambiguous, fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions.

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP 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.