Middle School Director of Student Support (Internal Only)

Job Summary

The Middle School Director of Student Support role is an integral part of the middle school leadership team and is designed to ensure that students with disabilities are provided specially designed instruction in the least restrictive environment. The starting salary range for this role is $125,223-$138,403. This is a full-time, fully on-site role based at one of KIPP DC’s middle schools with an anticipated start date of July 2026.

This position is only open for current KIPP DC employees. The deadline for internal applicants to apply is May 11, 2026.

About KIPP DC

For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation’s capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.

Our work is grounded in five pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.

As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.

About The Role

KIPP DC is looking for a dynamic, committed, and flexible Middle School Director of Student Support to lead, collaborate, coach, and serve as an integral part of the school leadership team. This role drives all aspects of Special Education and Student Support. This position is fully in-person and is designed to increase student achievement.

As a Director, this position must also ensure adherence to established internal control policies and procedures and maintain compliance within the organization.

Location and Type of Work

This is an exempt position and will report to the Managing Director of Student Support. As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support which requires this position to be fully on-site. This role is currently required to be on-site or in schools during regular work hours.

Responsibilities

The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.

Instructional Leadership (50%)

• Instructional leadership and coaching
• Coaches and holds others including teachers, instructional assistants, and dedicated aides accountable for implementing special education best practices
• Maintain a frequent presence in assigned classrooms
• Conduct learning walks with the school leader designee and coach
• Set and model expectations for specially designed high quality instruction and continuum of services is delivered for students with IEPs through lesson observation and feedback.
• Strategic collaboration
• Collaborate with school administrators to identify classroom support and development needs for special educators.
• Facilitate all key stakeholders' collaboration to solve individual student cases as needed.
• Conduct and present file reviews for students who need additional academic and/or behavioral support.
• Data-driven student outcomes
• Promote rigorous use of data to ensure that programming and curriculum meet the needs of students with individualized education programs (IEP) and 504 accommodation plans across assigned grade bands and schools.
• Support teachers who work in the integrated co-teaching model to plan collaboratively using student data.
• Oversee that IEP teams regularly review student data to ensure that students receive individualized support across the full continuum of services.
• Manage the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) review process at the school level.
• Professional Development
• Develop and implement professional development that include progress monitoring systems to ensure school teams implement:
• Various aspects of special education and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS).
• 504 processes (referral, eligibility, plan implementation) with fidelity.
• English Language Learners (ELL) processes

Strategic and Planning and School Culture (35%)

• In collaboration with the school leader, develop and uphold school-wide vision to meet the goals of the school and special education department
• Identify equity gaps in curriculum, student outcomes, and pedagogical approaches to continue advancing the organization’s commitment to becoming anti-racist and providing students with disabilities an education in their least restrictive setting.
• Support the school leader with ensuring schoolwide compliance with federal, state, and local special education requirements, including timely IEP meetings, service delivery, and implementation of accommodations.
• Work with the leadership team, staff and families to build an inclusive school environment for special populations (i.e. students with IEPs, students with 504s, ELL students, new students, students with HCYP status, etc.)
• Serve as a key decision-maker for complex student support cases, including students with IEPs and 504 Plans, and support staff in navigating both instructional and compliance-related responsibilities.
• Partner with families of students with disabilities to ensure clear communication, shared understanding, and collaborative problem-solving around student supports and service

Talent (15%)

• Effectively manages and develops educators of a wide range of skill and experience level by defining responsibilities, setting goals and providing ongoing feedback and support
• Participate in special education teacher interviews
• Hire and manage related service providers at assigned schools
• Ensure that school teams appropriately implement the service of dedicated aides as a supplemental support.

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• A minimum of 2 years in a leadership role on a school or district-level leadership team with special education programming
• A minimum of 5 years as a lead teacher in general or special education
• Understanding of IDEA and DC eligibility criteria
• Experience managing 504 plans
• Current Member of the KIPP DC team

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified in special education.
• Masters in special education.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 10 pounds
• Ability to stand frequently
• Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools
• Prolonged periods of sedentary work

Demonstrated Excellence In The Following Areas

• Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving: Finds creative solutions to challenges that achieve broader goals of team and organization.
• Project Management: Sets a high bar for own work and supports others to achieve desired team outcomes.
• Communications and Influence: Demonstrates adept communication skills and influence to advance work by adjusting content and style.
• Teamwork: Contributes to a supportive team culture, fostering diverse work styles and maintaining a high performance standard.
• Trust and Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
• Cultural Humility: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
• Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.

Benefits & Compensation

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $125,223-$138,403. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.