Senior Director of STEM Achievement

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.

Position Overview:

The Senior Director of STEM Achievement will drive the vision and execution of KIPP KC’s regional STEM instructional strategy, ensuring academic excellence, talent development, and data-driven decision-making in Mathematics and Science. This leader will manage and coach school-based and regional instructional leaders, ensuring STEM instruction is rigorous, evidence-based, and designed to close achievement gaps.

The Senior Director will be instrumental in implementing systems of intellectual preparation, real-time coaching, weekly data-driven instruction meetings, and resource creation to enhance teacher practice and student learning. They will also track progress towards annual STEM anchor metrics & goals, ensuring all instructional and leadership strategies align with data-driven benchmarks for success.

This role requires a visionary, strategic leader with deep instructional expertise in STEM education, a relentless commitment to student outcomes, and the ability to drive transformational change across multiple schools.

Key Responsibilities

STEM Teacher Development & Evidence-Based Instructional Support

• Design and execute rigorous, culturally responsive STEM instructional frameworks aligned to college and career readiness standards.

• Lead the adoption and refinement of evidence-based pedagogy, ensuring alignment with research-backed instructional practices that drive student achievement.

• Facilitate weekly data meetings with teachers and instructional leaders to analyze student work and assessment data, driving instructional decisions and interventions.

• Implement real-time coaching models to provide teachers with actionable, high-impact feedback on instructional delivery.

• Oversee the development of intellectual preparation systems, ensuring teachers deeply internalize lesson objectives, anticipate student misconceptions, and execute highly effective instruction.

Leader Development & Management

• Coach and develop Math and Science Assistant Principals, STEM Department Chairs, and regional STEM coaches to ensure consistent instructional leadership.

• Build instructional leadership capacity through coaching cycles, real-time feedback, and professional learning communities (PLCs) for STEM leaders.

• Partner with school principals to integrate STEM instructional priorities into their school-wide academic vision and leadership team structures.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for leader effectiveness in coaching and developing teachers.

Data-Driven Instruction, Progress Monitoring & Annual STEM Anchor Metrics

• Lead weekly STEM data analysis meetings, ensuring educators leverage assessment data to differentiate instruction, close learning gaps, and accelerate student growth.

• Develop a region-wide data strategy for tracking student mastery in STEM, using formative and summative assessments to drive instructional adjustments.

• Partner with the Analytics Department to provide STEM educators with real-time, actionable data reports that inform instructional decision-making.

• Utilize predictive analytics and progress monitoring to identify at-risk students and design targeted intervention strategies.

• Monitor progress towards Annual STEM Anchor Metrics & Goals, ensuring all instructional and leadership strategies align with data-driven benchmarks for success.

• Provide quarterly progress reports on student performance, instructional effectiveness, and STEM program impact, making data-informed recommendations for course corrections.

Systems of Intellectual Preparation & Curriculum Development

• Design and implement a systematized approach to intellectual prep, ensuring that teachers have a structured process for lesson internalization and strategic planning.

• Ensure STEM curricula are rigorous, aligned, and culturally responsive, driving student engagement and conceptual understanding.

• Evaluate, refine, and support the execution of high-quality instructional materials in Mathematics and Science, ensuring fidelity of implementation.

Resource Creation & Professional Development

• Develop high-quality instructional resources, including exemplar lesson plans, student-facing practice materials, and assessment tools tailored to STEM instruction.

• Create video exemplars and professional development modules showcasing high-leverage STEM instructional practices.

• Lead the development and execution of high-impact STEM professional development for teachers and leaders across the KIPP KC region.

• Design and facilitate network-wide STEM institutes, collaborative learning spaces, and ongoing professional learning arcs that drive instructional transformation.

• Partner with the Talent Development Team to design leadership pipelines and succession planning strategies for STEM instructional roles.

High-Impact STEM Programming

• Develop STEM enrichment programs to support accelerated learning, problem-solving skills, and student engagement.

• Partner with universities, industry experts, and external organizations to create extended learning opportunities in STEM.

• Expand access to advanced STEM coursework and develop programs that encourage student participation in STEM-related fields.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in education, with at least 3 years in a school leadership role (e.g., principal, instructional leader) and experience in directly supervising school leaders.
• Relevant licensure or certification required.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to move freely throughout school campuses and office locations.

• Ability to spend extended periods of time standing, sitting, or actively engaging in professional development facilitation and coaching sessions.

• Occasional lifting and carrying of instructional materials and technology equipment.

• Frequent use of laptops, projectors, and online collaboration tools for training and resource creation.

Work Environment

• Combination of school-based, office, and virtual work.

• Requires frequent collaboration across multiple school sites, coaching staff in classrooms, and leading professional development sessions.

• Work may occasionally occur in high-energy, fast-paced school settings with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements

• Regular travel between KIPP KC school campuses is required.

• Occasional regional and national travel for professional development, KIPP network events, and conferences (approximately 10-20% travel).

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.