Professional Development & Support – KIPP Massachusetts Public Schools

Our people enable us to achieve our mission at KIPP MA.

Therefore we invest heavily in our employees’ growth and have codified several internal pathways to development to ensure our valuable employees have opportunities to deepen their practice and/or advance. Our internal pathways to development are in addition to the professional development each staff member receives throughout the year as part of our model at KIPP MA. As with all of our talent processes, we approach internal pathways to development with a mission-centered approach, a high degree of intentionality and a focus on equity, retention and sustainability. Below are the internal pathways to development currently available at KIPP MA.

How We Support Our Teachers

Succession Planning

If a leadership role will be vacated in the near future, a successor may be appointed and developed. Intentional development of a successor allows the organization to ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders and ensures continuity. Candidates may apply for a successor role via an internal hiring process; the decision for appointment rests with the hiring manager and the Executive Leadership Team. A *Professional Growth Plan can support a successor’s transition into the role.

Internal Career Pathing

Through the annual intent-to-return survey and informal and formal discussions between employees and their managers, the Talent Team collects data on individual employees’ career interests for the purpose of developing internal pipelines for vacancies and supporting career pathways development. Additionally, the Talent Team occasionally maintains an internal pool of eligible applicants who have successfully moved through the hiring process for a particular role, such as Assistant Principals, so that when vacancies arise, there is a pipeline to draw from.

Stipended Leadership Opportunities

Each year opportunities for stipended leadership roles arise, including Grade Level Chair, Department Chair, and Summer School leadership positions. These roles are in addition to one’s primary role, which is why they are stipended. Opportunities vary by school, and the hiring process for each role may vary as well. For more information about school-based stipended roles, such as Grade Level or Department Chairs, please speak with your principal or direct manager.

Teaching Fellows

The KIPP MA Teaching Fellows program currently runs at our elementary schools and provides an alternate pathway into teaching for a diverse group of aspiring educators. Teaching Fellows learn through a combination of: individualized instructional coaching; cohort-specific professional development; modeling and mentoring from a Lead Homeroom Teacher; and teaching and co-teaching through a Gradual Release of responsibilities. The Teaching Fellows program is designed as a one-year pathway into a Lead Homeroom Teacher or Interventionist role.

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