Indianapolis Public Schools

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers…

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you’re maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You’ll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you’re new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits:

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.

Work-Life Balance and Well-being:

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district’s success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for amazing people who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our vision and are energized by investing in academic improvement. The Middle School Science Teacher will teach one or more Sciences to students by performing a variety of essential duties. Some of these essential duties include: instructing students using districtwide approved resources, using instructional methods such as modeling, guided practice, lecturing, cooperative learning, integration of technology, and finally lesson planning to ensure that the lessons are focused on Indiana State Science Standards. In addition, the Science Teacher will provide a positive classroom learning environment for all IPS students. This is a full-time, 10 month position.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Instructs students using district-approved resources. Instructional methods include modeling, guided practice, lecturing, cooperative learning, integration of technology.
• Prepares daily lesson plans focusing on Indiana Science standards, course objectives, student performance and student assessments. Lesson plans should follow curriculum guidelines and requirements of the State, District and School.
• Administers frequent formal and informal assessments to monitor student learning. Examples include District Assessments, classroom exams, homework, projects, essays, classroom discussion.
• Analyzes data to make instructional adjustments to improve student learning.
• Communicates with students and parents concerning their progress.
• Enters daily student attendance on the District system.
• Maintains a positive classroom learning environment and records/reports discipline concerns via the District system.
• Participates in faculty and professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops.

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information.
• Design - Translates concepts and information into images.
• Project Management - Develops project plans.
• Technical Skills - Assess own strengths/weaknesses and strives to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction.
• Innovation - Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.
• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality.
• Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Completes assigned tasks correctly and on time
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process.
• Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of students, parents, or employees of IPS.

Math Ability:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of Algebra. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software; Spreadsheet software and Database software.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Valid Current Indiana Teacher's License with appropriate and Secondary Science endorsement.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.

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