<p>WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Together, we are Proving What's Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.</p> <p>A TEACHING CAREER IN IPS OFFERS…</p> <p>Purpose and Impact:</p> <ul> <li>Students First: Teaching for IPS is a rewarding opportunity to support bright, curious students as they shape their futures. We hold ourselves to the highest expectations of excellence, focusing on students' holistic needs during their educational journey with us. </li><li>Community: Working in a school means it is your home away from home, and you have a school family who supports you and leads with empathy and vision. </li></ul> <p>Professional and Personal Growth:</p> <ul> <li>Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early career teachers. </li><li>Generous Compensation: We're proud to offer the highest teacher starting pay in Indianapolis and one of the most competitive in the state, with teachers earning $53,460 - $94,000 depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Our teacher salaries are continually on the rise, as IPS regularly advocates for stronger teacher compensation. </li><li>Access to Financial Benefits: Working in IPS makes it possible to benefit from federal programs such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF), helping reduce the financial burden of student loans. </li></ul> <p>Work-Life Balance and Well-being:</p> <ul> <li>Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access top-tier health plans covering medical, dental, and vision needs, plus IPS offers a private clinic for staff and their families through our partners at Ascension St. Vincent. </li><li>Flexible Wellness Leave: Take the time you need to care for yourself and your family with our generous leave policies. Teachers receive 70 hours of sick leave in their first year (56 hours annually after) for illness, family, or mental health, plus three personal days, two floating holidays, and school breaks. Unlimited accumulated sick leave adds flexibility, supporting teachers' health and work-life balance. </li><li>Incentivized Discounts through IPS Wellness Program: Opportunities to earn hundreds of dollars off your medical premium by participating in proactive and simple health screenings, plus discounted group fitness classes, health and fitness assessments, personal training, and more. </li></ul> <p>WHAT WE EXPECT...</p> <p>Commitment to Excellence:</p> <ul> <li>High Standards: Strive for the very best in all you do, maintaining high standards for yourself, your students, and your colleagues. Embrace lifelong learning and adapt to new teaching methods and challenges. </li><li>Educational Equity: IPS is deeply committed to breaking down systemic inequities. We do this by "walking the walk" on new policies and practices, building diverse and inclusive classrooms and staff teams, and ensuring our environments are grounded in our values of respect, inclusivity, and educational equity. </li></ul> <p>Resilience and Passion:</p> <ul> <li>Dedication to Students: Put students at the heart of your work. Be passionate about their success and well-being. </li><li>Adaptability: Handle adversity with resilience and flexibility. Be prepared for a dynamic work environment. </li></ul> <p>Professional Integrity:</p> <ul> <li>Ethical Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals, communicate with candor and care. </li><li>Team Player: Be dependable, punctual, and collaborative, contributing positively to our supportive work environment. </li></ul> <p>JOIN US!</p> <p>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.</p> <p>SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:</p> <p>The Writing Center Specialist will provide strategic development and implementation of IPS's school-based writing centers. The Writing Center Specialist will plan and carry out activities within the high school-based Writing Center through collaborative relationships with other staff and departments and with community and university partners and tutors. This is a 10 month certified position which reports to the Writing Center Coordinator.</p> <p>QUALIFICATIONS:</p> <p>Masters Degree or Master of Fine Arts in writing, English, or a related field; Must hold or be in position to obtain valid Indiana State Teacher's License in Secondary ELA. Should have experience as a teacher or tutor at the high school or college level. Other mentorship or volunteer experiences applicable.</p> <p>ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:</p> <p>The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.</p> <p>Core Duties and Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Provides students the opportunity to improve their writing skills by overseeing the development and delivery of effective tutoring programs, increasing the awareness of the service and benefits of writing support, evaluating the effectiveness of the writing support efforts, and improving student confidence in their voice and authority, in service of opening doors in educational, professional, and creative opportunities. </li><li>Assures effective writing support for students by selecting, training, scheduling, and volunteers, planning and implementing training and professional development opportunities for volunteers, reviewing and selecting tutoring materials, expanding the selection of writing resources available online to students, based on curriculum-specific assignments and supports. </li><li>Increases the reach of the Writing Center by working with university sponsors, community partners, and other IPS specialists to share best practices and create an equitable network to serve all students in the district and to help sustain the initiative into the future. </li><li>Assists in academic year scheduling of walk-in hours, standing appointments, workshops, and classroom utilization for the writing center; ensures access to students by scheduling, announcing, and maintaining regular office hours. </li><li>Coordinates volunteer writing tutors and ensures volunteers have passed required background checks through HR and have required training. </li><li>Works closely with teachers, support staff, building administration, and district administration. </li><li>Manages data collection for writing appointments. </li><li>Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds. </li><li>Maintains a positive, energetic, solution driven demeanor in all interactions with students, staff, and families. </li><li>Performs other duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>"Day In the Life" Overview</p> <p>On a regular day, as the Writing Center Specialist, you might:</p> <ul> <li>Work with students to refine their writing skills for high school and postsecondary success </li><li>Work with community partners to develop long-lasting relationships and programs </li><li>Work with high school leaders and teachers to plan curricular supports </li><li>Collaborate with the Future Center staff to support students' preparedness for their three E's </li><li>Provide updates and information to schools and families to ensure access to and use of the writing centers </li><li>Ensure all writing center appointments are successfully completed by facilitating connections between students and volunteer tutors </li></ul> <p>WHAT YOU'll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS</p> <p>As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:</p> <ul> <li>Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities </li><li>Clear written and verbal communication with a diverse staff community </li><li>Rapport with students, families, staff, and community members through strong relationship building </li><li>Knowledge of university-style writing center best practices </li><li>Effective analysis of data to drive decision making </li><li>Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment </li><li>Proactive, able to anticipate conflicts before they arise </li><li>Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively </li><li>Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy </li><li>Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion </li></ul> <p>SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.</p> <p>LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one, small group, and large group situations.</p> <p>MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.</p> <p>REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.</p> <p>CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must hold a valid Indiana State Teacher's License in Elementary Education (K-6). Must be deemed Highly Qualified in accordance with the Indiana Department of Education</p> <p>PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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 enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.</p> <p>While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to find, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.</p> <p>WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.</p> <p>While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.</p> <p>DISCLAIMER:</p> <p>The above job description is designed to denote the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of employees assigned to this job.</p> <p>For benefits information, please see: https://myips.org/employment/employee-benefits/</p>