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, youll 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. Youll 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 Whats Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
A TEACHING CAREER IN IPS OFFERS
Purpose and Impact
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.
Community
Working in a school means its your home away from home, and you have a school family who supports you and leads with empathy and vision.
Professional and Personal Growth
Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early-career teachers.
Generous Compensation: Were proud to offer the highest teacher starting pay in Indianapolis and one of the most competitive in the state, with teachers starting at $56,000 depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Our teacher salaries are continually on the rise as IPS regularly advocates for stronger teacher compensation.
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.
Work-Life Balance and Well-being
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.
Flexible Wellness: 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.
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.
WHAT WE EXPECT
Commitment to Excellence
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.
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.
Resilience and Passion
Dedication to Students: Put students at the heart of your work. Be passionate about their success and well-being. Be adaptable, handling adversity with resilience and flexibility. Be prepared for a dynamic work environment.
Professional Integrity
Ethical Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals, communicate with candor and care.
Team Player
Be dependable, punctual, and collaborative, contributing positively to our supportive work environment. Build meaningful relationships and be an ambassador of the SITE program on the campus.
JOIN US
Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; its a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove Whats Possible - in your career and in your school. If youre ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.
SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
SITE stands for Skills for Independence Transition and Employment and is an IPS transition program provided to students on the IUPUI campus and City of Indianapolis.
These IPS students are ages 18-21 and on a Certificate of Completion Course of Study. They audit IUPUI classes and are not working toward a college degree. The SITE team is led by two IPS teachers and includes an employment training specialist, an instructional assistant, and IUPUI work-study students.
The purpose of the program is to build self-reliance and provide learning experiences that prepare these young adults for a successful, well-rounded adult life. The program strives to create a personally meaningful day for each individual, which can be sustained when they complete their education services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Comfortable and able to maneuver the IndyGo bus system.
Meet students downtown at Transit Center at the beginning and ending of each day to triage students safely to and from the program.
Start and end the workday at the IndyGo Transit Center.
Provide assistance to students to plan and structure their time in a meaningful way.
Take initiative to seize learning opportunities as they come or create opportunities to move students toward greater self-reliance and independence.
Attend to safety issues for each student.
Provide safeguards based on individual profiles and knowing each student well.
Accountability to and close communication with the SITE TORs and ETS.
Assist in data collection and documentation of student progress.
Attend professional meetings, maintain records.
Adhere to the IUPUI SITE program schedule, follow daily schedule as established and assigned by the SITE teachers.
Act independently of teachers, consistent with established student plans.
Accompany students on campus and in the city, independent of the SITE teachers presence, consistent with established student schedules.
Assist and support students in IUPUI classes as determined by SITE teachers.
Support students on career internships in community businesses.
Comply with students IEPs and BIPs.
Assist students as needed with personal care needs, such as hygiene, student transfers from a wheelchair, feeding, and restroom needs.
Present as an ambassador of the SITE program on the campus.
Maintain positive communication and interactions with IUPUI faculty and students.
Participate in monthly SITE Team meetings.
Participate and support the Case Conference process as needed.
Coordinate and attend Manifest Determination conferences as needed.
Work collaboratively with teams to develop Classroom Management and Behavior Intervention Plans.
Perform other duties assigned.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Critical core competencies for successful performance in this role are:
QUALIFICATIONS
This role provides privileged access to the inner workings between the IPS Special Education Department, IUPUI, and partner organizations. The successful candidate will be discrete, high-energy, agile-minded, strategic, proactive, a direct communicator, highly-organized, and committed to the vision and values of Indianapolis Public Schools, IPS, and the IPS Unified Student Supports Department.
In addition, the following standards will generally define the successful incumbent:
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS
The individual in this position works with a wide range of IPS staff, partners, administrators, and service providers on routine and diverse problems encountered to fulfill its special education duties. The individual must possess and employ a variety of personal and interpersonal skills in the discharge of the positions responsibilities. This position requires a positive attitude when dealing with staff and IUPUI, IPS constituents. Good judgment, discretion, and individual initiative are necessary for the effective discharge of the positions significant responsibilities.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
Ability to effectively present