Company Description About KIPP Texas Public Schools KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 54 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 32,000 students across Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more fair world.
Founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, we are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join a Team and Family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in belongingness, academic success and joy. If you are passionate about joining a mission and values-driven community who wants every child to want to run to school, the KIPP Texas Team and Family is for you!
KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.
Job Description
The Opportunity
The Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) is responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating students in grades K-12 with speech (including articulation, phonological, voice, resonance, and fluency disorders), language, and social communication disorders. He/she also serves as a campus consultant for staff, teachers, and parents on issues related to speech and language development. The SLP is responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records for students receiving speech therapy. This position furthers the mission of KIPP Texas as it helps ensure that all students with communication disorders receive the specialized interventions they need to make meaningful progress and lead a life of choice.
Key Responsibilities
Evaluate students with speech impairments
a. Observe students who are having speech difficulties as noticed by parents or teachers who suspect an impairment
b. Assess and evaluate students to determine if a speech impairment is present and to determine eligibility for services
c. Recommend in-classroom interventions prior to therapy referral
d. Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meetings to interpret
assessments and to discuss appropriate placement and goal setting for student identified as having speech or language impairments
e. Participate in KIPP Houston’s All Children Will Learn (ACWL) committee meetings to discuss interventions and pre-referral recommendations
Provide therapy to students that are identified as speech impaired
a. Meet with students on a regular basis to ensure services are provided as indicated in the ARD document ; Closely follow therapy schedule and provide make-up sessions when necessary
b. Provide therapy in the areas of language, articulation, fluency, and voice disorders
c. Implement Best Practices related to therapy techniques
d. Complete clinical records and paperwork associated with speech services
e. Provide students with Speech report cards each quarter to track progress Evaluate the effectiveness of speech therapy
a. Assist teachers and parents in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of speech therapy throughout the year
b. Anticipate areas where there is a need for more development or improvement
c. Meet with the ARD committee to discuss progress, interpret test results, and/or modify students’ IEPs
d. Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents regarding the accomplishment of therapy goals and needs of each student Provide informative workshops for educators, school leaders and faculty members a. Work with members of the Special Education Team in S 3 to provide at least one workshop per year at each KIPP Houston campus; Address issues such as developmental and educational norms for speech and in-classroom interventions b. Provide educators and parents with resources related to speech and language c. Assist school personnel in the identification and understanding of students with communication deficits Attend and participate in monthly Special Education meetings with the Director of Special Populations
Qualifications
Education and Knowledge:
- Valid licensure through Texas Department of Licensure & Regulation as a Speech Language Pathologist
- Valid Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology
- Previous experience as a Speech Language Pathologist in a school setting
Skills:
- Experience collaborating with teammates
- Experience using a variety of assessments to diagnose communication disorders
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
- Ability to work both on broad-based strategy and everyday details
- Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making
- Ability to synthesize knowledge and present it to stakeholders in a comprehensive
manner
- Independent, self-starter with a strong focus on student development
- Proven written and verbal communication skills
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Possession of a passionate and loving attitude toward all children
- Responsiveness; Follow-up and follow-through with students, families, and staff
members is essential
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
- Proficiency using computers, printers, copy machines, and fax machines
- Reliable transportation Additional Information Compensation and Benefits Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise. As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, fertility, and disability plans starting as low as $25/month. KIPP 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.