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 TEACHING CAREER IN IPS OFFERS…
Purpose and Impact:
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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.
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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.
Professional and Personal Growth:
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Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early career teachers.
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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 starting at $55,600 depending on experience, plus a generous benefits package. Our teacher salaries are continually on the rise, as IPS regularly advocates for stronger teacher compensation.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
Commitment to Excellence:
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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.
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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:
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Dedication to Students: Put students at the heart of your work. Be passionate about their success and well-being.
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Adaptability: Handle adversity with resilience and flexibility. Be prepared for a dynamic work environment.
Professional Integrity:
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Ethical Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. Act responsibly and respectfully toward all individuals, communicate with candor and care.
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Team Player: Be dependable, punctual, and collaborative, contributing positively to our supportive work environment.
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:
TITLE: Media Specialist
WHO WE ARE:
Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is a student-focused, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence. Our mission is to empower and educate all students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly, to embrace diversity, and to pursue their dreams with a purpose. We are a family of excellent public schools in which every student has the opportunity to succeed and the power to create their own future.
Led by forward-thinking leadership and our commitment to prioritizing students, racial equity, and authentic engagement with our families, team members, and communities, our staff have diverse opportunities to develop their careers in a challenging but rewarding environment. We are an organization for people who are passionate about education and who are committed to the Indianapolis community.
JOB SUMMARY
Collaborates with teachers to ensure that the core academic program is well supported, facilitates whole class, individualized and small group instruction with students to support increased achievement, and cultivates a love for reading across the school community.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Bachelor's degree, Master's degree preferred.
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Minimum three years of successful teaching experience in library/media centers plus elementary general education teaching. Educational background with experience in problem-based learning, inquiry-guided units, cooperative and team teaching, interventions for struggling readers, positive disciplinary approaches, authentic assessment, online learning platforms, and social media integration.
MAJOR RESPONSIBLITIES
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Plan and support direct instruction through the integration of library services and multimedia materials; work directly with teachers to meet academic requirements and promote student achievement.
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Oversee media center support staff and volunteers to ensure quality library service and support.
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Draft and implement policies and procedures that support access to and success of the library and media center; maintain an attractive and accessible facility.
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Develop and deliver a rigorous and authentic research and library skills program aligned with standards for students in grades K-8.
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Plan, direct, implement and evaluate the library program including budgeting, resource purchasing, maintenance and updating of records.
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Use achievement data to plan interventions, facilitate inquiry-based instruction, and authentically assess and monitor progress for individuals and small groups of students in language arts and/or mathematics.
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Lead and/or support the school-wide standardized testing coordination.
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Manage both print and online resources as well as technology equipment; understand how technology alignment can support the core curriculum, interventions, and enrichment in language arts and mathematics. Work collaboratively with the technology teacher, district computer technician and IPS IT Department to ensure student internet protection.
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Demonstrate respect for students and make their success a top priority within a supportive, caring and stimulating learning environment.
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Demonstrate outstanding communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to communicate openly and effectively within a diverse community and with a variety of stakeholders both within and outside of the school.
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Utilize Responsive Classrooms protocols to promote respect, discipline, and collaboration in both classroom and school environments.
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Recognize the importance of being a reflective practitioner, and possess a commitment to collaborate and share practices with colleagues and willingness to learn from others.
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Actively participate in meetings, conferences, media events, and/or related activities within the school, community, and organization as requested by school administration.
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Participate in and lead professional development opportunities, professional learning communities, grade level meetings, subject level meetings, and school wide committees.
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Communicate with all shareholders (students, parents, teachers, administrators, district personnel) regarding student achievement, program scope and sequence (pacing), policies, classroom activities and opportunities, and current progress of the programs via meetings, letters, blogging and submission of articles to school newsletters and additional publications.
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Perform other duties as assigned by administration, including non-instructional duties.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Valid Media/Library Specialist license and Elementary Education License; out of state applicants must be able to secure an Indiana teaching license.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DISCLAIMER:
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.
