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:

• 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 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:

• Grow Your Career: We offer professional development and career advancement opportunities, including dedicated mentorship programs for early career teachers.
• 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. 
• 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 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.
• 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.
• Adaptability: Handle 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.

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 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The Computer Science teacher is responsible for delivering engaging, standards-aligned instruction that equips students with foundational and advanced skills in computer science, including programming, computational thinking, and digital literacy. This role emphasizes real-world application, problem-solving, and collaboration to prepare students for postsecondary education and careers in technology-related fields.

In addition to instruction, the teacher collaborates with school staff, industry partners, and postsecondary institutions to enhance curriculum relevance and expand opportunities such as dual credit, certifications, and work-based learning experiences. The role also includes ongoing assessment of student progress, participation in professional learning, and contribution to continuous program improvement aligned with district and workforce priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

Must have or be eligible through the Indiana Department of Education for one of the following licenses:

●       Computer Education 5-12

●       Computer Science 5-12

●       Business 5-12

●       CTE: Business and Technology 5-12

●       CTE: Business and Information Technology 5-12 or

Workplace Specialist: Computer Science 9-12:

●       Must have occupational experience in the field of computer science or related area and meet the criteria of one of the following requirements:

○       5,000 hours (about 2.5 years of experience) in the last five (5) years.

○      4,000 hours (about 2 years) in the past ten (10) years and demonstration of occupational competency test(s).

○      4,000 hours (about 2 years) in the past ten (10) years and evidence of occupational licensure or occupational proficiency based on approved regional, state, or national board training and evaluation.

○      4,000 hours (about 2 years) in the past ten (10) years and completion of an accredited 2-year or higher degree in the specific certification area

○      4,000 hours (about 2 years) in the past ten (10) years and completion of an apprenticeship or internship program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

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.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Instruction & Curriculum Delivery

●       Plan and deliver engaging, standards-aligned instruction in computer science courses Design and implement project-based learning experiences that emphasize computational thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application.

●       Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners, including students with IEPs, English learners, and advanced students.

●       Integrate current technologies, programming languages, and industry tools into daily instruction.

Curriculum Development & Program Alignment

●       Align curriculum to state standards, approved Programs of Study, and industry expectations.

●       Incorporate industry-recognized credentials, dual credit opportunities, and postsecondary alignment where applicable.

●       Continuously update course content to reflect emerging trends in technology and workforce demands.

Student Assessment & Data Use

●       Develop and use formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress and mastery.

●       Analyze student performance data to inform instruction and improve outcomes.

●       Maintain accurate records of grades, attendance, and required reporting (e.g., credential attainment, course completion).

Work-Based Learning & Career Readiness

●       Integrate career exploration and employability skills into instruction.

●       Support and collaborate on work-based learning experiences such as job shadows, internships, industry projects, and certifications.

●       Connect students to career pathways and postsecondary opportunities in technology fields.

Classroom Environment & Culture

●       Establish a safe, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment that promotes collaboration, innovation, and student voice.

●       Reinforce digital citizenship, ethical use of technology, and responsible online behavior.

●       Maintain classroom/lab organization, including proper use and care of equipment and technology.

Partnerships & Collaboration

●       Collaborate with colleagues, counselors, and administrators to support student success and pathway alignment.

●       Engage with industry partners and postsecondary institutions to enhance curriculum relevance and student opportunities.

●       Coordinate a Computer Science Advisory Board consisting of business and industry partners and post-secondary representatives.

Professional Responsibilities

●       Participate in ongoing professional development related to computer science, instructional practices, and equity in CTE.

●       Stay current with emerging technologies, industry certifications, and instructional strategies.

●       Fulfill all district, state, and federal requirements, including compliance with CTE and Perkins guidelines.

“Day In the Life” Overview

On a regular day, as the Computer Science Teacher, you might:

●       Launch the class with a bell ringer or warm-up

●       Deliver a mini-lesson with direct instruction and modeling

●       Circulate the room to provide real-time feedback, troubleshooting, and differentiation for students at varying skill levels

●       Lead collaborative learning activities, such as paired programming or small group problem-solving challenges

●       Integrate career connections by highlighting real-world applications of the lesson and discussing related tech careers

●       Host or prepare for a guest speaker from industry (e.g., a software developer, cybersecurity analyst, or IT professional) to share career pathways and current industry practices

●       Organize or debrief a field trip experience

●       Embed digital citizenship and ethical discussions

●       Check for understanding through exit tickets, quick assessments, or code reviews

●       Participate in Professional Learning Communities with colleagues

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

●       Student-Centered & Equity-Driven Instruction – Belief that all students can succeed in computer science; intentionally designs inclusive, accessible learning experiences for diverse learners.

●       Strong Content Knowledge & Real-World Application – Demonstrates proficiency in computer science concepts and connects learning to real-world problems, careers, and industry expectations.

●       Project-Based & Experiential Teaching – Design engaging, hands-on learning (e.g., coding projects, industry challenges) that promote problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity.

●       Facilitation of Learning & Growth Mindset – Acts as a coach who encourages exploration, persistence, and iteration; normalizes debugging and learning from failure.

●       Differentiation & Instructional Responsiveness – Adapts instruction to meet varied student needs using scaffolds, supports, and extensions.

●       Assessment & Feedback for Learning – Uses authentic assessments (projects, portfolios) and provides timely, actionable feedback to drive student growth.

●       Technology Integration & Adaptability – Effectively uses and adapts to evolving tools, platforms, and emerging technologies.

●       Career & Workforce Alignment – Integrates employability skills, credentials, and work-based learning connections into instruction.

●       Collaboration & Partnership Orientation – Builds strong relationships with colleagues, counselors, and industry partners to enhance student opportunities.

●       Reflective & Continuous Learner – Regularly reflects on practice, uses data to improve instruction, and stays current in both pedagogy and technology.

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK: Not Eligible

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

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.

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.

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.

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.