Primary Homeroom Teacher

Location

Switzerland | United Kingdom

Job description

Primary School Teachers at ICS are responsible for creating a rich, inquiry-based environment for our younger students, who are learning to thrive away from family in a nurturing school community. Learning through experience and personal growth through friendships and social connections are crucial in those early years. At ICS, we provide inclusive learning based on individual developmental needs and our teachers need to have a good understanding of various learning challenges. The Teacher creates a supportive classroom community and designs learning activities to develop the understanding, skills, attitudes, and knowledge identified in the curriculum. Establishing warm but professional relationships with the parents and working closely with colleagues from other departments is also an important part of our Primary School Teachers’ commitment to ICS. 

Job Summary

The Primary Homeroom Teacher is responsible for creating a rich, inquiry-based learning environment that promotes student learning and optimum personal growth, based on individual developmental needs. He or she establishes an effective classroom community and designs learning activities to develop the understanding, skills, attitudes and knowledge identified in the curriculum. The Homeroom Teacher establishes good relationships with parents and works closely with colleagues to develop an efficient academic and pastoral team.

Specific Responsibilities

Learning and Teaching

• Create learning spaces that make students feel physically safe and where they can access learning materials, make choices and take risks
• Use a range of appropriate strategies and groupings for teaching and learning and classroom management
• Plan for authentic transdisciplinary inquiry-based learning experiences which include; play, problem-based learning, collaboration, experimentation, and explicit teaching
• Create opportunities for agency in the classroom by involving students in creating shared routines, and making decisions about what, why and how they learn
• Provide opportunities for students to develop IT knowledge and skills, and to use technology to communicate, solve problems and be creative
• Monitor, document, measure and report on each child’s progress as part of the development of knowledge, conceptual understanding and skills
• Share learning with the wider community through face-to-face and digital communication (e-portfolios, newsletters)
• Support effective collaboration by planning and reflecting on co-designed units with the teaching team, participating in meaningful dialogues, and setting team goals in line with the ICS strategic plan
• Celebrate the cultural diversity of the school population and explore links with home countries and home languages

Learning Community

• Support the ‘Culture of Care’ by developing a positive prosocial learning environment where all students feel welcomed, significant and emotionally safe
• Implement strategies to ensure the development of children’s cognitive, emotional and social needs
• Recognise student's strengths and interests, seeking appropriate support from the Student Support Team to respond to student needs
• Develop strong collegial relationships within the teaching team, including Specialists, Teaching Assistants and Homeroom teachers, to build a team environment that supports students’ learning
• Develop and maintain positive partnerships with families
• Be up to date with Safeguarding processes and procedures
• Contribute to the extracurricular programme.With the Grade level team plan and organise field trip programmes
• Supervise and instruct the Teaching Assistant and ensure effective deployment of support in the classroom
• Liaise with Grade level team and the PYP coordinator to ensure that programme requirements are met
• Inform the Deputy Principal or Principal about issues of concern related to student welfare, achievement and behaviour
• Attend Student-Parent-Teacher and Student-led conferences and inform parents about their child’s progress

Professional development

• Keep up to date with IBO philosophy and curriculum development and implement change in keeping with the school vision and strategic focus
• Be involved in professional learning activities that support the school and systematic priorities such as working groups, study groups
• Engage in the school's professional growth process

The successful candidate will have:

• Current classroom teacher qualification
• BA / BSc/BEd or equivalent university degree
• Native English speaker is an advantage
• Previous teaching experience within the last 2 years
• Experience in an international school environment advantageous
• PYP knowledge preferred
• Experience with/understanding of Making Thinking Visible, PBL, Responsive Classrooms (Morning Meetings) Fontas and Pinnell baseline assessment system, Concept Based Inquiry Mathematics and/or Seesaw advantageous
• Experience in teaching learners with diverse needs
• Strong classroom management skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Reflective and growth mindset
• Strong IT skills
• The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the developmental needs of children of 5 -11 years
• Strong social and emotional, self-management and communication skills
• Documented record of excellence in teaching
• Collaboration, teamwork and active participation in school life

Soft Skills

• Adaptive
• Imaginative
• Ambitious
• Collaborative
• Student-centred
• Motivated
• Research focused
• Confident Communicator
• Resilient
• Empathetic
• Mission-driven

Terms and Conditions

The initial contract is for three years and is renewable. The generous salary and range of benefits will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate, with the overall package reflecting the importance of the position.

Applications should be addressed to:

Interested candidates should apply via our website with a full letter of application addressed to Ms. Lucy M. Gowdie, Head of School, a statement of personal educational philosophy, a detailed resume/curriculum vitae, and a list of three referees (name & email address). The Head of School reserves the right to apply directly to the writers of open testimonials for confidential statements.

Applications should be addressed in PDF format to:

Ms. Lucy Gowdie,

Head of School

We are looking forward to receiving your online application.

Job tags

Salary