Classroom Teacher (Grade 3-5)

Hong Kong International School; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Hong Kong International School (HKIS) invites applications for a full-time teaching position. The role focuses on in-depth knowledge of content, curriculum outcomes, and differentiated instruction for diverse learners.

The teacher collaborates with colleagues to develop learning targets, plan units, assess student work, and provide timely feedback within an American-style program. Applicants should have a Bachelor's degree in relevant subject, a teaching certification, and several years of

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject area.
• Masters Degree preferred.
• Qualified Teacher Certification.
• Minimum 5 years of full-time teaching experience in the grade level or subject area.
• Experience in an international school and familiarity with American educational system preferred.
• Experience teaching ESL students preferred.
• Experience creating units of work using backward design strategies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design coherent instruction aligned with HKIS curriculum outcomes and big ideas.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop learning targets and instructional goals that align with unit plans.
• Plan, revise and document units with developmentally appropriate and differentiated learning experiences.
• Gather data through assessments and analyze student work to inform curriculum development.
• Deliver developmentally appropriate, differentiated learning experiences and activities.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to students and families.
• Maintain safe classroom environments and manage routines effectively.
• Collaborate on common assessments, rubrics, and data analysis to improve instruction.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject area

Masters Degree preferred

Qualified Teacher Certification

Experience collaborating with a large team of teachers

Excellent knowledge of the subject content and pedagogy

Strong organizational and time management skills

Adept at using technology

Effective communicator; articulate with diverse community

Knowledge of assessments and differentiated learning techniques

Job description

Use in-depth knowledge of content and HKIS curriculum outcomes, students, pedagogy and resources to design coherent instruction.

Collaborate with colleagues in the development of learning targets and instructional goals that align with the curriculum and “big ideas” of the unit and represent a range of types (e.g. factual, conceptual, reasoning).

Plan, revise, document and follow units of work that provide developmentally appropriate and differentiated learning experiences.

Gather data through assessments, analyze and review student work to inform the ongoing development of a clear, recursive, rigorous, relevant and rich curriculum.

Instructional Strategies

Deliver developmentally appropriate and varied learning experiences and activities for students that align with learning outcomes/needs, provide opportunities for higher level thinking, anticipate student misconceptions, and are differentiated.

Frame the learning for students by communicating how the lesson aligns with the unit’s enduring understandings, essential questions and goals.

Use a variety of questioning and discussion techniques that are effective and align to content and instructional goals to engage students in learning, inquiry, problem solving, and high levels of thinking.

Provide differentiated support and instruction to ensure that all students develop understanding of content and apply skills.

Provide timely and constructive feedback to students.

Ensure that pacing and instructional techniques are flexible, appropriate and responsive to the learning needs of the students, assessment data, and student feedback.

Promote a growth mindset, students’ willingness to take risks with their learning and use mistakes as learning opportunities.

Explicitly teach and models how to self‑reflect, self‑assess and use feedback; empower students to communicate about their own process of learning.

Classroom Management

Create a safe learning environment where learning is accessible to all students and a culture of learning is established

Organize classroom spaces, equipment and resources to align with instructional goals and learning activities and ensure that student materials are conducive to student learning

Engage students productively in small group or independent work; integrate the teaching of constructive, pro‑social behaviors into regular instruction.

Establish and manage developmentally appropriate classroom procedures, daily routines, and standards of conduct and provide consistent and appropriate discipline.

Orchestrate smooth transitions and continuity of momentum, ensuring that non‑instructional tasks minimize loss of instructional time.

Organize, adapt and maintain student learning data and resources to inform instructional practice.

Pastoral Care:

Respond to students’ emotional and social needs; establish a culture of respect and positive relationships.

Model interpersonal skills, respectful relationships, problem‑solving, and positive risk‑taking, in order to provide a safe learning environment.

Assessment

Evaluate student learning and understanding through a variety of high quality, developmentally appropriate formative and summative assessments (including performance based tasks) aligned to UbD Stage 1 elements (e.g. articulated standards, enduring understandings, knowledge and skills).

Provide students with specific assessment criteria with appropriate use of exemplars during instruction.

Ensure that feedback to students includes regular peer and self‑assessments using set criteria to assess their own and their peers’ work to inform improvement.

Models ways for students to reflect and constructively use feedback from the teacher and/or peers to inform their learning.

Use a system to collect and organize a variety of assessment data

Participate in reflective conversations about common assessments and analysis of data; use assessment data and analysis to inform instruction and planning.

Provide regular feedback to students and parents in a timely manner; include specific and detailed comments, examples of student performance, information about completed and/or missing assignments and attainment of learning goals and areas for improvement.

Provide timely, clear and appropriate feedback on student performance and progress to parents so that parents can effectively support their child’s learning and development.

Collaborate with colleagues on the planning and writing of common assessments, criteria/rubrics, observational checklists and exemplars.

Professional Responsibilities

Consistently demonstrate respect for and protection of boundaries and the rights and confidentiality of others.

Respect and comply with school, division and/or department policies and practices, including those related to digital etiquette and responsible use of technology and information.

Proactively promote the success of colleagues and students by collaborating with colleagues in the sharing and exchange of ideas, information, resources and support.

Work constructively with others to define problems and goals generate alternatives and evaluate, select and implement solutions; compromise by adjusting individual desires for the greater good of the team and/or School.

Assume personal responsibility for and contribute to a positive and safe climate and culture.

Contribute to the School and HKIS community by participating in one or more student activities outside of the classroom; offer after school activities, coach, support musical or dramatic performances, supervise dances or sports activities in order to provide students with a variety of opportunities to widen their interests and develop alternate means of self‑expression.

Undertake other duties as required for the welfare of students, to strengthen the team and improve the overall operation of the School.

Teams and Committees:

Attend and actively participate in grade level and curriculum team, divisional and all‑school meetings

Collaborate with colleagues and use a variety of protocols to examine assessment data and student work.

Goals:

Establish specific, measurable individual goals each year and contribute to the development of team goals that support divisional and Schoolwide goals.

Collect and review data related to these goals in order to improve planning and preparation, instruction, management, assessment, and the fulfilment of professional responsibilities.

Professional Development:

Seek opportunities to enhance professional knowledge and pedagogical skills (e.g. planning & preparation, management, instructional and assessment strategies) to continually grow and develop professionally.

Reflect on (and provide to others) constructive feedback to inform personal and professional growth.

Division or Job Specific Responsibilities

UP: Attend and actively participate in scheduled overnight camps and excursions with your assigned class as part of the Grade-level program.

Other

Undertake other duties and functions as required that will impact and strengthen the contributions of the department and overall operations of the school.

Minimum requirements and qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant subject area, Masters Degree preferred

Qualified Teacher Certification

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of full time teaching in the grade level or subject area

Successful experience in working with students in the respective age group

Previous experience in an international school and familiarity with American educational system preferred

Experience teaching ESL students preferred

Experience in creating units of work using ‘backward design’ strategies preferred

Required skills:

Experience collaborating with a large team of teachers preferred

Excellent knowledge of the subject content and pedagogy

Excellent knowledge of the developmental needs of students in the respective age group

Knowledge of and experience in using a variety of assessments and applying differentiated learning techniques

Strong grounding in knowledge about teaching and learning

Respects teachers as professionals and as adult learners

Effective communicator; ability to communicate articulately (verbal and written) with a diverse community

Adept at using technology

Strong organizational and time management skills

Child Protection Statement:

At HKIS, each child’s welfare is paramount. We act to ensure that our students enjoy the right to be protected from harm and exploitation and have their welfare safeguarded.

Hong Kong International School (HKIS) offers a coeducational program for students from Pre-K to 12 (age 4-18), providing an American-style curriculum to US and international students and with English as the language of instruction. As a Christian school with an international outlook, HKIS is sensitive to the needs of its culturally and religiously diverse community of more than 40 nationalities represented among over 3,000 students.

Hong Kong International School (HKIS) offers a coeducational program for students from Pre-K to 12 (age 4-18), providing an American-style curriculum to US and international students and with English as the language of instruction. As a Christian school with an international outlook, HKIS is sensitive to the needs of its culturally and religiously diverse community of more than 40 nationalities represented among over 3,000 students.