Lower School Teacher - German for Native Speakers and School Program Coordinator

Christ Church Episcopal School; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits commensurate with experience

Job summary

Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville seeks an exceptional educator to teach German to international elementary students from K5 through 4th grade, and to manage the German School Program. This role includes serving as a liaison among CCES, German families, BMW, and the Bavarian school system to support reintegration into Germany.

The ideal candidate will implement the Bavarian curriculum, develop weekly lesson plans, monitor student progress, and foster intercultural understanding within

Qualifications

• Proven ability to teach German to elementary students and assess readiness.
• Experience coordinating international programs and Bavarian curriculum.
• Excellent communication with families and schools abroad.
• Willingness to support reintegration into German schools.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate applicants and advise families on German program placement.
• Coordinate admissions for German families and participate in committees.
• Develop Stoffverteilungsplan aligning Bavarian curriculum with CCES year.
• Teach German per Bavarian curriculum and assess student progress.
• Prepare final evaluations for students returning to Germany.
• Maintain relationships with German families and Bavarian schools.
• Oversee Bavarian-related learning materials and resources.
• Collaborate with staff to align curricula across divisions.

Skills

German language instruction

Curriculum alignment

Program coordination

Community liaison

Cross-cultural communication

Education

1st State Exam in German

2nd State Exam; teaching experience preferred

Job description

CCES is seeking an exceptional candidate to teach German to international elementary-aged students from Germany in grades Primer (K5) through 4th as part of the Lower School program for the 2027-2028 school year. The ideal candidate will be committed to supporting the academic and personal well-being of German students and their families while fostering an appreciation for international perspectives throughout the CCES community. In addition to teaching, this individual will manage the German School Program and serve as a liaison among CCES departments, German families, and the broader German community, BMW, and the Bavarian school system, with a particular focus on supporting students' smooth reintegration into the Bavarian school system. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong communication, collaboration, cultural awareness, and a commitment to creating a welcoming and enriching experience for international students and families.

General Responsibilities

Lower School Program

• Evaluate prospective and current students, both in-person and virtually, and advise families and CCES regarding appropriate placement
• Support the Admissions Department in processing applications for German families and participate in Admissions Committee meetings
• Assess applicants to the German Program who do not come from the German school system to determine appropriate placement and readiness
• Communicate the scheduling needs of the German Lower School Program to appropriate school representatives and collaborate to ensure an effective schedule
• Develop and maintain a Stoffverteilungsplan that aligns the Bavarian curriculum with the CCES school year and develop weekly lesson plans accordingly
• Teach all eligible German students in accordance with the Bavarian curriculum, including German language instruction and one period of German mathematics each week
• Prepare detailed student evaluations, including progress reports and report cards, twice annually using the schedule and format of German schools
• Prepare final evaluations for students returning to Germany, incorporating input from classroom teachers and specialists to support successful transition to their receiving schools
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with students and families through parent group meetings, meetings with parent representatives, and individual parent conferences
• Support German families and students throughout the overall integration process and provide guidance and assistance with reintegration into German schools, including mediation when necessary
• Maintain partnerships and regular communication with schools in Germany and follow up on student reintegration processes
• Maintain current knowledge of developments in the Bavarian school system and communicate relevant information to CCES faculty and staff
• Introduce CCES teachers to the Bavarian school system and its academic expectations and practices
• Collaborate with classroom teachers, specialists, and Lower School administration to support students' academic, social, and therapeutic needs
• Select and obtain appropriate learning materials approved by the Bavarian Ministry of Education
• Monitor and verify the academic level and quality of the German Lower School Program
• Maintain accurate student files and organize program-related administrative materials
• Participate fully in Lower School responsibilities, including faculty meetings, morning, lunch, or recess duty, and carpool as required.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within and across divisions to ensure vertical alignment of curricula to effectively support student transition
• Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning through active participation in professional development
• Perform other duties as assigned by the administration in accordance with the school's policies, procedures, and practices

School Program Coordinator

• Serve as an additional liaison between BMW, international families, and CCES
• Serve as a primary resource and advisor for academic concerns related to BMW German families
• Evaluate the academic files of incoming BMW families across all divisions, including Middle School and Upper School, and provide recommendations regarding placement and academic pathways
• Collaborate closely with the Admissions Department regarding the enrollment and placement of BMW families
• Advise German families regarding academic pathways and future educational and career opportunities for their children, including options within the Middle School and Upper School
• Support BMW families in identifying appropriate educational options when CCES may not be the best fit and facilitate connections with other schools or programs as needed
• Serve as an advisor and resource to the German team and school leadership regarding the academic needs and experiences of German students and families
• Plan and support team-building and collaboration among members of the German team
• Develop and maintain strong personal and professional relationships with school leadership in Germany, the Bavarian Ministry of Culture and Education, and BMW HR
• Expand internationalism throughout CCES by developing and supporting opportunities such as student exchange programs, including German exchange opportunities in the Upper School
• Assist with the recruitment and selection process for new German Program faculty members
• Oversee academic recommendations (Schulempfehlungen for German students returning to or continuing their education in Germany)
• Serve as a resource and advocate for German students during the reintegration process and communicate with appropriate departments or schools in Germany when challenges arise
• Organize and maintain original educational materials from Germany, including notebooks, teaching materials, tests and books
• Maintain current knowledge of academic developments and educational practices in Germany, with particular emphasis on the Bavarian school system, and communicate relevant information to CCES leadership and faculty

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of content, learning theory, and effective instructional practices
• Expertise in assessment and use of data to inform instruction
• Demonstrate strong instructional technology skills that effectively integrate age-appropriate digital tools and platforms to enhance learning and engagement
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing
• Excellent collaboration skills; tact in dealing with parents, faculty, staff and students
• Ability to exercise good judgment and comply with school standards
• Possess energy, intrinsic motivation, empathy, and flexibility
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to think creatively and develop innovative, sometimes out-of-the-box solutions
• Commitment to modelling the mission and values of Christ Church Episcopal School and its Episcopal Identity
• Desire to engage in the life and culture of the school, including community events, after-school activities, and programs such as clubs, performing groups, or athletic teams

Education and/or Experience

• Profound knowledge of the Bavarian curriculum in German and knowledge of the Bavarian curriculum in math/science and foreign languages for all school types
• Profound knowledge of the Bavarian school system
• 1st State's Exam with German as a native language as one of the studied subjects
• 2nd State's Exam and several years of teaching experience preferred

Applications

• This is a full-time, 10-month teaching position.
• Multi-year availability preferred. Please note that CCES is not a "Deutsche Auslandsschule", so a leave of absence from a "Beamtenstatus" might not be granted in Germany.
• The school will conduct interviews with finalists on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
• The position offers a competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and expertise.

All offers of employment at Christ Church Episcopal School are contingent upon the successful completion of required pre-employment background checks.