Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher

Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

The American International School of Johannesburg is seeking a dedicated Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher who embodies a commitment to educational excellence and inclusivity. The selected candidate will develop and deliver a dynamic curriculum designed to inspire critical thinking and cultural awareness among students, fostering a supportive learning environment that embraces diversity and prepares students for global citizenship.

Qualifications

• Experienced in teaching Language Arts or Social Studies at the secondary level.
• Strong ability in collaborative and inquiry-based learning methodologies.
• Commitment to community relationship building and inclusion in the learning environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver integrated instruction across history, geography, civics, economics, literature, writing, and language arts.
• Develop an engaging, standards-aligned curriculum that fosters critical thinking and communication.
• Create an inclusive learning environment empowering students as globally connected citizens.

Skills

Curriculum Design

Collaborative Planning

Inquiry-Based Learning

Student Agency

Connected Learning Design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Language Arts or Social Sciences

Secondary license or certification for teaching Social Studies/Language Arts

Job description

Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher

Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher

CAMPUS: Johannesburg Campus
SUPERVISOR: Middle School Principal
START DATE: 01 August 2025
POSTING DATE: 04 July 2025
CLOSING DATE: 11 July 2025

Inspire Learning to Build Our Better World.

At the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ), we are committed to providing an exceptional education that empowers global citizens to fulfill their future purpose. Our vision is to inspire learning to build a better world. We seek a dedicated and passionate professional who aligns with our commitment to excellence and believes in the transformative power of education. Every team member is crucial in creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment. At AISJ, we value every employee as a learner and expect them to embody and support the AISJ Portrait of Learner (Resilience, Mindful, Thinker, Globally Connected, Curious, Contributor) through their work. We are dedicated to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our school community.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is a full-time assignment teaching Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts. The Middle School Social Studies and Language Arts Teacher is responsible for delivering integrated instruction across the disciplines of history, geography, civics, economics, literature, writing, and language arts. This position develops an engaging, standards-aligned curriculum that fosters students’ critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness. The teacher creates an inclusive learning environment that empowers students to become knowledgeable, globally connected citizens. Our Social Studies program the C-3 Framework Summary of standards (Grades 6-8) and our Language Arts program uses the Common Core Curriculum Standards. The Middle School operates on an 8-period rotating block schedule, and teachers are assigned to teach 6 of 8 blocks. Each Middle School Teacher is also responsible for an Advisory cohort, which is integral to the Middle School experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Secondary license or certification for teaching Social Studies/Language Arts
• Bachelor or higher Language Arts (or similar) or Social Sciences
• Coaching, service learning, and club facilitation

Teacher Competencies

Planning for Learning

• Curriculum Design: Creates personalized, challenging learning sequences that build on prior knowledge while ensuring knowledge transfer and regular reflection opportunities.
• Collaborative Planning: Partners across disciplines and specialties to create cohesive learning experiencesthat connect global contexts while anticipating student needs.
• Inquiry-Based Learning: Designs flexible conceptual units that honor student choice, pace, and multiple pathways to demonstrate understanding.
• Student Agency & Critical Thinking Creates self-directed learners who think critically, set goals, and drive their own learning journey.
• Research-Based Instructional Excellence Implements proven teaching strategies that adapt to individual student needs through continuous assessment and adjustment.
• Connected Learning Design Weaves together global perspectives, real-world applications, and cross-disciplinary connections to create meaningful learning experiences.
• Collaborative Leadership Builds a learning community where students develop leadership skills through structured collaboration and personalized engagement.

Reflecting as Practitioners

• Student Agency: Builds student capacity for self-assessment through modeling, tools, and targeted feedback that drives individual growth.
• Data-Informed Practice: Analyzes student achievement data to align curriculum, refine teaching strategies, and measure instructional effectiveness.
• Professional Growth: Engages in collaborative reflection and data analysis with colleagues to continuously improve teaching practices and student outcomes.

Promoting Relationships, Community, & Culture

• Builds strong community-school partnerships and actively participates in community initiatives to enrich the learning environment.
• Adapts teaching practices by staying informed of educational and societal changes while understanding each learner’s unique cultural background, learning style, and needs.
• Creates an inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity, challenges stereotypes, and connects learning to students’ real-world experiences and cultural contexts.
• Fosters a growth mindset by encouraging calculated risk-taking and developing students’ autonomy, personal responsibility, and ownership of learning.

All community members are expected to be committed to the AISJ Community Principles.

• We are better when we act together.
• Our differences make us stronger.
• Every team needs individuals.
• Every individual needs a team.

Work Hours: Monday through Friday – 188 (one hundred and eighty-eight) days per school year

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please complete the electronic form [Click here]. Information captured will be securely stored and used for a reference check on the candidate’s compatibility. AISJ reserves the right to appoint the strongest candidate before the closing date if required.

SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION
AISJ maintains robust child protection policies to ensure a safe, secure, and caring environment for our students. All employees must undergo criminal background checks, attend annual training, and sign a safeguarding agreement.

PRIVACY
By submitting your CV, you consent to AISJ processing your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy, accessible at AISJ Privacy Policy, and under the Protection of Personal Information Act of 2013.