ART / DESIGN teachers: Be part of building a world class IB school
About This Role
Are you eager to contribute to the development of a premier IB school in one of Japan's most beautiful cities?
Kumamoto International School is an IB World School offering the DP and PYP programs.
We are currently seeking a qualified ART / DESIGN teacher for our MYP / DP programs for a one-year maternity cover (August 2026 - July 2027).
IDEAL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE EXPERIENCE TEACHING DP VISUAL ARTS.
The teacher should thrive in a collaborative, team-focused environment.
Selected candidates should possess a background in teaching at the Junior High and High School levels, along with a proven track record of fostering outstanding educational outcomes for their students.
Our mission is straightforward:
To establish ourselves as a world-class school while enjoying the journey together.
Through hard work and shared fun, we want everyone in our school community to cherish being part of our endeavor.
About Kumamoto International School
Kumamoto International School (KIS) is situated in Kumamoto, on Kyushu Island in western Japan. KIS holds accreditation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.
Our preschool division, Picasso, was launched in 2003, followed by our primary school division in 2018. Our junior high school commenced in April 2023, and we recently unveiled a larger campus and new building for our primary, junior high, and high school divisions, which opened in April 2025. As a growing institution, there are ample opportunities for advancement as we expand our divisions and grade levels.
Are we aligned?
You:
Are you interested in a smaller school where you can grow alongside it?
Are you unwavering in your dedication to achieving exceptional educational outcomes for students?
Do you desire to work in a school that aligns with your commitment to excellence?
Would you like to live and work in a smaller Japanese city (~750,000 residents) that offers a high quality of life and a significantly lower cost of living compared to major urban areas in Japan?
Do you appreciate the idea of walking or biking to work instead of enduring a crowded train commute?
Are you excited about the prospect of working at a developing school that provides numerous growth opportunities across various roles?
Do you aspire to be a “change agent” who can truly transform the lives of the children you teach?
Are you keen on receiving coaching to enhance your journey toward becoming the best educator you can be?
Do you enjoy being part of a collaborative team focused on delivering outstanding educational results for students?
Do you have respect for Japanese culture, values, traditions, and perspectives?
Do you wish to avoid feeling like just another cog in a large organization?
Us:
We are committed to continuous improvement as we strive to become the leading international school in Japan.
We believe that one exceptional teacher is equivalent to three average ones.
Our aim is to cultivate a close-knit team of professionals dedicated to achieving the best educational outcomes for our students.
We recognize that one outstanding teacher can leave a lasting impact on their students’ lives.
We provide unwavering support to our teachers, enabling them to excel in their roles.
We mentor our teachers to become master educators who transform the lives of their students.
Nestled around one of Japan's three most famous castles, Kumamoto offers an exceptional quality of life: clean air and water, beautiful weather (300+ sunny days per year), and easy access to abundant nature. Nature enthusiasts will thrive in Kumamoto. Additionally, the active volcano Mt. Aso is just an hour away, and Osaka is a short three-hour trip via a direct bullet train, making weekend getaways convenient. With numerous local farmers, fresh produce and meat are affordable and readily available—often at half the cost found in Tokyo!
Established 22 years ago with our preschool division, Picasso Preschool, we now employ 60 staff across all divisions. Our goal is to find and nurture outstanding staff to build a strong team. Our philosophy is simple: we hire kind, hard-working individuals, rather than trying to teach niceness and diligence. Many of our longest-serving Japanese staff members have been with us for 20 years, while several teachers have also been here for over a decade. Staff often socialize outside of work, and the school serves as a great foundation for acclimating to Japan and forming friendships. We prioritize staff cohesion and collaboration, ensuring that help is always available when needed. You will never feel like just another cog in a large machine. Furthermore, there are significant opportunities for teachers to advance their careers by acquiring new skills and taking on new responsibilities as the school expands.
To assist our teachers in adapting to life in Japan, we offer complimentary Japanese language classes on campus.
Our school maintains a vibrant, positive, high-energy atmosphere. Only those who wish to actively contribute to and be part of such an environment should apply! If this resonates with you, you will thrive here!
Website
School website: https://kumamotointer.jp/
https://www.instagram.com/kiskumamoto/
To Apply:
Please submit your application via this Google Forms link: https://forms.gle/33Y86fNQG12kCM5QA