Upper Primary Classroom Teacher (Grade 3-5)

In alignment with the mission and vision of HKIS, and to support HKIS Student Learning Results alongside grade-level and subject-specific expectations, the teacher will perform the following general and specific duties across various domains: Planning and Preparation, Instructional Strategies, Management, Assessment, and Professional Responsibilities.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Planning and Preparation

● Leverage a thorough understanding of subject matter and HKIS curriculum outcomes, in conjunction with knowledge of students, teaching methods, and resources, to design coherent instructional plans.

● Collaborate with colleagues to set learning objectives and instructional goals that align with the curriculum, encompassing essential concepts of the unit and various types (e.g., factual, conceptual, reasoning).

● Create, revise, document, and implement units of study that provide developmentally appropriate and differentiated learning experiences.

● Gather data through assessments and evaluate student work to continually refine a clear, recursive, rigorous, relevant, and enriching curriculum.

Instructional Strategies

● Deliver developmentally appropriate and varied learning experiences and activities that meet students' needs and learning outcomes, promoting higher-level thinking, anticipating misconceptions, and allowing for differentiation.

● Connect each lesson to the unit’s enduring understandings, essential questions, and objectives to frame the learning experience.

● Use diverse questioning and discussion techniques that align with content and instructional goals to engage students in learning, inquiry, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking.

● Provide differentiated support and instruction to ensure all students comprehend content and acquire necessary skills.

● Offer timely and constructive feedback to students.

● Maintain flexible pacing and instructional approaches that respond to students’ learning needs, assessment data, and student input.

● Encourage a growth mindset, motivating students to take risks in their learning and view mistakes as opportunities for development.

● Explicitly teach and model self-reflection, self-assessment, and the effective use of feedback, empowering students to express their learning processes.

Classroom Management

● Create a safe and accessible learning environment for all students and nurture a culture of learning.

● Organize classroom settings, equipment, and materials in alignment with instructional goals and learning activities to enhance student engagement.

● Facilitate productive student engagement in small group or independent work while integrating the teaching of positive social behaviors into regular instruction.

● Establish and maintain age-appropriate classroom procedures, routines, and standards of conduct, providing consistent and appropriate discipline.

● Ensure smooth transitions and maintain instructional momentum, minimizing non-instructional tasks to protect teaching time.

● Organize, adapt, and manage student learning data and resources to inform teaching practices.

Pastoral Care

● Address students’ emotional and social needs, promoting a culture of respect and positive relationships.

● Exhibit strong interpersonal skills, build respectful relationships, solve problems effectively, and take positive risks to create a secure learning environment.

Assessment

● Evaluate student learning and understanding through diverse, high-quality, developmentally appropriate formative and summative assessments (including performance-based tasks) that align with UbD Stage 1 elements (e.g., articulated standards, enduring understandings, knowledge, and skills).

● Provide students with clear assessment criteria and suitable exemplars during lessons.

● Ensure feedback mechanisms include regular peer and self-assessments, utilizing established criteria to evaluate their own and peers’ work to guide improvements.

● Demonstrate strategies for students to reflect on and constructively use feedback from teachers and peers to enhance their learning.

● Implement a system to collect and organize various assessment data.

● Participate in reflective discussions concerning common assessments and data analysis, using insights to inform instructional planning.

● Provide timely feedback to students and parents, including specific, detailed comments, examples of student performance, information on completed or missing assignments, and areas for improvement.

● Offer prompt, clear updates on student progress to parents, enabling them to effectively support their child's educational journey.

● Collaborate with colleagues in planning and creating common assessments, rubrics, observational checklists, and exemplars.

Professional Responsibilities

● Consistently show respect for and maintain the confidentiality of others' boundaries and rights.

● Follow school, division, and/or department policies and practices, including those related to digital etiquette and responsible technology use.

● Actively support the success of colleagues and students by sharing ideas, information, resources, and support.

● Work collaboratively to identify challenges and goals, generate alternatives, and assess, select, and apply solutions, prioritizing the team and school’s collective benefit.

● Take personal responsibility for fostering a positive and safe climate and culture.

● Engage with the School and HKIS community by participating in one or more extracurricular activities; offer after-school activities, coaching, support for musical or dramatic events, and supervision of dances or sports to provide students with diverse opportunities for self-expression.

● Perform additional duties as necessary to enhance departmental contributions and support the overall functioning of the school.

Teams and Committees

● Attend and actively participate in grade-level and curriculum team meetings, as well as divisional and all-school gatherings.

● Collaborate with colleagues and employ various protocols to analyze assessment data and student work.

Goals

● Establish specific, measurable individual goals each year and contribute to team goals that align with divisional and school-wide objectives.

● Collect and evaluate data related to these goals to improve planning, preparation, instruction, management, assessment, and the fulfillment of professional responsibilities.

Professional Development

● Seek opportunities to expand professional knowledge and teaching skills (e.g., planning & preparation, management, instructional, and assessment strategies) for ongoing professional growth.

● Reflect on and provide constructive feedback to others to inform personal and professional development.

Division or Job Specific Responsibilities

LP: Supervise Teacher Assistants to ensure effective support for children and manage clerical tasks.

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

MS: Engage actively in the annual Programme of Extended Activities for Kids (PEAK) trips.

HS: Collaborate on curriculum development and common assessments within course teams. Participate in weekly department and collaborative meetings. Take part in the yearly off-campus learning experience - Interim Program.

Other

● Assume additional responsibilities as required to enhance departmental contributions and the overall operations of the school.

Minimum requirements and qualifications:

Education:

● Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area; Master’s Degree preferred.

● Qualified Teacher Certification.

Experience:

● Minimum of 5 years of full-time teaching experience at the relevant grade level or subject area.

● Demonstrated success in working with students within the appropriate age group.

● Prior experience in an international school and familiarity with the American educational system is preferred.

● Experience teaching ESL students is preferred.

● Experience in developing units of work using ‘backward design’ strategies is preferred.

Required Skills:

● Experience collaborating within a large team of teachers is preferred.

● Strong understanding of subject content and pedagogy.

● Comprehensive knowledge of the developmental needs of students in the relevant age group.

● Familiarity with a variety of assessments and differentiated learning techniques.

● Solid understanding of teaching and learning principles.

● Respect for teachers as professionals and adult learners.

● Effective communicator with the ability to articulate clearly (both verbally and in writing) with a diverse community.

● Proficient in technology use.

● Strong organizational and time management skills.

Child Protection Statement:

● At HKIS, the safety and welfare of each child is our top priority. We take steps to ensure that our students are protected from harm and exploitation, safeguarding their well-being.

We invite you to learn more about our school and discover career opportunities within our outstanding HKIS community at https://www.hkis.edu.hk/

We look forward to receiving your application!