Instructional Coach | Curriculum Coordinator Leadership Role

About Hypha

Hypha International School is located within the beautiful Sintra Natural Park, providing an education experience that deeply engages students with nature. Our comprehensive approach encourages children to develop into innovative thinkers and compassionate leaders who aspire to make a positive impact on the world.

As we continue to expand, we are in search of a visionary educator and leader to assume the role of Instructional Coach and Curriculum Coordinator. The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of mastery learning, effective practices in project-based learning (PBL), and a strong dedication to achieving academic excellence. This leadership role is crucial for enhancing teaching skills and ensuring that Hypha's curriculum is both innovative and solid across all grade levels.

Who You Are

You are an experienced educator, coach, and leader with a strong command of core subjects (English, Math, Science), who believes in an educational framework that equips students not only for success but also for leadership roles. You think systematically, enabling you to support individual teacher development while also managing a curriculum that connects with real-world contexts.

This role is particularly suitable for emerging school leaders, vice principals, assistant heads, or instructional leaders who are eager to extend their influence while progressing toward comprehensive school leadership.

At Hypha, the Instructional Coach and Curriculum Coordinator works closely with the leadership team, gaining valuable experience in school development beyond the classroom. You will have significant exposure to:

· School-wide curriculum development and strategic planning, ensuring alignment with accreditation and long-term program growth

· Teacher leadership and adult learning, enhancing coaching capacity, trust, and instructional excellence throughout the school

· Systems-level thinking, balancing innovation with the necessary rigor, structure, and sustainability in a developing educational environment

· Leadership in educational change, contributing to the growth of an expanding international school from the ground up

This role empowers you to lead through pedagogy, fostering excellence in teaching and learning.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Instructional Coaching and Teacher Mentoring

• Offer personalized and group coaching to improve instructional practices among teachers.

• Provide constructive, non-evaluative feedback that aligns with PBLWorks’ Gold Standard PBL and Hypha’s educational philosophy.

• Model or co-teach lessons as needed and facilitate professional development within the classroom.

• Assist with subject-specific pedagogy in English, Math, and Science to ensure depth of understanding, academic rigor, and real-world relevance.

2. Project-Based Learning and Pedagogical Leadership

• Collaborate in developing interdisciplinary PBL units that are standards-aligned, student-centered, and based on real-world inquiry.

• Facilitate tuning protocols, feedback sessions, and planning cycles with teaching teams.

• Guide the implementation of PBL teaching practices across all grade levels, including scaffolding inquiry, reflection, critique, and collaboration.

• Ensure that outdoor learning is purposefully integrated into PBL units, core subject instruction, and assessment practices, rather than treated as an "add-on."

• Lead the design of sustainability-focused learning experiences that address real-world environmental, social, and ethical challenges.

3. Curriculum Coordination and Alignment

• Oversee the development, coherence, and vertical alignment of Hypha’s curriculum from pre-primary to primary levels.

• Ensure a balanced and integrated program of study that meets accreditation requirements and internal standards while promoting authentic, experiential, and project-based exploration.

• Maintain and update scope and sequence documents, curriculum maps, and assessment plans.

• Conduct regular evaluations of student work and learning data to encourage continuous improvement.

• Stay informed about curriculum innovations, research, and PBL trends to guide school-wide strategies.

4. Professional Learning and School Culture

• Design and offer impactful professional development sessions and professional learning communities (PLCs).

• Foster a culture of inquiry, equity, and collaboration among staff.

• Assist in the onboarding and mentoring of new teachers.

• Contribute to school-wide strategic planning and innovation initiatives.

5. Champion a Culture of Inquiry, Wellbeing, and Equity

• Advocate for learner-centered, inclusive practices that prioritize student voice, wellbeing, and agency.

• Support teachers in using data to inform instruction, reflection, and responsive support.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education and qualified teacher status (or equivalent certification)

• At least 5 years of teaching experience in primary education (Year 1–6)

• Extensive expertise in at least two core subjects (English, Math, Science); ability to support all three

• Demonstrated success in designing and leading PBL units

• Prior experience as an instructional coach, mentor, team leader, or curriculum coordinator

• Strong understanding of child development, formative assessment, differentiation, and personalized instruction

• Training with PBLWorks or similar high-quality PBL organizations is highly desirable

• Excellent interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication abilities

• Experience managing curriculum documents, standards alignment, and instructional planning tools

What We Offer

• A collaborative, mission-driven team of educators

• Professional development tailored to support your growth as a coach and leader

• Daily immersion in one of Europe’s most stunning natural environments

• Competitive salary, relocation assistance, and benefits