Kindergarten Co-Teacher - Chinese Track

Position: Kindergarten Co-Teacher, (Mandarin-speaking), Chinese Track

Status: Full time / Exempt / Academic Year

Reports to: Early Childhood Director & Chinese Track Director  

Mission:

GIS is a collaborative community with a student-centered learning environment that encourages growth into bilingual world citizens, who strive for academic and creative excellence, embrace healthy and responsible behavior, and value independence and lifelong learning.

Position description:

Teachers seek to provide all students with learning opportunities in order to develop their students’ personality, learning abilities and consciousness for democratic values. Furthermore they provide a crucial part in developing the school. GIS values the professional and collegial contribution of all staff members and therefore encourages participation in professional development activities and staff meetings.

Areas of responsibilities

Teaching:

Lesson Plan Preparation

• Develop lesson plan based on PYP IB planner and communicate according to school policies
• Set high, but not uniform, standards and learning goals for all students
• Follow the curriculum guidelines established by the school, IB and suggestions from Chinese-speaking regions and U.S. teacher handbooks available at the school
• Enhance the curriculum with content from the student’s environment that are in agreement with the general philosophy of the school

Classroom Management:

• Follow the school’s Behavior Guidelines as outlined in the Parent Handbook
• Enforce your expectations consistently, yet with patience
• Reinforce positive behavior
• Offer a learning environment that is conducive to learning
• Offer a variety of age- and learner-appropriate tasks/activities
• Keep displays of student work samples in order and updated
• Follow all state licensing policies and protocols
• Keep records of student attendance and performance

Evaluating

• Determine performance and progress evaluation criteria/methods together with other staff members
• Apply methods appropriately
• Explain the system, criteria and timeframe of evaluation process to students as appropriate and parents
• Analyze the performance evaluation results with co-teachers and leadership as necessary
• Seek support as appropriate in challenging situations

Advising and Communication

• Communicate proactively with parents through established communication channels
• Participate in parent teacher conferences as needed in order to inform about learning progress and competencies as well as curriculum contents
• Advise students and parents about academic, personal or social life situations and refer families to other supporting institutions in order to guarantee success in school as appropriate in coordination with classroom teacher, the Chinese Track Director, and the Early Childhood Director
• Collaboration with Preschool and Kindergarten classes throughout the year
• Collaboration with all staff, specifically your teaching assistants and specials teachers.
• Work closely with First Grade Team to support a successful transition into Grade School

Participation in School Events and Professional Development

• Actively and positively represent the school
• Attend school functions as needed and actively participate in the planning and delivery of such
• Attend professional conferences, seminars, and workshops. 15 clock hours minimum per year, half of which in early childhood education or child development
• Attend school meetings and participate in school development process
• Share newly acquired knowledge with other staff members

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited College in a related major from a Chinese-speaking country or a Bachelor’s or AA/AS degree with a major in Early Childhood education or child development from an accredited U.S. institution
• Native or near-native fluency in Mandarin Chinese
• English language skills desirable
• Experience with the IB program a plus
• Minimum two years of teaching experience
• Should be familiar with a student-centered, inquiry-based classroom, willingness to collaborate with subject and classroom teachers for a holistic approach to learning
• Ability to pass a criminal background check
• Current certification in First Aid, CPR, Food Handler's License or willing to become certified prior to starting the school year
• Knowledge of second language acquisition and applicable teaching methods

Working Conditions:

• 40 hours per week in a classroom environment; academic year position
• Ability to work occasional evening and/or weekends with advanced notice (as related to program & admission events)
• Ability to lift 25 pounds

Email Resume to Martha Ortiz at martha.ortiz@gspdx.org