Ideal Candidate Profile
Professional & Leadership Qualities
– Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting, positive relationships with students, colleagues, and families.
– Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to guide departmental curriculum development, assessment alignment, and pedagogical consistency across the MYP and DP.
– Strong understanding of English Language and Literature education, including literary analysis, language development, critical literacy, and effective communication.
– A collaborative mindset that supports mentoring, coaching, and inspiring faculty.
– A commitment to contributing to the school’s Strategic Plan and leading department-wide improvement initiatives.
– Ability to lead curriculum planning and ensure continuity and progression in students’ language and literary development across the IB continuum.
Student-Centered Qualities
– A genuine care for student well-being and the ability to understand and respond to diverse learner needs.
– A passion for literature, language, communication, and developing students’ ability to interpret, analyze, and critically evaluate a wide range of texts.
– An ability to inspire students to become confident readers, thoughtful writers, effective communicators, and independent thinkers.
– A commitment to fostering an inquiry-driven and supportive learning environment.
– Ability to support students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, recognizing different levels of English proficiency and providing appropriate learning opportunities.
– A commitment to developing students’ appreciation of different perspectives, cultures, identities, and forms of expression.
Values & Dispositions
– A strong sense of community engagement and a service-oriented mindset.
– High levels of integrity, empathy, professionalism, and a dedication to our core values of Community, Respect, and Understanding.
– A growth mindset demonstrated through ongoing professional learning and active participation in school-wide initiatives.
– A commitment to promoting academic integrity, intercultural understanding, and respectful communication.
Expectations of Teachers & HODs at HJIS
HJIS teachers and department leaders are reflective, collaborative, and committed to high-quality teaching and learning across the IB continuum. High-quality learning is defined as an inclusive, ongoing, agentic process that challenges and enables learners to acquire the skills to take responsible action both during their time at HJIS and beyond. Learning ignites curiosity and ensures the transformation of concepts into understanding through inquiry, problem solving, experimentation, and real-world application.
Curriculum & Instruction (English Language and Literature & HOD Focus)
MYP/DP English Language and Literature Teachers at HJIS:
- Deliver MYP Language and Literature and DP English A: Language and Literature in accordance with IB standards and subject requirements.
- Develop students’ reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, and critical thinking skills through the study of literary and non-literary texts.
- Encourage students to explore how language, context, purpose, audience, and perspective influence the creation and interpretation of texts.
- Design inquiry-based learning experiences that develop students’ ability to analyze literary works, media, speeches, visual texts, and other forms of communication.
- Support students in developing effective academic writing, argumentation, textual analysis, and communication skills.
- Prepare students for MYP and DP assessments, including the DP Individual Oral (IO), Higher Level Essay (HLE), Paper 1, and Paper 2, in accordance with IB requirements.
- Support students in developing independent reading habits, thoughtful interpretation, and the ability to engage critically with diverse perspectives.
- Ensure appropriate differentiation and support for students with varying levels of English proficiency.
- Collaborate with other departments to promote literacy, academic writing, and effective communication across subject areas.
Department Leadership Responsibilities (HOD)
- Lead departmental curriculum planning, development, review, and improvement across the MYP and DP.
- Ensure curriculum alignment and progression between MYP Language and Literature and DP English A: Language and Literature.
- Mentor and support English teachers across the IB continuum.
- Ensure departmental alignment with IB standards, assessment requirements, and whole-school initiatives.
- Coordinate assessment moderation and ensure consistency in assessment, feedback, and reporting practices.
- Support the development of effective literacy strategies and academic writing practices across the school.
- Monitor student progress and support the department’s data-driven approach to teaching and learning.
- Facilitate department meetings and communicate departmental priorities, needs, and developments to school leadership.
- Promote professional learning, collaborative planning, and the sharing of effective teaching practices.
- Support the development and maintenance of appropriate literary resources, teaching materials, and departmental learning resources.
IB Teaching Principles and Practices
HJIS teachers uphold pedagogy that is:
- Inquiry-based.
- Concept-focused.
- Situated in local and global contexts.
- Collaborative and team-oriented.
- Aligned with formative and summative assessment data.
- Grounded in critical thinking, reflection, communication, and authentic engagement with texts.
Differentiation Expectations
Teachers differentiate instruction by:
- Affirming student identity and building confidence in reading, writing, and communication.
- Connecting learning to students’ prior knowledge, linguistic backgrounds, and real-life experiences.
- Scaffolding language development, reading comprehension, textual analysis, and academic writing to ensure access for all learners.
- Providing a range of literary and non-literary texts that reflect diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences.
- Extending and enriching learning through advanced literary analysis, independent research, creative writing, and critical interpretation.
Possible Duties at HJIS (MYP/DP English Language and Literature Teacher & HOD)
Teachers typically teach an average of 20 periods per week, with teaching hours fluctuating between 18 and 23 periods depending on operational needs.
Teaching Responsibilities
- Teaching MYP Language and Literature and DP English A: Language and Literature.
- Planning and delivering lessons that develop students’ language, literary analysis, critical thinking, and communication skills.
- Providing office hours or additional academic support for students.
- Supporting DP students with assessment preparation, including the Individual Oral (IO), Higher Level Essay (HLE), and examination preparation.
- Supervising relevant IB projects, including Extended Essays in English or related fields.
Department Leadership Responsibilities (HOD)
- Leading departmental curriculum planning and review across the MYP and DP.
- Mentoring and supporting English teachers across the IB continuum.
- Ensuring departmental alignment with IB expectations and whole-school literacy initiatives.
- Coordinating assessment moderation and promoting consistency across classes.
- Supporting the school’s data-driven approach to teaching and learning.
- Facilitating department meetings and communicating with school leadership.
- Leading the development of departmental resources and shared teaching practices.
- Promoting reading culture, academic writing, and effective communication throughout the school.
Additional Duties
- Supervising IB projects, including the Extended Essay in English and related interdisciplinary topics.
- Supporting student clubs, literary activities, writing initiatives, debate, or public speaking opportunities.
- Participation in the Advisory system.
- Providing supervision during non-class times.
- Assisting with school events, field trips, and Expedition Weeks.
- Offering substitution coverage when needed.
Required and Preferred Qualifications
Teaching & Leadership Experience
- Minimum 3 years of teaching experience with secondary learners, preferably in English Language and Literature.
- Proven departmental leadership or coordination experience preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in English, English Literature, Education, Linguistics, or a related field.
- Teaching qualification or Bachelor’s degree in Education, or equivalent recognized teaching credentials.
- Preferred: Experience teaching IB MYP Language and Literature and/or DP English A: Language and Literature.
- Preferred: Experience with IB assessment requirements, particularly DP English A assessment components.
- Preferred: Experience teaching in international or multicultural school settings.
- Strong understanding of literary analysis, language and communication, academic writing, and inquiry-based learning.
Digital Literacy & Technology Skills
Applicants should be proficient with:
- Google Suite.
- Zoom.
- ManageBac.
- Interactive Smartboard technology.
- Apple products (MacBooks, iMacs).
- Digital literacy and online research tools.
- Digital platforms and resources for reading, writing, literary analysis, and collaborative learning.