Position Type: Learning Support Teacher
Contract Type: Full-time
School: Secondary
Campus: Tsukuba
Apply by: February 29, 2024
Job Start: August 1, 2024
The School
Tsukuba International School (つくば・インターナショナル・スクール, TIS) is an IB World School in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. We are a compassionate learning community, centered in nature, celebrating diversity, equality, and opportunity. Since our founding in 1992, we have been dedicated to promoting international-mindedness in the northern Kanto Region.
Tsukuba Science City, a place where critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are highly valued, provides the backdrop for our unique programmes. The school provides a warm and welcoming environment for students of all nationalities.
We offer a rich educational program for students from pre-kindergarten (age 3) to Grade 12 (age 18), with one class per grade. We have around 300 students in our school. We are authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB). IB World Schools share a common philosophy — a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit the International Baccalaureate website.
We are accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS). We are registered as an educational organization (学校法人 各種学校) by Ibaraki Prefecture. This is the standard category for international schools in Japan that are registered as schools in their local prefecture. (We are the only international school registered in Ibaraki Prefecture.) We are also a member of the East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) and the Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS).
The Position
We are currently seeking a full-time Learning Support Teacher to start on August 1, 2024.
This position will mostly involve working with Middle and High School students and teachers in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). However, the post holder will also be expected to support provision in the lower years when necessary.
Please note, this is NOT a learning support assistant (LSA) position. The teacher will be expected to have a high level of leadership, autonomy and self-direction, and will play a crucial role in developing learning support systems for students with additional learning needs (ALN), supporting and advising teachers on support strategies, and meeting with students and families.
The learning support teacher will share additional responsibilities (for example, pastoral care of homeroom students, organizing school events) with the other teachers at the school.
As TIS is an IB World School, learning support teachers with International Baccalaureate experience will be given preference, although qualified teachers with a strong understanding of the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and/or Diploma Programme will also be considered.
In addition to a valid teaching qualification, additional certification and/or extensive experience in special education, learning support, and/or administration of diagnostic assessments will be an advantage.
Please note, the position may be filled before the application deadline if suitable candidates are found, therefore we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications early to ensure that they are considered.
Pledge of Non-Discrimination
Tsukuba International School is an equal opportunity educator and employer. We will not discriminate against any student, prospective student, employee, or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, nationality, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We will take measures to ensure against such discrimination in all of our services and practices.
Child Protection
All successful candidates will be required to to adhere strictly to the terms of the Child Protection Policy, and to sign the school's Child Protection Code of Conduct.
Child Protection Code of Conduct
All successful candidates will be required to submit a criminal history background check, or similar, for all countries that they have worked in, as a condition of employment.
All successful candidates will be required to undergo a further background check by an external provider, and agree to cooperate fully with the external provider.
Eligibility
The following are non-negotiable credentials for applying for this position.
- Native-level proficiency in English (English/Japanese bilingual candidates are highly preferred)
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, or a related field
- Teaching qualifications
- Specialist qualifications, training and experience in learning support / working with young people with additional learning needs / SEN
- Valid and up-to-date first aid and CPR certifications (or willing to obtain or update certification within a few months of starting)
Range of Experience
We will give preference to candidates with the following kinds of experience.
- Experience as a learning support teacher (ALN/SEN), learning support / SEN coordinator, or other related role
- Experience working at an international school, or in a multicultural environment
- Experience working with non-native speakers of English
- Experience living in Japan, or living abroad
Working Conditions
Salary: pay scale based on years of experience
School Year: late August to June
Benefits: commuting allowance, housing allowance, enrollment in the school’s insurance plan (私学共済), employment insurance
Vacation: 10 days paid personal leave, most Japanese national holidays plus fall, winter, spring, and summer vacations
Visa sponsorship: available
Relocation: will pay for flight to Japan (for applicants who are currently residing overseas) and assist in finding accommodation
Please click the link below to learn more about living and working in the city: Living in Tsukuba
Please submit the application form below to apply for this position.
Please note, the position may be filled before the application deadline if suitable candidates are found, therefore we encourage interested applicants to submit their applications early to ensure that they are considered.
Click here for the full job description - PDF file