Nairobi, Kenya

Director of Teaching and Learning

Effective date: July 2019 The International School of Kenya (ISK) is seeking to hire a new Director of Teaching and Learning to lead the advancement of innovative teaching and learning. ISK's transformative program enables students to collaborate, design, invent, problem-solve, lead, and serve through and within a rigorous, standards-based, integrated curriculum. This is an excellent opportunity for a school-wide leader who is community oriented and who enjoys working collaboratively alongside a committed, dynamic faculty in a supportive environment. ISK is committed to a culture of continuous growth, with an emphasis on effective inclusion at all grades and enhanced integration of technology while embracing our Mission, Vision and Educational Aims; a leader with a similar outlook, who is flexible, positive and truly passionate about best practices and experiential learning, would fit in well here. This represents an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, experienced and visionary educator to contribute to leading a vibrant and evolving educational program.

The School The International School of Kenya is a private, non-profit Pre K-Grade 12 school established in 1976 through a joint partnership between the governments of the United States and Canada. Nestled on 40 acres of a former coffee plantation, ISK’s beautiful campus serves the educational needs of both expatriate and Kenyan students by providing purpose-built learning spaces in a lush, green environment. ISK maintains a comprehensive website that potential applicants will find useful at www.isk.ac.ke.

ISK is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and is authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme. The school is committed to holistic education by combining rigorous academic programs with a rich, well-structured program of co-curricular experiences within the framework of being a Round Square school. The evolving academic program is based on learning standards and benchmarks taken from the best educational systems around the world. ISK will be conducting a self-study for re-accreditation with CIS/MSA during the 2018-19 school year. Kenya is currently attracting more and more expatriate families due to increasing foreign business investment and the continuing development of East Africa. Nairobi is considered a quality career opportunity in part due to the excellent education offered by ISK.

Foundation Documents The values that guide ISK’s community of students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni are embodied in the school’s foundation documents. Mission ISK inspires and nurtures passion, creativity and ambition in pursuit of a better world. Vision Empowering students to create solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. Educational Aims ISK seeks to empower students to respond successfully to future challenges in a rapidly changing world through implementation of new and challenging 21st Century learning outcomes. ISK is committed to transforming learning by shifting the pedagogy and curriculum towards a more inter-disciplinary approach to learning. The following captures the next iteration of ISK’s Educational Aims (both cognitive skills and dispositions) through our learning pathways; integrated, experiential and personalized learning.

Students ISK students are curious, intelligent, respectful and happy to call ISK their school. The school currently has 960 students from over 60 countries and all ISK graduates earn a North American accredited high school diploma. Approximately 65% of graduates also opt to earn the IB Diploma (95% pass rate in 2017, 100% in 2016), enabling them to study at some of the most respected and competitive colleges and universities in the world. ISK is committed to cultivating student leaders, engaged globally-minded citizens, and entrepreneurs in an atmosphere that values diversity. The school has an inclusive admission policy and provides the training and resources necessary to meet the needs of a managed number of students with mild to moderate learning needs. ISK is opening an early elementary intensive needs program starting in 2019-20. ISK’s scholarship program for Kenyan students and the school’s broad and dedicated Service Learning program further support the importance of diversity and inclusion on the ISK campus.

ISK students form a supportive, spirited and diverse community, which enables new students to more easily adapt to campus life. Interacting in such a welcoming cross-cultural milieu, ISK students celebrate the unique and wonderful differences and similarities of people from around the world. Initiatives such as increased commitment to eco-friendly practices, student councils, Pride, and Round Square provide opportunities for leadership and growth.

Responsibilities of the Director of Teaching and Learning The Director of Teaching and Learning (DTL) is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of ISK’s written curriculum and providing guidance and data to the Leadership Team as instructional leaders as they oversee effective implementation of the curriculum, to ensure that instructional and assessment practices are consistent with ISK’s Mission, Vision and Educational Aims. The DTL also contributes to how the school measures its effective implementation of the mission, vision and educational aims as they relate to student learning. The Director of Teaching and Learning is responsible to monitor the school’s accreditation status; and manage accreditation processes ensuring that the school’s foundational documents guide the work that is done in all divisions and departments. The Director of Teaching and Learning also has oversight of common assessments with the exception of the IB Diploma Programme. This includes internal assessments (e.g. ES reading running records, ES/MS writing prompts and external assessments such as the MAP and the PSAT). Subsequent data analysis and inservice for faculty and leadership is required to support teachers as they use the data to drive instructional practices Professional Learning for faculty, leadership and teaching assistants is a key role. Organizing and managing internal and external professional learning includes working with consultants, AISA and the leadership team. To fulfil these broad responsibilities he/she will be an active member of the educational leadership team. Leading for Learning:

● Provide vision and leadership for school-wide curriculum and instructional practices in the context of ISK’s Mission, Vision and Educational Aims.

● Support ISK’s Principals as instructional leaders, as they implement and monitor best classroom and collaborative practices.

● Work closely with the Principals, the Director of Technology, the Student Support Services Coordinator and Tech Integration Coordinator to ensure the alignment of ISK’s learning standards, instructional practices, assessment systems, and reporting practices.

● Guide the Principals, Director and teacher-leaders in the effective collection and analysis of appropriate data on student learning at ISK, including comparator or benchmark data from external tests, for the purpose of improving student learning.

● Provide training and support to teacher-leaders in collaborative planning, strategy sharing, and data analysis. This includes management of the Wednesday PL IMPACT sessions and the all-school orientation schedule.

● Support Principals in the setting of long-term learning goals, appropriate to their respective divisions, and their guidance of team leaders in the setting and achieving of annual subject or grade-level learning goals.

● Lead the development of appropriate structures which support ISK’s learning pathways as well as its foundational statements.

Managing for Learning:

● Manage the systematic, rigorous review and refinement of ISK’s Pre-K to 12 curriculum, including co-curricular program, to ensure consistency with the Aims.

● Monitor ISK’s accreditation and authorization status with CIS, MSA and IBO.o Provide leadership to accreditation processes and support the IB Coordinator in DP

authorization processes. ● Coordinate administration of external testing (other than IB), including recommendations for

most appropriate tests, and analysis of results.

● Collaborate with the Leadership Team in setting professional learning priorities, implementing PL initiatives in cooperation with teacher-leaders, and allocating resources to support PL activities.

● Manage the curriculum and feedback modules for the purpose of collecting data on standards and student progress towards meeting the academic standards and educational aims performance areas connecting how the school measures the effectivenss of its mission, vision and educational aims.

● Manage the professional learning history and funding for teachers as well as assists with US teacher recertification as needed.

● Communicate ISK’s curriculum developments, instructional/assessment practices, and performance results with the faculty, parents, and the broader community.

● Manage the Teaching and Learning Center, including supervision of the adminstrative assistants and the center’s budget.

● Other reasonable duties as assigned. Qualifications It is expected that candidates for this position will be highly qualified educators able to lead a faculty in order to make a distinct improvement in the learning environment of our students. Characteristics of the ideal person for this position would include:

● A Masters Degree in Curriculum Development or Assessment; ● Successful prior experience preferred…

o of at least 10 years as a teacher; o of at least five years in a significant leadership role in a culturally diverse international

school in a developing country; o guiding colleagues in curriculum transformation and improvement of instructional

practices; ● Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability and desire to work collaboratively within the

school community; ● An outgoing, community-oriented, passionate, student-centered educator; ● Proficient in the use of current educational and communication technologies; ● Energetic, goal-oriented and self-motivated, with an optimistic, “can-do” approach to

challenges and transformational change; ● Integrity and clarity in personal values—which must include a love of learning and valuing

students as individuals; ● Adaptable, resilient with a sense of humor; ● Demonstrated collaboration skills of facilitating and listening, and generating ideas.

Compensation Package The School offers a very competitive salary package including worldwide medical insurance, housing, round-trip airfare annually for employee and family, plus a professional development allowance, retirement and other benefits, details of which may be requested from the HR Manager at the time of application. Application Process To apply for this position, please visit the ISK website to complete our employment application. This includes:

● A cover letter explaining your strengths as a candidate and why you are interested in the Director of Teaching and Learning position;

● Full curriculum vitae (normally two pages; ● Statement of Educational Philosophy and Leadership;

● Full contact information for at least three recent references including names, positions, current email addresses in addition to the current Superintendent/Director at your present school;

● Full employment history and related documentation Interested candidates should complete the application no later than September 1, 2018. Once complete please email the recruitment@isk.ac.ke. (The review of files will begin starting on August 11, 2018). Candidates should note that, in the event that an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, ISK reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline mentioned above and to bring the search to a close. All applications received will be acknowledged. Applications will be screened by an internal search committee and a shortlist will be compiled in early September with the likely view of interviewing finalist candidates in Nairobi in late September 2018. A decision is expected to be made soon thereafter. Submission of your application is an acknowledgement that the school may contact references both listed and not listed who would know your professional background. Child Protection Statement ISK requires anyone wishing to join our professional community to provide requested up-to-date and accurate screening information as we have fully implemented child protection policies and practices.