IB DP Biology & IB MYP Integrated Science Teacher

Summary of the Position: All our teachers at the International School of Latvia are expected to embody the values and beliefs set out in the International School of Latvia’s Guidance Statements and Community Values. Our goals are to inspire students and promote innovation and creativity in our students and in our own teaching. As an IB World School our teachers are expected to practise and teach students the philosophical and pedagogical values of the International Baccalaureate. At the center of the school’s purpose is student learning and this job description is therefore structured to address this focus through the areas of planning, teaching and assessing.

Qualifications and Experience:
A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Education;
Valid Teaching Certification;
Experience as international educator is preferred;
Experience in IB MYP and/or DP is preferred;
Open minded, passionate and dedicated to work;
Happy, flexible and energetic individual with good sense of humor;
Commitment to personal excellence;
Collaborative and contributing.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Planning and Teaching :
Planning using the MYP/DP philosophy as a framework;
Collaborating to plan Units that are conceptually driven and aligned to assess curricular aims and objectives;
Planning and delivering lessons which build upon students’ prior knowledge and experience;
Teaching the curriculum as it is written in the curriculum documentation;
Creating a safe and purposeful learning environment;
Planning and teaching using Differentiated Instruction to accommodate a range of ability levels;
Planning and coordinating the work of teacher assistants as appropriate;
When applicable to the subjcet taught preparing a syllabus to include course description, aims, objectives, content, assessment (with explanation how to arrive to a final grade, including MYP criteria rubrics), and homework guidelines;
Using a variety of resources and technologies.

2. Assessment:
Assessing what is taught using a range and balance of assessment strategies;
Assessing the levels of students’ current prior knowledge before embarking on new learning;
Using appropriate recording and reporting strategies;
Ensuring all assessment informs revision of your teaching, and participating in curriculum review;
Creating a digital portfolio of student work throughout the year;
Utilizing the information from MAP tests when applicable to improve classroom instruction;
When applicable preparing samples of assessed student work, following the guidelines outlined in their MYP/DP subject guides listed under Moderation, to be submitted to the IB in March/end of year. This is a service offered by the IBO for teachers to receive assessment feedback from experienced MYP/DP Monitors.

3. Serving as a grade Level Advisor:
Pastoral care of students in grade – On the first day, advisors will introduce the grade to the schedules, planners, locker assignments, school life, student handbook in the planner, collect signatures, introduce themselves as the teacher the students can turn to for academic guidance; advisors will run weekly advisory lessons with their grade level following the advisory curriculum; will coordinate with their grade level the planning of assemblies; during Middle School meetings will represent their students, concerns etc.; are the homeroom parent contact and party coordinator(Christmas and year-end, other cultural celebrations).
Bulletin Board coordination with subject teachers – Advisors will maintain a regular rotation (approx. 1 a month or quarter) of displayed student project work focusing on the Global Contexts of that project, subject teachers are asked to contact grade leader if they have something they want to display, state the concept or global context and if possible, guiding question.
Collaboration Coordination – Advisors will facilitate continued collaboration throughout the year with scheduled meeting time and through the use of ManageBac and Google groups.
4. Using student management system for online reporting and curriculum documentation (ManageBac and iSAMS):
Uploading subject syllabi, and post all homework assignments/tasks to ManageBac;
Using ManageBac to upload unit work, project outlines and assessment rubrics, study guides, classroom notes, post useful links, videos etc;.
Entering all task criteria grades into ManageBac Gradebook according to subject criteria rubrics as the work is assessed;
Entering semester final criterion grades at the end of each semester, and at the end of the year to calculate the final MYP grade;
Following report writing guidelines for quarterly report cards;
Subject teachers are required to regularly update their units in ManageBac, attaching documents and links, reflecting on unit work.
5. Professional Responsibility:
Actively collaborating with colleagues on program and curriculum development;
Demonstrating an active role in identifying and supporting student needs;
Openly sharing knowledge, skills, ideas and resources;
Willingly pursuing professional growth activities and being a self- motivated learner;
Responding and acting professionally in all school interactions;
Attending all meetings, meeting all deadlines;
Attending school events, such as, but no tlimited to Back to School BBQ, International Dinner, Personal Project Night, Graduation and etc.
Checking school emails at least twice a day, responding in a timely fashion;
Complying with all school compliance policies, guidelines and procedures;
Chaperoning adventure trips and student council events;
Actively participating in their own appraisal process;
Contributes to the maintenance of high staff morale, and to team building and the wider life of the school;
Acting as a grade level advisor and leading advisory curriculum with advisees;
Promote High School culture by helping plan and participating in events such as assemblies that foster student learning and growth, as well as a sense of school community;
Serve as supervisors in Community Service Projects and Creativity Action Service work;
Serve as advisor for the Extended Essay/ MYP Personal Project.

Number of Contract Days

180 student contact days plus 10 additional days

Starting Salary Range

Teachers are placed on the entry salary scale depending on the acquired degree and full-time teaching experience in full years in a school environment.
BA/BSc scale ranges from 25000 to 32500 USD (23500 EUR - 30500 EUR)
MA/Msc scale ranges from 29300 to 36800 USD (27500 EUR - 34 500 EUR)
After the 1st full year, we offer an annual increment of 3% of the annual salary.

Taxes

For those US citizens and other non-EU hires who can provide proof of filing taxes in their home country, we can offer a 5-year tax-exempt status.

Savings Potential

Between 5000 USD to 10000 USD

Accommodation

Upon arrival, the school provides financial support for temporary accommodation ( up to 14 days) in the amount of 1/2 of the housing allowance. Monthly housing allowance is paid afterward.

Flights/Transport

At the start of employment and at the end of the contract - one-way economy flight from/to the point of origin. Annually - economy round trip. This benefit is extended to the married spouse and minor dependents (up to 2 children per family).

Furniture

Settling-in allowance of ~1000 USD (1000 EUR gross) paid in cash upon arrival

Moving Allowance

~1000 USD (1000 EUR gross) per teacher and ~533 USD (500 EUR gross) per child (max 2 children per teaching couple)

Dependent Opportunities

Tuition-free education for up to 2 children per family

Medical

Fully paid worldwide coverage for US citizens and international plus coverage for non-US citizens (if the tax-exempt status is applied), for tax-payers - local coverage

Dental

Discounted program only

Other

Accident and accidental death insurance

Retirement

At the end of each completed school year, we pay a retirement contribution in the amount of 10% of the annual salary.