PRETORIA MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE/MATH TEACHER

Pretoria Middle School Science/Math Teacher

CAMPUS: PTA Campus | SUPERVISOR: PTA Principal | START DATE: 27 July 2025 |
POSTING DATE: 11 November 2024 | CLOSING DATE: 15 January 2024

Inspire Learning to Build Our Better World. At the American International School of Johannesburg (AISJ), we are committed to providing an exceptional education that empowers global citizens to fulfill their future purpose. Our vision is to inspire learning to build a better world. We seek a dedicated and passionate professional who aligns with our commitment to excellence and believes in the transformative power of education. Every team member is crucial in creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment. At AISJ, we value every employee as a learner and expect them to embody and support the AISJ Portrait of Learner (Resilience, Mindful, Thinker, Globally Connected, Curious, Contributor) through their work. We are dedicated to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our school community.

Position overview

The philosophy of the AISJ science program is to develop our diverse community of students into life-long learners who are able to recognize problems, conduct objective investigations, and offer reasoned solutions, attaining academic excellence in science, as well as contributing to the global community and environment.

The Middle School science program is inquiry driven. Regardless of the content the students are studying, students should be constantly engaged in activities which increase their ability to inquire, use the scientific process, communicate their ideas, proposals, and solutions, and apply their knowledge through demonstration and/or the creation of models. Hands on learning activities and assessment that make connections to the student’s world around them are essential to our program, preferably through integrated subject units.

The Middle School science teacher will serve as a core member of the grade level team in fulfilling and monitoring the school’s vision, mission, core beliefs, and goals. Serving as a core member of the team, this teacher will collaborate weekly with the other three members of the team to plan integrated units and advisory activities, discuss students, and work together to promote the educational needs of Middle School learners. Also serving as a core advisor to 8 – 10 students within a grade level, this position requires an acute understanding of the developmental uniqueness of the middle level learner and a desire to work with and advocate for this age group.

Qualifications:

• Current teaching certification appropriate to age level and subject specializations
• A minimum of an undergraduate degree in Education or the area of expertise required
• Previous teaching experience, and strong knowledge in the area of specializations at the required levels of study
• A firm understanding of middle school philosophy and a passion for working with Middle School students
• Willingness to sponsor co-curricular activities
• A positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills
• Expertise in building active, collaborative classroom programs which encourage problem solving, critical thinking skills, and which develop a sense of classroom community and trust
• A solid understanding of a middle school organization, programs and students
• A proven ability to differentiate instruction and integrate learning
• A willingness and ability to reflect and critically examine teaching practices, set goals, and commit to continuous improvement
• Proficient in integrating technology in student learning.

Preferred skills and experience:

• Strong organizational and time management abilities
• Experience with and/or understanding of:
• Curriculum and assessment development (particularly standards-based assessment)
• Unit planning using Understanding by Design
• Using hands on activities and assessment to help students make connections to the world around them
• Working within an Advisory program model
• Teaching in a One-to-One learning environment
• Experience with service learning

Performance Responsibilities:

The Middle School Math/Science teacher will teach a full load, which is determined by the school and administration. *Additionally, this teacher may be asked to teach one section of another subject: either an elective or an exploratory class. The assignment of this subject is dependent upon the strengths of the successful candidate and will be made by the principal.

A 30-minute Advisory period is also included in the teacher’s responsibilities. Weekly team meetings will occur (or more frequently if required) and common planning time is embedded in the master schedule for all core teams.

AISJ values continuous improvement and provides weekly professional growth and collaboration time from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Wednesdays.

• In addition to the subject responsibilities, teachers at AISJ are welcomed into a collegial and collaborative working environment. In support of this teachers are expected to:
• Communicate and liaise on a regular basis with fellow department/grade members with regard to planning, assessment, parent and community contact, subject organization and classroom issues such including discipline, expectations and routines
• Communicate and liaise with other school colleagues in an effort to promote and establish integrative links and/or awareness
• Take an active role in behavioral management and pastoral care of class and advisory groups
• Attend and constructively contribute in staff and department/grade meetings
• Assist in supervision of student breaks
• Coordinate class activities as deemed necessary
• Contribute to and support school improvement plans and initiatives
• Maintain up-to-date records of assessment, attendance, planning, reports, conferences, and communication with parents
• Establish regular links with your parent community to ensure that parents are kept well informed about student progress
• Assist, as required, in the development of curricular materials
• Act as a resource/contact/support for new staff members (i.e. curriculum, schedules, procedures)
• Lead co-curricular after school activities
• Chaperone annual Classroom Without Walls class trip
• Participate in and assist with school events as required

All community members are expected to be committed to the AISJ Community Principles.

• We are better when we act together.
• Our differences make us stronger.
• Every voice counts.
• Every voice matters.
• Every team needs individuals.
• Every individual needs a team.

Teacher Competencies

Planning for Learning

• Curriculum Design: Creates personalized, challenging learning sequences that build on prior knowledge while ensuring knowledge transfer and regular reflection opportunities.
• Collaborative Planning: Partners across disciplines and specialties to create cohesive learning experiences that connect global contexts while anticipating student needs.
• Inquiry-Based Learning: Designs flexible conceptual units that honor student choice, pace, and multiple pathways to demonstrate understanding.

Maximizing Teacher Efficacy

• Student Agency & Critical Thinking Creates self-directed learners who think critically, set goals, and drive their own learning journey.
• Research-Based Instructional Excellence Implements proven teaching strategies that adapt to individual student needs through continuous assessment and adjustment.
• Connected Learning Design Weaves together global perspectives, real-world applications, and cross-disciplinary connections to create meaningful learning experiences.
• Collaborative Leadership Builds a learning community where students develop leadership skills through structured collaboration and personalized engagement.

Reflecting as Practitioners

• Student Agency: Builds student capacity for self-assessment through modeling, tools, and targeted feedback that drives individual growth.
• Data-Informed Practice: Analyzes student achievement data to align curriculum, refine teaching strategies, and measure instructional effectiveness.
• Professional Growth: Engages in collaborative reflection and data analysis with colleagues to continuously improve teaching practices and student outcomes.

Promoting Relationships, Community, & Culture

• Builds strong community-school partnerships and actively participates in community initiatives to enrich the learning environment.
• Adapts teaching practices by staying informed of educational and societal changes while understanding each learner's unique cultural background, learning style, and needs.
• Creates an inclusive learning environment that embraces diversity, challenges stereotypes, and connects learning to students' real-world experiences and cultural contexts.
• Fosters a growth mindset by encouraging calculated risk-taking and developing students' autonomy, personal responsibility, and ownership of learning.

Work Hours: Monday through Friday - 188 (one hundred and eighty-eight) days per school year

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please complete the electronic formplease click here. Information captured will be securely stored and used for a reference check on the candidate's compatibility. AISJ reserves the right to appoint the strongest candidate before the closing date if required.

SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION
AISJ maintains robust child protection policies to ensure a safe, secure, and caring environment for our students. All employees must undergo criminal background checks, attend annual training, and sign a safeguarding agreement.

PRIVACY
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