Job Summary

Reporting to the Upper School Principal, the US Biology Teacher is responsible for planning and implementing differentiated instruction for 10th grade Biology, IB and IBDP Biology based on ongoing assessment; communicating clearly with parents and colleagues; and coordinating support with the best interests of each individual child in mind. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Create a classroom environment that promotes an exemplary learning community: enriched by differences, informed through inquiry, global in reach.
2. Plan and implement clear, well-thought-out lesson plans that connect in-class learning to concepts and real-world situations, and generate enthusiasm and academic excellence in the classroom.
3. Demonstrate command of the Science content and curriculum.
4. Use a variety of developmentally appropriate instructional and assessment methods to meet the needs of all learners and provide varied forms of feedback on learning.
5. Monitor the academic, personal, emotional, and social progress of students. 
6. Use technology purposefully in the classroom to enhance learning and to provide information and feedback to students and parents.
7. Establish and maintain standards of pupil behavior to achieve an effective learning atmosphere.
8. Practice regular, punctual attendance of instructional periods.
9. Ensure the safety of students, following supervision standards and guidelines in common areas.
10. Handle appropriately and professionally the supervision and/or re-direction of students.
11. Communicate regularly with parents by relevant means to the learning: class newsletters, notes, telephone calls, conferences, emails, websites, etc.
12. Communicate in a timely, clear, and effective manner with students, parents, and colleagues, informally and formally.
13. Highlight students’ successes and areas of growth through assessment.
14. Implement support strategies with the Student Support Team (SST) and communicate with parents regarding support. 
15. Execute distance education when directed and needed to include alternative teaching and learning delivery methods: develop online courses reflecting best practices, provide student support to include alternative assignments and assessments, collaborate with colleagues, supervisors, and students online to build a connected and positive learning environment.
16. Demonstrate a willingness to be available to students within contractual hours in addition to instructional time.
17. Attend meetings and events necessary for the advancement of student learning, such as faculty meetings and Parent-Teacher Conferences.
18. Prepare adequately for responsibilities to be assumed when absent. 
19. Complete progress reports and report cards in alignment with school requirements.
20. Fulfill regular administrative tasks, such as timely completion and correction of attendance.
21. Serve as a student advisor to a group of upper school students if needed, for an additional stipend. 
22. Engage with students, colleagues, and parents to foster a sense of community.
23. Work with colleagues, management, and staff in a constructive, collaborative, and cooperative manner.
24. Actively seek opportunities for professional growth.
25. Represent WIS in a manner that reflects the Mission and the Core Beliefs of Learning.
26. Work with Admissions to support appropriate acceptance and placement of students at WIS. 
27. Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Previous teaching experience of 3-5 years is preferable
• Experience with the IB DP is preferable, but not required
• Passion for WIS’s mission
• Strong communication skills, a sense of humor, humility, and empathy
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Previous experience at an international school and/or cultural fluency derived from international experience is a plus

About Washington International School

Founded in 1966, Washington International School is a private, non-profit, Preschool-12 school profoundly committed to its mission: to be an exemplary learning community—enriched by differences, informed through inquiry, global in reach. Serving its full community of 900 plus students on two campuses, the school is multinational, multicultural, and multilingual. The school’s challenging international program draws on classroom-based research on pedagogical practices and curriculum design from renowned organizations such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) and Project Zero, based in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University. From Preschool through Grade 5 students follow the inquiry-based IB Primary Years Program; in Grades 6-10 they continue with a multidisciplinary and inquiry-based approach designed to enhance understanding and develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the prestigious IB Diploma Program (DP). All students in Grades 11 and 12 are enrolled in the DP, which prepares them to take exams to receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma in addition to a WIS diploma. IB Diploma results are well above the worldwide pass rate, and WIS gra...duates attend highly selective colleges and universities in both the United States (about two-thirds in a typical year) and abroad. Commitment to the intensive study of a second language is a core principle, with Pre-School, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classes taught entirely in French or Spanish. All instruction in Grades 1-5 is “dual language” in English and either French or Spanish. Chinese is an option beginning in Grade 6. Typically, one half to three-quarters of WIS graduates earn the Bilingual IB Diploma, demonstrating fluency in two languages. The entire school community – alumni, parents, students, teachers, administrators and staff – are ardent advocates for international education. WIS has played a prominent role in setting a standard for a global perspective that many schools now emulate. The school culture is highly egalitarian, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and understanding differing points of view. There is no typical WIS family: some households consist only of U.S. passport holders, others are all non-U.S. passport holders and many are a mix of nationalities. In addition to this global diversity, WIS also strives to achieve economic diversity: 14% of the students receive financial assistance.

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