Primary School Mandarin/English PYP Teacher

Atlanta International School•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

Atlanta International School (AIS) offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum to all students, from 3K through grade 12. Our challenging academic programs develop internationally minded, critical-thinking students able to take complex and often disparate knowledge, concepts and skills, and forge these into new and unique ways of solving problems. We provide a rigorous education in a diverse, multicultural, multilingual community where the reality and hope of human potential are in action. Our mission at AIS is to develop courageous leaders who shape their world for the better. All AIS employees believe deeply in the potential of each student, value critical thinking (their own and students’) and know learning can be fun and exciting. AIS offers an incredible spirit of community and diversity of perspectives that come from students, families, and employees representing more than 90 nationalities and over 60 languages. Teachers at AIS are innovators and leaders who have a passion for working with students in a multicultural community and are always seeking new ways to personalize learning. With a transdisciplinary focus, AIS teachers also integrate innovative learning strategies while working with a diverse student population. Our school is committed to the safety and well-being of every child. We maintain rigorous safeguarding practices to ensure a secure, supportive, and nurturing environment where all students can thrive. Primary School Mandarin Chinese teachers collaborate with a small team of Mandarin teachers who provide Mandarin as an Additional Language instruction to students in 5K to Grade 5. They use highly effective language acquisition practices to support proficiency level-based groups from novice to advanced. Teachers also collaborate across languages to co-plan grade-level content aligned with the Primary Years Programme (PYP), emphasizing transdisciplinary learning through the lens of inquiry. Teachers foster an intentionally inclusive atmosphere where all students feel a sense of belonging. In SY 27/28, there is the possibility to move into a dual language, Chinese/English role.

Requirements

Relevant Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Minimum 3 years of teaching experience as a primary teacher.
Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese is required, with additional advanced proficiency in English is strongly preferred.
Enthusiastic about teaching within a multicultural and multilingual environment.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
Knowledgeable and experienced in second language acquisition (SLA) approaches and classroom application.
Experience with Restorative Practices and/or Responsive Classroom.

Nice To Haves

Successful experience in an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary, or IB PYP environment is preferred, though strong applicants with experience in other curricula are also encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Collaborate and co-teach with grade-level colleagues
Work closely with your classroom and language co-teachers to plan and deliver inquiry-based lessons across subjects, ensuring a transdisciplinary approach.
Differentiate content and language instruction for learner variability (scaffolding)
Collaboratively design data-informed lessons that challenge each student within their zone of proximal development, providing multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to support language and content learning based on students' individual learning profiles.
Cultivate relationships with students and build a positive classroom environment
Foster a restorative approach to community-building, creating a sense of belonging where students feel valued, respected, and engaged in relevant, real-world learning.
Develop an intentionally inclusive and safe learning environment where all voices are seen, heard, and valued
Value students' linguistic, cultural, racial, and ethnic identities, fostering a supportive classroom culture and collaborating with parents, administrators, and counselors to ensure their safety and well-being.
Establish a proactive, supportive classroom culture with clear and consistent routines
Develop, model, and practice classroom expectations that reinforce respectful behaviors using restorative practices to build independence with thinking and learning
Foster a dynamic and joyful learning environment by designing engaging inquiry-based lessons
Inspire a love of learning while promoting critical thinking and curiosity through engaging, hands-on activities.
Demonstrate knowledge of best practices for dual language learning and teaching
Teach students at various language proficiency levels by encouraging the exploration of language patterns and providing multimodal instruction across reading, writing, listening, and speaking for diverse purposes.
Implement effective assessment & data use practices
Differentiate assessments for equitable access and use learning data to design responsive instruction, monitoring progress at the class, small group, and individual levels.
Communicate with diverse cultural & linguistic groups
Communicate effectively across diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds with students, families, and colleagues, integrating culturally responsive strategies to address learning needs, perspectives, and experiences.
Demonstrate a flexible mindset
Collaborate with colleagues, support staff, and administrators to adjust instructional practices, while remaining open to new approaches and feedback.