Primary School Mandarin/English PYP Teacher

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

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.

JOB PURPOSE
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.

AIS Position Status: Teacher
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Head of Primary School
Start Date: March 9 or August 3
Application Deadline: March 20. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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.

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.
• 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.
• 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 .

TO BE CONSIDERED
To be considered for the above-mentioned position, please submit the following items through our online career site : a letter of interest, resume, and email and phone contact information for three professional references with at least one being supervisory in nature by the stipulated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. We will contact those applicants whose skills and experience best match our needs. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are not able to take or return phone calls regarding employment.

EEO
AIS is an equal opportunity employer. We are a diverse community of professionals that broadly reflects the people of the metropolitan Atlanta area and the United States at large. We aim to align our hiring process with our mission and institutional goals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion or religious practices, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, ability status, military status, unemployment status or any other category protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. AIS takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance all qualified candidates.