Self-Contained Teacher – Primary School 50 views

Kelem International School (KIS) is a Pre-KG to Grade 10 institution with a rich 78-year history as a Scandinavian school in Addis Ababa. For 72 years it operated under the Swedish Embassy as the Swedish Community School before transitioning in 2019 to an independent, not-for-profit international school. Today, KIS continues its legacy of academic excellence, student-centered learning, and global citizenship.

We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Self-Contained Teacher (Class Teacher) to join our Primary School team. This role is ideal for an educator who thrives in student-centered learning environments and is committed to fostering independent, inquiry-based learning while aligning with the core principles of the Finnish curriculum.

Who We Are

At KIS, our vision is to become a collaborative center of learning in Ethiopia, nurturing confident and self-realized global citizens. Our mission is to empower every child to reach their full potential, developing resilient, curious, open-minded, and reflective learners who can express themselves effectively.

We are committed to equipping our students with the ability to think critically, analyze information, and solve problems creatively, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As lifelong learners, our teachers, and staff engage in continuous professional development to uphold the highest educational standards.

KIS fosters compassionate and responsible global citizens, while honoring and respecting Ethiopia’s rich heritage. Our diverse student body of 200 students, representing 28 different nationalities, follows the Finnish curriculum blended with international educational best-practices and standards for Grades 1-10, alongside the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) for Kindergarten.

If you are an educator who values inquiry-based learning, creativity, and student empowerment, we invite you to apply and become a part of our innovative learning community.

JOB SUMMARY

The Self-Contained Teacher will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive, student-centered learning experience across multiple subject areas, including Math, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. This role requires an educator who can create an engaging and inclusive classroom environment that fosters independent inquiry, critical thinking, and creativity among primary school students. Key responsibilities include:

• Plan and deliver engaging, inquiry-based lessons that promote self-directed learning.
• Differentiate instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles and needs while maintaining high academic standards.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment that nurtures students’ social, emotional, and academic growth.
• Collaborate with colleagues to enhance curriculum materials and refine teaching strategies.
• Implement assessment strategies that monitor student progress and provide meaningful feedback to guide learning.
• Integrate technology into classroom instruction to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Maintain strong communication with parents, providing updates on student progress and fostering a collaborative home-school relationship.
• Support and actively participate in school-wide initiatives, including extracurricular activities, professional learning communities, and special projects.
• Uphold and model the school’s core values, ensuring that students develop a strong sense of responsibility, respect, and global citizenship.
• Actively participate in professional development initiatives to stay current with educational best practices and emerging pedagogical trends.

Key Activities:

• Demonstrate mastery of related subject matter, instructional skills, and resource materials for course(s) taught.
• Create lesson plans, aligned with the Finnish Curriculum drive standards, which drives instruction through formative assessment and differentiation.
• Maintain a safe, organized classroom, which supports students’ independent learning, collaboration and choice.
• Utilize a safe, a variety of effective Instructional (or Blended learning) and management techniques.
• Provide a variety of assessments and uses assessment data for planning and instruction
• Provide consistent, immediate feedback to student learning and ask analytical questions that elicit students’ responses that incorporate prior knowledge, life experience, and interests that are directly related to the content objective.
• Monitor and maintain a positive classroom environment that supports the school-wide behavior expectation, in which most students are engaged, incorporates mutual respect, and provides cooperative learning opportunities.
• Use available technology/instructional media to enhance the students’ learning experiences.
• Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members by communicating in a tactful, courteous, and confidential manner.
• Appropriately communicates and interacts with other professional staff in academic planning and school committee work.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and extra-curricular/school-related activities and committees.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional growth and work with administrators to formulate and complete professional plans.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demonstrate behavior that is conscientious and responsible.
• Engage parents and guardians in the education of their children.
• Do not engage in discriminatory practices on any basis, including race, origin, gender, socio-economic status, disability, religion, or political beliefs.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Team Leader or Principals

Reports to: Team Leader
Coordinates with: Principals, Team Leaders, Teaching staff, Learning Support Department, and Parents
Working Hours: Monday – Thursday, 7:30 am – 4:30 pm; Friday, 7:30 am – 3:30 pm

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Education (or equivalent) required; Master’s degree or further specialization in Education.
• Certification & Experience: Valid teaching certification for primary education; minimum 3 years’ experience teaching at the primary school level; experience with self-directed learning initiatives and Finnish curriculum experience is an asset.
• Pedagogical Expertise: Proficiency in designing lesson plans that foster student independence and critical thinking; familiarity with Finnish curriculum principles, assessment methods, and inclusive classroom practices.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent command of English (written and verbal); knowledge of Amharic language is an advantage; strong interpersonal skills with experience in multicultural settings.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Instructional Excellence: Ability to create engaging, effective lessons that inspire independent learning.
• Adaptability: Capability to tailor teaching methods to diverse learning styles and evolving educational trends.
• Collaboration: Proven experience in working collaboratively with colleagues, parents, and community members.
• Innovative Thinking: Eagerness to incorporate emerging best practices and digital tools in classroom instruction.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written skills marked by clarity, empathy, and professionalism.