Teacher Assistant at International School of Tanganyika | May 2024

Dar es Salaam

Title: Teacher Assistant

Category: (cf Policy 5.101)

Job Holder Start date: 1 August 2024

IST Mission

Challenging, inspiring and supporting all our students to fulfil their potential and improve the world

IST Vision

IST will be a global leader in the education of internationally-mobile young people.

All students, regardless of their starting point, will think critically, achieve academically and develop the wisdom to make good choices. They will show curiosity and creativity in addressing authentic problems, local and global.

They will pursue their varied passions with enthusiasm, developing resilience, perseverance, and confidence. Understanding the diversity of people and cultures, they will act kindly, fairly, and responsibly.

All members of the IST community will work together to fulfil this vision.

Statement of Values

All members of the IST community are:

Responsible – We act responsibly, positively and constructively towards ourselves and other people. We learn from our mistakes and accept the consequences of our actions.
Inquiring – We show curiosity, perseverance and open-mindedness in seeking to understand and solve problems. We persevere in the face of difficulties and we embrace the learning that comes through failure as well as the joy of success.
Compassionate – We empathise with others and act with care, kindness and courage. In our interactions, we behave with patience, generosity and integrity.
Balanced – We believe in a broad education for our students, seeing the value of participation in a varied curriculum.
Diverse – We treasure the diversity within the IST community, using the rich opportunities for deeper understanding that come from our differences.

IST Strategic Plan

Our Strategic Plan is in place to help our community align efforts to better reach our schoolʼs mission, vision and values. This plan is focused on three aims.

Personalised Learning:

The written, taught and assessed curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all learners.
Creation and implementation of the technology plan in order to ensure that future developments of media and information technology address the long-term needs of the school.
Professional learning opportunities are designed to have a positive impact on student learning.
Ensure IST is recognised globally as an exemplary IB World School.
Continued development of ISTʼs inclusion programs to support personalised experiences for all learners.

Engaged Community:

Build and sustain a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all members of the school community.
Continued development of partnerships with local and global individuals, organisations and alumni to enhance student learning.
Develop and review processes and systems to enhance communication within the IST community.

Ensured Sustainability:

Continued review and implementation of master site plan – with a focus on inclusion and access as well as facilities to support innovative programs
Review procedures to retain and recruit employees who are aligned with our strategic plan.
Improve ISTʼs ability to work more sustainably and align environmental frameworks to improve our educational experiences and operations.
Enhance processes for creating, auditing and reviewing IST policy and procedure documents.

Summary of the Role

Life-centered education (LCE) is a personalised model of instruction. It is not a self-contained program. Students spend most of their time in general education classrooms alongside their peers. Depending on their individual level of need, students may spend time in small groups or 1-to-1 to focus on modified grade-level content, foundational academic skills and independent living skills. Teachers, parents and the student will collaborate to create a Student Support Plan (SSP). The SSP outlines the studentʼs long-term and short-term goals as well as the services IST will provide to help the student meet those goals. The Teacher Assistant for the program supports a lead teacher in charge of a classroom. Teacher Assistants also reinforce lessons by tutoring individual students or small groups. Their duties include creating lesson plans, documenting progress, and overseeing lesson preparations.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

Experience: 4+ years of teaching experience
Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Needs Education
MYP/DP training/experience is desirable

Professional Competencies:

Excellent communication skills in spoken and written form
Sound decision-making, solutions-focused, knowledge of child protection and health and safety
Solid understanding of classroom activities and teaching best practice

Personal Attributes:

Collaborative team player, empathetic listener
Integrity and confidentiality
Keenness to progress their knowledge and skills through taking additional responsibilities and opportunities for development;
Flexibility, Creativity and Adaptability;
Ability to exercise patience and understanding to students with different learning needs;
A wholeheartedly committed to supporting student’s needs and those of the school’s wider community;

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of a Teacher Assistant at the Secondary School will be:

Areas of Responsibility

Whenever necessary and at the discretion of the classroom teacher, the responsibilities of the Teacher Assistant will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Work with the lead teacher to monitor the class schedule.
Assist teachers with lesson preparation by getting materials ready and setting up equipment.
Revise lesson material with students individually or in small groups.
Ensure the classroom environment is safe and clean.
Oversee students during non-classroom times, including in-between classes, lunch, and field excursions.
Collaborate with lead teachers to recognise issues students are facing and recommend solutions.
Document student progress and communicate with parents to keep them informed.
Help lead teachers to create lesson plans.
Comply with government and school regulations, as well as classroom agreements.
Attend all professional development sessions and meetings.
You may be required to serve as an advisor in homeroom classes.
Whenever necessary and at the discretion of the Secondary Vice Principal, the Teacher Assistant is accountable for:

Supervision of students at break/after school in a safe and punctual manner
For the Teacher Assistant to meet these expectations, the Classroom Teacher is also held accountable for:

Communicating clearly, openly and honestly with the Teacher Assistant
Meeting with the Teacher Assistant at the start of the year to discuss responsibilities and expectations for the year
Actively encouraging respectful interactions between the Teacher Assistant and all members of the community
Meet regularly with the TA to discuss plans, overviews, and reflections on practice.
Perform other duties as assigned, including special projects as requested by the Vice Principal.

How to Apply:

Applications and enquiries should be directed to: facultyrecruitment@istafrica.com