Overview
OWIS Tsukuba Subject Specialist PYP Teacher– (Art, PE, Immersion Class) – PYP Jobs in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan at One World International School Tsukuba
Title: OWIS Tsukuba Subject Specialist PYP Teacher– (Art, PE, Immersion Class) – PYP
Company: One World International School Tsukuba
Location: Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
OWIS Tsukuba Subject Specialist PYP Teacher– (Art, PE, Immersion Class)
Reports to: Head of School & PYP Coordinator
Location: OWIS Tsukuba (Japan) Ibaraki prefecture
Contract: Full‑time
Key Responsibilities
1) Curriculum
- Uphold school philosophy, PYP policies, and team agreements; contribute to ongoing curriculum review and mapping for the specialist strand.
- Plan coherent, concept‑based, inquiry‑driven units that integrate Approaches to Learning (ATL), Learner Profile attributes, and transdisciplinary links.
- Ensure clear progressions of knowledge, skills, and conceptual understandings from ECE2 to Grade 5; provide appropriate scaffolds/extensions for diverse learners.
- Collaborate with homeroom teams to align language objectives and reinforce disciplinary vocabulary/functions.
2) Teaching & Learning
- Teach engaging lessons with clear learning intentions and success criteria; balance inquiry with explicit instruction and modeling.
- Differentiate using flexible groupings, tiered tasks, visuals, and assistive tools; co‑plan supports with Student Support and EAL/JSL.
- Integrate technology where it enhances creativity, practice, feedback, documentation, and performance/exhibition.
- Create safe, organized, and inspiring learning environments; maintain and model respectful routines and positive behavior.
3) Assessment
- Use pre‑assessment to gauge prior knowledge; gather formative evidence (observations, checklists, journals, skill rubrics) to inform next steps.
- Design authentic summative tasks (performances, compositions, exhibitions, games/skill challenges, portfolios) with transparent criteria.
- Provide timely, actionable feedback; facilitate student reflection and goal‑setting.
- Maintain accurate records; prepare personalized reports and contribute to student‑led/parent‑teacher conferences.
- Curate digital portfolios (e.g., Toddle/Seesaw) highlighting skill growth and conceptual understanding.
4) Professional Responsibilities & Collaboration
- Participate in PYPC meetings, co‑planning with homerooms and specialists; contribute to common assessments and moderation.
- Coordinate performances, showcases, tournaments, and exhibitions in collaboration with the wider team; complete risk assessments.
- Care for facilities/equipment; manage inventories and budgets responsibly.
- Engage in CPD aligned to specialist pedagogy, inclusion, assessment, and IB requirements; respond positively to feedback and coaching.
- Support ECAs/clubs and whole‑school events as assigned.
5) Community & Communication
- Build warm, proactive relationships with families; share learning aims, expectations, and home‑friendly practice ideas.
- Represent OWIS Tsukuba positively in communications and at events; celebrate student learning publicly and appropriately.
6) Safeguarding & Wellbeing
- Follow safeguarding and health/safety procedures at all times; supervise students vigilantly during classes, rehearsals, outdoor sessions, and events.
- Ensure safe, inclusive participation for all students; adapt tasks and spaces for diverse needs.
Subject‑Specific Expectations
A) Visual Arts
- Teach drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, design, and media arts; develop techniques alongside creative process, critique, and art vocabulary.
- Manage studio safety, materials, and displays; guide curation of student exhibitions that communicate ideas and processes.
- Integrate artists’ studies from diverse cultures; encourage reflective journals/process portfolios.
B) Physical Education
- Develop locomotor, object‑control, and stability skills; teach games concepts, fitness, movement composition, and outdoor/health education.
- Implement inclusive activity design, progressive skill development, and sportsmanship; run safe use of equipment, warm‑ups/cool‑downs.
- Organize events such as Sports Day, intra‑school festivals, and friendly fixtures; maintain medical/first‑aid readiness and incident logs.
C) Immersion class
- Lead the Primary Immersion Class for students (G1–5) entering OWIS Tsukuba with beginner‑level English. Provide intensive English acquisition while ensuring access to a balanced curriculum (Mathematics, Thematic/Social Studies/PSEL, Specialists). Build clear pathways from Immersion → AEP (Literacy pull‑out) → mainstream Literacy, using CEFR/MAP/internal benchmarks to make exit decisions each term. Maintain strong belonging to the wider school community.
- Programme Structure & Classroom Culture
- English Language Development (L/S/R/W)
- Mathematics & Thematic/PSEL
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline or Education with a relevant specialization; recognized teacher certification.
- Successful experience teaching the subject in Early Years/Primary settings.
- Strong knowledge of child development, differentiation, and assessment for learning.
- Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills; ICT‑literate.
Desirable
- Experience in IB PYP and international schools.
- Experience supporting multilingual learners and students with additional needs
- Additional language ability; relevant performance/coaching credentials (e.g., ensemble directing, coaching certificates, first aid).
Personal Attributes
- Reflective, creative, and student‑centred; models professionalism and integrity.
- Inclusive, culturally responsive, and enthusiastic about building a vibrant specialist program.
- Solutions‑oriented team player who contributes positively to whole‑school life.
Note: This PYP specialist JD covers ECE2–Grade 5. Future programme phases (MYP/DP) will use this core with programme‑specific annexes (assessment criteria, course structures, and certification expectations).