Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation
American International School of Cape Town (South Africa)

December 13, 2018


Dear Colleagues and Friends,

On behalf of the Search Committee at the American International School of Cape Town, I am pleased to announce that after a worldwide search that produced over 60 highly qualified candidates, Ms. Jodi Lake has been appointed as the new Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation to begin in July 2019.

Ms. Lake is currently the Director of Teaching and Learning at the International School of Kenya (ISK). During her 11 years at ISK, Ms. Lake led all aspects of the learning process, including implementing a standards-based model for curriculum design, developing and implementing a revised assessment policy, revising the ISK teacher growth and appraisal system and facilitating the faculty professional growth program. She also worked collaboratively to define, implement and assess 21st century dispositional skills.  Prior to ISK, Ms. Lake was the curriculum coordinator at Escuela Campo Alegre in Caracas, Venezuela and a teacher at the Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan and Colegio Americano de Torreon in Torreon, Mexico. She has spent the past 35 years in international education.
Ms. Lake earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education at Northern Arizona University and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Michigan State University. She also holds a Certificate of International School Leadership from the Principals Training Center. In addition to her education, Ms. Lake is a key member the Association of International Schools in Africa Professional Learning Design Team, which works with international schools across the African region to design training and support for teachers. 
The AISCT’s Search Committee would like to thank all candidates who expressed interest in the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation position, and to everyone who assisted and supported the search process.


Sincerely,


Dr. Daniel Jubert
Headmaster
American International School of Cape Town

Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation

DIRECTOR OF TEACHING, LEARNING, AND INNOVATION SEARCH ANNOUNCMENT:

The American International School of Cape Town seeks a Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation to begin July 2019.

The AISCT community is seeking applications from individuals motivated to advance best practices and foster teaching excellence. The Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation needs to be able to serve a diverse and transient community. It is essential that the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation is able to manage the inherent challenges while still maintaining the personal and intimate approach in-line with the culture of the school. In addition, as a member of the School Leadership Team, the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation will be a key driver in the refinement and implementation of the school’s strategic vision.

SCHOOL DESCRIPTION:

The American International School of Cape Town (AISCT) is a private, not-for-profit co-educational institution with 500 students from over 50 countries ranging in age between 2 and 18 years. AISCT is located on 12-acres in the heart of Constantia Hills, with Table Mountain National Park towering in the background. The school is divided into four sections: Early Childhood Development (ECD), Elementary, Middle, and High School.

The school follows the American curriculum and offers the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. Foreign language instruction in French and Spanish begins in Grade 1. Following the northern hemisphere calendar, the school year begins in August and ends in June. The school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:50 p.m. After-school activities take place between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m.

AISCT is endorsed as an independent school by the Western Cape Department of Education and is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) based in California, USA. AISCT is also a proud member of the Association of International Schools in Africa and the International School Foundation. Graduates from AISCT receive a USA High School Diploma and gain access to universities around the world, with USA, Canada, UK, Europe, and South Africa the most popular destinations.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation is responsible to the Headmaster, in collaboration with divisional Principals, for the development, implementation and oversight of curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment in all school divisions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in education and/or Educational Administration, minimum Master’s Degree preferably a Doctorate in Education.
• Successful administrative experience at a senior level in school leadership in a PreK – 12 setting and in related areas of professional development for faculty and staff, group facilitation, strategic planning, and recruitment.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• A strong understanding and knowledge of leadership practices in international schools
• Experience in a dynamic and energetic school, which is constantly monitoring the educational program, enrollment capacity, staffing, and facilities
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, students, parents, and community members
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to adapt and assimilate to our school’s collaborative and dynamic culture and appreciate the host country culture
• Proven skills in strategic planning, international accreditation process, and establishing relationships and networks within the international education community
• Proven skills and abilities as a visionary who demonstrates leadership, resourcefulness, flexibility and creativity in identifying innovative solutions
• A strong understanding and experience of general curriculum and current theories and practice of pedagogy and assessment, including Understanding by Design (UbD)
• A skillful and experienced coach
• Training and experience in the Common Core curriculum and the College Board Advanced Placement Program
• Ability to conduct productive meetings which encourage cognitive conflict and facilitate collaborative learning focused dialogues

REPORTS TO: Headmaster

SUPERVISES: Key leadership personnel in the school, including other Directors and Coordinators

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation will work closely with the Headmaster, Principals, and School Leadership Team to:

• Embrace, articulate, and model the AISCT Mission and Vision
• Provide leadership and work collaboratively with Principals, Coordinators, and Teachers in developing and implementing the educational program and strategic plan
• Lead and coordinate ECD/Elementary/Middle/High School curriculum review, development and implementation, and monitoring
• Assist the school with data analysis regarding the effectiveness of educational programs and student performance
• Recommend to the Headmaster and Principals the addition of new courses, grade placement, credit allowance, and graduation requirements
• Study, evaluate, and, as appropriate, recommend to the Headmaster and Principals the adoption of new instructional materials, methods, and programs
• Keep abreast of current research in relevant areas of teaching and learning and curriculum development
• Facilitate and develop positive, efficient, and effective communication and relationships in a complex environment with the various constituents of the community including the Board, School Council, parents, students, and staff, as well as the international school network at large
• Facilitate, in collaboration with Learning Support, the planning and implementation of the educational program for English Language Learners, special education and enrichment
• Facilitate, in collaboration with Service Learning Coordinator, the planning and implementation of the Service Learning curriculum and activities 
• Schedule and organize grade-level teams and departments in order to affect horizontal and vertical articulation of the educational program
• Keep abreast of current trends and developments in ECD/Elementary/Middle/High School education and initiate/lead/plan/support professional development opportunities as appropriate, and as related to the school’s strategic plan
• Continue the development of a high quality Professional Learning Program that addresses the schools’, divisions’ and individuals’ needs
• Take responsibility for all school professional development programs (organization of professional in-service days, in-house workshops, conferences, and presenters)
• Develop professional learning resources, keep faculty informed of relevant opportunities, and assist faculty in pursuing professional learning opportunities
• Act as a leader in professional learning, presenting workshops to faculty and other audiences where appropriate
• Assume responsibility for reviewing and evaluating results of standardized testing programs, or other evaluative measures used by the school
• Chair the WASC Accreditation Committee
• Demonstrate continued professional growth through participation in professional activities and organizations
• Assist Headmaster in recruitment of new personnel as required

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. Benefits include housing, airfare allowance, health, life and long-term disability insurance, relocation allowance, a generous retirement contribution, school-provided vehicle, and tuition benefits for ECD-12 school age dependents.

Candidates wishing to learn more about the American International School of Cape Town should visit www.aisct.org

Application Process:

Interested candidates should send an application no later than Monday 19 November 2018. Candidates should note that, in the event an outstanding applicant is identified early in the search process, AISCT reserves the right to make an appointment before the deadline mentioned above and to bring the search to a close.

Candidates should email the information requested below as a single document in PDF format to Dr. Daniel Jubert at employment@aisct.org. The subject line should read Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation Application and the applicant’s name. The application should include:

• Cover letter of application
• Photograph
• Résumé, not to exceed two-pages
• Educational philosophy detailing beliefs in reference to learning and leading
• A list of references (at least three) - the list should include their names, positions, current email addresses, and the current Superintendent/Director of your present school

Attention: If you apply for this position, please inform the school and us (Admin@searchassociates.com) that you saw the notice on the Search Associates website.