POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, English Language and Literature, Linguistics or similar relevant degree and a recognized Teaching Qualification/License.
• Additional qualifications in literacy foundational skills and effective interventions for older students will be advantageous.

EXPERIENCE:

• A minimum of 5 years successful teaching experience working in recognized school / international school environments preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience and proven track record of delivering impact in a leadership or management role.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Taaleem teacher embodies, radiates, and transmits the unique Taaleem ethos of excellence, innovation, creativity, and compassion. Through inspirational teaching, with a deep understanding of students’ individual learning needs and the Dubai Schools values of Future Ready, Trust and Empathy, Collaboration and Inclusion, Cultural Preservation, and Academic Excellence, the Dubai Schools teacher strives to ensure that our distinctive curriculum programs lay firm foundations for academic and professional success, personal and spiritual fulfillment, and a love of lifelong learning in every one of our students. Dubai Schools and Taaleem Teachers inspire young minds.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leaderships:

• Serves as a coordinator and facilitator of literacy across the curriculum instructional content, with high-level expertise and ability to adapt according to the school’s needs.
• Demonstrates expertise, trains others, and oversees the effective development of beginning reading skills, phonics, and phonological awareness across the school to close attainment gaps.
• Drives consistency and effectiveness of core literacy instructional strategies across both Arabic and English medium subjects.
• Conducts needs assessments and analyzes student and school data at key points in the year, and over time, to determine literacy areas requiring emphasis and support.
• Provides consultative expertise to leaders and teachers, reflecting the full range of evidenced student needs.
• Works collaboratively with representatives from partner organizations to oversee and facilitate the implementation and management of literacy across the curriculum initiatives, including the Reading for Pleasure initiative.
• Works collaboratively with Literacy Across the Curriculum Coordinators across Dubai Schools to improve the quality and consistency of literacy instruction.
• Promotes a love of reading culture across the school through leadership of different initiatives.
• Assists the Principal, Elementary Principal and Middle/High School Principal, and Associate Principal (Curriculum) with literacy policy development and overall effectiveness of the program.
• Leads on the development of parent workshop opportunities which engage parents to be active partners in the development of core literacy skills in Arabic and English.
• Oversees the functioning of the library and supports the procurement of books and library resources.

Teaching

• Uses allocated student contact time to model best practice in literacy instruction, support staff professional development and pilot new approaches and resources.
• Leads, coordinates and delivers targeted interventions which result in accelerated student progress and contribute to the closing of the attainment gap.
• Leads, coordinates and delivers enrichment activities for students who are above proficiency in Arabic and English Language in partnership with the Lead for Gifted & Talented/More Able

Continuing Professional Development

• Keeps under review colleagues’ methods of literacy instruction and program of work.
• Leads on the development and delivery of professional development events and resources that reflect the latest research, standards, and policy in literacy instruction.
• Conducts and stays abreast of subject area research to remain current with the latest developments in literacy and works collaboratively in sharing these resources.
• Participates in arrangements for her/his further training and professional development as a teacher.

Curriculum Development

• Leads and manages literacy across the curriculum resource development.
• Embeds UAE heritage and culture within the literacy curriculum.
• Oversees the vertical alignment of the English and Arabic curricular approaches to ensure consistency of the student experience.

As a broad guideline, the time allocation to fulfil the varied responsibilities of the role will include:

• 50% monitoring, mentoring, and coaching staff across all subjects on literacy across the curriculum instructional strategies.
• 30% direct student contact time through teaching and the delivery of interventions, as outlined above.
• 10% focused on parental engagement and professional development.
• 10% partnership working and development.