OWIS Tsukuba Subject Specialist PYP Teacher– (Art, PE, Immersion Class) – PYP

OWIS Tsukuba Subject Specialist PYP Teacher– (Art, PE, Immersion Class)Reports to: Head of School & PYP CoordinatorLocation: OWIS Tsukuba (Japan) Ibaraki prefectureContract: 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/PSELQualifications & 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).