Position Overview

SISU School of Ulaanbaatar is seeking a qualified, enthusiastic, and student-centered Middle & High School English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher to teach students in Grades 6–11

The ELA Teacher will be responsible for planning and delivering high-quality English Language Arts instruction aligned with the American Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The teacher will support students in developing strong skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, vocabulary, grammar, research, critical thinking, and literary analysis while preparing them for increasingly advanced academic study.

The successful candidate should be able to create an engaging, inclusive, and academically rigorous learning environment that encourages students to become confident readers, writers, communicators, and independent thinkers.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching & Learning

• Plan and deliver engaging ELA lessons aligned with the Common Core State Standards for Grades 6–12.
• Develop students' skills across the four major ELA areas:
• • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking & Listening
  • Language
• Teach a balanced range of literary and informational texts, including novels, short stories, poetry, drama, essays, articles, speeches, and nonfiction.
• Develop students' ability to closely read and analyze increasingly complex texts.
• Teach students to identify themes, central ideas, author's purpose, point of view, structure, tone, literary devices, and use of language.
• Require students to support interpretations and arguments with relevant textual evidence.
• Develop students' academic vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and effective use of language.
• Encourage critical thinking, creativity, independent inquiry, and meaningful classroom discussion.

Writing & Research

• Teach students to produce clear and well-structured:
• • Argumentative writing
  • Informative/explanatory writing
  • Narrative writing
  • Literary analysis
  • Research-based writing
• Guide students through the full writing process, including planning, drafting, revising, editing, proofreading, and publishing.
• Teach students how to develop strong claims and support arguments with appropriate reasoning and evidence.
• Develop students' research skills, including evaluating sources, gathering relevant information, citing evidence, and avoiding plagiarism.
• Provide regular, constructive feedback to improve students' academic writing.

Speaking, Listening & Communication

• Develop students' confidence in formal and informal communication.
• Facilitate classroom discussions, debates, presentations, collaborative activities, and seminars.
• Teach students to communicate ideas clearly and support their viewpoints with evidence.
• Develop active listening and respectful discussion skills.
• Provide opportunities for students to present information using appropriate digital and multimedia resources.

Assessment & Student Progress

• Design and administer appropriate formative and summative assessments aligned with CCSS learning objectives.
• Assess students through essays, examinations, projects, presentations, discussions, research assignments, and other performance-based tasks.
• Maintain accurate records of student achievement and progress.
• Use assessment data to identify learning gaps and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Provide timely and constructive feedback to students.
• Prepare progress reports and report cards according to SISU School policies.
• Communicate student progress and academic concerns with parents and school leadership when required.

Differentiation & Student Support

• Differentiate instruction according to students' academic readiness, English proficiency, learning needs, and abilities.
• Provide additional support for students who require intervention while appropriately challenging advanced learners.
• Collaborate with learning support, special education, counseling, and academic staff when necessary.
• Establish clear learning expectations and support students in becoming responsible and independent learners.

Curriculum Planning & Collaboration

• Develop annual, term, and unit plans based on the American Common Core curriculum.
• Ensure appropriate progression of ELA knowledge and skills across Grades 6–12.
• Select age-appropriate and academically rigorous texts and learning materials.
• Collaborate with other teachers to strengthen literacy across the curriculum.
• Participate actively in curriculum review, moderation, assessment analysis, and school improvement initiatives.
• Attend department meetings, professional development sessions, teacher training, and school-wide meetings.

Classroom & Student Management

• Establish a safe, respectful, inclusive, and academically focused classroom environment.
• Maintain high expectations for student learning, participation, behavior, and academic integrity.
• Apply SISU School's Student Behaviour Policy and safeguarding procedures consistently.
• Build positive and professional relationships with students while maintaining appropriate teacher-student boundaries.
• Address behavioral or academic concerns promptly and communicate them through appropriate school procedures.

School Community Responsibilities

• Serve as a positive professional role model for students.
• Participate in school events, assemblies, parent meetings, professional development, and extracurricular activities as required.
• Support SISU School's values, educational philosophy, policies, and school culture.
• Maintain professional and respectful communication with students, parents, colleagues, and school leadership.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding students, families, staff, and school matters.
• Perform other reasonable professional duties assigned by the Principal or Academic Director.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree or higher in English, English Literature, English Education, Secondary Education, or a closely related field.
• Recognized teaching qualification or teaching license/certification.
• Strong command of written and spoken English.
• Strong knowledge of English grammar, academic writing, literature, and literary analysis.
• Ability to plan standards-based lessons and assessments.
• Strong classroom management and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multicultural and international school environment.

Preferred

• Previous experience teaching Middle and/or High School ELA.
• Experience teaching the American Common Core State Standards (CCSS).
• Experience teaching Grades 9–12 English, college-preparatory English, or advanced literature and composition courses.
• Experience preparing students for standardized or external assessments.
• Experience working with multilingual or English-language-learning students.
• International school teaching experience.

Professional Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong subject knowledge and passion for English Language Arts
• High expectations for student achievement
• Effective classroom management
• Student-centered teaching practices
• Critical-thinking and inquiry-based instruction
• Effective differentiation
• Strong assessment and feedback practices
• Professionalism and reliability
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Cultural sensitivity and international-mindedness
• Commitment to continuous professional development
• Commitment to student wellbeing and safeguarding

SISU Teacher Expectations

All SISU teachers are expected to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, responsibility, and respect. Teachers are responsible not only for students' academic achievement but also for contributing to a positive school culture in which students feel safe, respected, challenged, and supported.

The Middle & High School ELA Teacher should inspire students to become thoughtful readers, effective writers, confident communicators, and critical thinkers who are prepared for further education and life beyond school.