Head of Performing Arts

Bishkek International School is a non-profit community school providing excellent international education in a safe, supportive and friendly environment. The school opened in September 2011 and now has 380 students from ages 2 to 18. Fifty percent of our students are American, Asian, and European citizens, children of employees of embassies, international organizations, and international business or NGOs. Fifty percent of students are Kyrgyz citizens. The school welcomes all students regardless of ability, gender, ethnicity, language, or religious belief, and everyone is encouraged to take part in all school activities. BIS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on International Education. As an IB World School we offer the IB Diploma Programme, IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Primary
Years Programme (PYP). We are also a Cambridge International School, with Cambridge Assessment International Education accreditation for the IGCSE program.

Roles & Responsibilities
Head of Performing Arts (3 TPE - Teaching Period Equivalent. Note that 30 TPE = full time)

• Promote and develop performing arts education in the school at all grade levels.
• Oversee the professional standards and behaviour of departmental staff.
• Staff appraisal, mentoring, and support to teachers in the department.
• Ensure coherence of teaching approaches and curriculum used in the subject areas.
• Coordination, as required, between teachers in the department subject areas.
• Review of department resource needs and timely presentation of needs to the High School Principal.
• Carefully manage any delegated budget for the Department.
• Ensure the maintenance, safety, and safe use of equipment used in the Department.
   

Performance Director for Key Events (2 TPE)
Create, plan, organise and direct musical and drama performances by the school, including the Anniversary Show in the National Philarmonic Hall.
 

Music and/or Drama Teaching (up to 22 TPE)
Develop, deliver, and assess Music and/or Drama education in the IB Primary Years Programme, MiddleYears Programme, Cambridge IGCSE Programme and/or IB Diploma Programme (as required according to teacher allocations and student needs)
 

Both music and drama education should:

• Incorporate body movement, character development, theatrical technique, improvisation, and playwriting, in an interdisciplinary curriculum model.
• Ensure students are exposed to a variety of dramatic and musical forms
• Provide opportunities for students to experience a wide variety of musical and dramatic approaches from different times, cultures, and places and, where possible, access live music and theatre performances and presentations.
• Align classroom learning and teaching to PYP, MYP, IGCSE, and DP approaches, as appropriate.
• Create an engaging classroom environment that motivates students to learn and ensures all student expectations are high.
• Provide a positive learning environment for each student and inspire students to expand their understanding and enjoyment of the subjects taught.
• Differentiate instruction to meet the individual needs of each student to be socially and academically successful, having regard to the abilities and aptitudes of individuals.
• Enhance lessons by incorporating technology into the teaching program and be creative in working with limited resources.
• Use a wide range of assessment methods to ensure student knowledge and understanding are appropriately recorded.
• Provide individual tutoring for students who need support to progress in their course.
• Be an exemplary teacher, demonstrating effective planning, teaching, and organization, and high student achievement and behavior in lessons.
• Collaborate with other teachers to ensure a consistent approach to learning and achievement of standards for each group.
• Work with Programme Coordinators to produce relevant planning documents and attend relevant Programme meetings.
• Plan, keep, and report appropriate records to school management and parents.

Other Responsibilities

• Supervise Extended Essay Students for the IB Diploma (as required, according to student needs and teacher allocations).
• Supervise relevant Community Service and CAS projects for High School students (as required, according to student needs and teacher allocations).
• Organise and lead extra-curricular activities and student engagement to promote positive interactions among students of all ages and develop their academic, creative and sporting potential.

General

• Maintain knowledge of current educational theory and practice and undertake professional training in liaison with the High School Principal.
• Act by the budgets, policies, procedures, directions, and decisions of the school management
• Act as an ambassador for the school and act in a manner that upholds the values and ethos of the school at all times
• Maintain high-quality standards in all areas of the school
• Any other activities as agreed with management to contribute to the overall development of the school.

Reporting
Report to the High School Principal

Timing & Duration

The position is available starting 14 August 2023. This is a full-time long-term position with an initial contract of two or three years (subject to 3 months of probation) which will be renewable by mutual consent.