go back
job header image

Science Department Chair & Chemistry Teacher

school
Shenzhen Vanke Meisha Academy
location
Shenzhen, China
salary
US 4220 - 5070 a month
housing
Housing allowance provided on a monthly basis
airfair
Annual airfare reimbursement of up to USD 3,000
Start date
Start August 2020
2 years
1
  • High School
  • Director/Principal, Licensed Teacher, College/University Faculty
  • Bachelor
  • 5 years of teaching experience
  • STEM
  • Teaching Credential/License

Personal characteristics

  • Committed to the learning and growth of students and teachers
  • Sharing good practices with colleagues, leading by example and promoting high standards in the delivery of the curriculum
  • Being fully involved with the life of the school both inside and outside the classroom
  • Modeling the highest standards of professional practice and interaction with students
  • Inspiring and motivating the School community towards high educational standards
  • Understanding, applying and sharing contemporary educational research, theory and practice in pedagogy, assessment and reporting
  • Demonstrating and sharing the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy in building trust and a positive learning atmosphere across the School community
  • Defining challenges clearly and seeks positive solutions, often in collaboration with others
  • Communicating, negotiating, collaborating and building partnerships effectively while relating to the whole school community
  • Understanding the different demographic groups within the VMA community and is able to work effectively with them
  • Developing strategies to ensure educational opportunity for all students and staff
  • Global health insurance
  • Relocation allowance
  • Annual airfare reimbursement of up to USD 3,000
  • Housing allowance provided on a monthly basis
  • Pension plan
  • Holiday and allowance and birthday benefit
  • Generous domestic and international professional development
  • China social insurance
  • 178 annual paid non-working days
  • Mandarin classes
  • Bilingual staff to assist with any needs

The Science Department Chair is key in providing leadership and preserving the instructional integrity of the department. The responsibility for the quality of instruction and the level of student success rests primarily on the classroom teacher, but the Department Chair, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Principal have the responsibility to assist the classroom teacher in achieving success.

The school is looking for a “highly qualified” individual with a science background who has comprehensive knowledge and expertise in the State Content Standards for Common Core, (California and other states who have adopted the new science standards), Next Generation Science Standards, Advanced Placement requirements in the sciences, and how to assess and evaluate student performance in attaining all standards. The Science Department Chair will provide expertise, guidance, coaching, leadership, and support to promote student success in mastering VMA’s standards and curriculum.

Given current department teaching needs, VMA will prioritize applicants that have a background in teaching chemistry.

 

Job Goals

  • To help department members understand VMA’s instructional goals and the pedagogy used to achieve those goals
  • To help new teachers acclimate to the demands of teaching in the science department
  • To represent the needs and interests of the science department at school meetings
  • To communicate and lead department initiatives as required by the administration
  • To lead departmental reflection on curriculum and teaching practices in the pursuit of excellence

 

Performance responsibilities

  • Serve as an instructional leader to promote effective teaching strategies to ensure student mastery of the science standards in the regular programs and in the AP programs for science
  • Assist the teachers in aligning curriculum units of study to meet the Next Generation Science Standards  (Could be California) and the AP Board Standards for the science courses
  •  Develop, distribute, and assist with the analysis of Common Formative Benchmark Assessments (CFBAs) in science and AP science exams to monitor student progress toward mastery of the Next Generation Content Standards and AP Science Standards with the Dean of Academic Affairs
  • Oversee Assessment of Student Performance and Progress programs and assist teachers in using data from these tests to set performance goals and/or adjust teaching objectives
  • Work with the department members at the beginning of school to understand and establish specific class goals related to the frameworks for the various science courses
  • Work to establish uniform grading practices and inter-rater reliability – rubrics where appropriate
  • Develop study guides and model lesson plans in a standardized format to post on the school website
  • Work with the department members to plan and monitor data team meetings
  • Work with the department members to share best practices in an organized collaborative format
  • Teach a set amount of science periods with non-teaching periods to assume chair responsibilities
  • Promote and monitor the appropriate use of instructional materials including videos
  • Participate in the interview and selection of teachers and to recommend class schedules
  • To assist in the interviews and selection of new teachers and provide input on retention
  • Survey department members regarding assignment preferences and present information to the administration with recommendations 

 

Leadership Duties

  • Assist in the development of new course outlines aligned to the CA Next Generation Science Standards and AP Board Standards for chemistry, physics, and biology in the future
  • Assist in the implementation of new and existing course outlines
  •  Support a positive learning environment for the science classes
  • Assist in the master schedule and teacher assignments within the department
  • Assist in assessing professional development needs of members of the department including development, distribution, and collection of an institutional professional development survey
  • Assist department members in the Advanced Placement course audit procedures
  • Promote high expectations with all members of the department
  • Represent department positions and concerns at to the Dean of Academic Affairs and Principal
  • To convene meetings with the department members
  • To attend leadership meetings
  • To represent the department at parents’ meetings
  •  Identify and recommend possible solutions to school/department problems
  • Assist in the selection, ordering and distribution of textbooks, equipment and instructional materials and supplies as appropriate to the department and the Academic Affairs’s direction
  • Assist in the adoption of new textbooks aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards and AP Science Frameworks
  • Assist in the ordering and distribution of department supplies, equipment, and textbook
This is a Direct to School Job
This is a Direct to School Job

Introduction to Vanke Meisha Academy:

Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) is a private, international, bilingual boarding high school that contributes to the betterment of society by cultivating respectful, responsible, highly skilled leaders ready to be of service to the world.  Excellent teachers and a proactive counseling program deliver an innovative curriculum, emphasize academic achievement, impart healthy habits, and inspire student engagement and both interpersonal and emotional growth.  Committed to maximizing every community member's potential, we support over 70 student-run organizations and generously fund faculty professional growth.  We are proud to announce that, as a result of our efforts, we were fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)!  

Our 653,000-square-foot state-of-the-art campus is in the clean and beautiful beach resort district of Shenzhen, China.  The campus offers clean air and an impeccable natural environment in addition to gym facilities and beach access.  Furthermore, we are less than 30 minutes away from the bustling global metropolis of Hong Kong, and approximately 20 minutes away from the Shenzhen city center.

About the Curriculum:

VMA offers three major curriculum programs: Sino-US Integrated Curriculum (US Track), Sino-UK Integrated Curriculum (UK Track), and VMAA Curriculum (VMAA, namely Vanke Meisha Arts Academy). Students in the three programs can apply to universities all over the world for further study, not just in one country or region.

About Shenzhen:

Shenzhen, known as "China's Silicon Valley," is a large, young, and vibrant city with a burgeoning technology industry that promises continued economic growth. Despite its relative youth, the city is a bustling global metropolis with its stock exchange, highly developed and accessible public transportation, a growing population of accomplished, sophisticated, and motivated ex-pats, and access to all Western amenities including food and nightlife. Furthermore, Shenzhen is located only 30 minutes away from the global financial and cultural metropolis of Hong Kong, one of the most developed cities in the world. Together, the Shenzhen and Hong Kong international airports offer you easy access to all of Asia. VMA is located in Dameisha, the beach resort section of Shenzhen, which promises clean air, low traffic congestion, and a fantastic living experience.

 

This is a Direct to School Job
This is a Direct to School Job
Please note that Teach Away provides information on behalf of schools and cannot accept liability for information provided or policies schools may adopt. Be sure to verify all details that apply to you, and check for the latest visa and work permit requirements. For any questions regarding job postings, please contact the school directly. Teach Away believes in diversity and inclusivity, and that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and be considered fairly and equally for employment. We ensure all schools we work with adhere to our pledge to promote inclusivity and diversity in education and recruitment practices.

Similar Jobs

Beijing Haidian Kaiwen Academy Beijing, China License required
Start in August, 2024
Beijing Haidian Kaiwen Academy Beijing, China License required
Start in August, 2024

Primary Teacher

KL International School Chongqing, China License required
Start in August, 2024
Kang Chiao International School Kunshan Campus Kunshan Suzhou, China License required
Ongoing
BASIS International Schools Guangming, China
Start in August, 2024