LOCATION: Kenya Office and Flying Kites Academy – Njabini
DEPARTMENT: Kenya Programs
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
POSITION STATUS: Teacher
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP: Reports to Deputy Head of School
GENERAL SUMMARY: The primary mission of the Flying Kites preschool is to provide orphaned and vulnerable children (the “students”) with an exemplary early childhood education centered on the CBC, Montessori integrated and consistent with the FKLA “whole child” model. The preschool teacher will fulfill her duties using his/her expertise in both the CBC and Montessori curriculum development, child development and Kenya education system regulations and requirements. The preschool teacher will in addition to teaching his/her subjects, promote genuine interest, enthusiasm and aim for a high standard of achievement for all pupils within their class and the school. They will be responsible to the Head of School for executing their teaching duties and responsibilities within the school.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: “Essential duties” are those that an individual must be able to perform with or without reasonable accommodation or additional staffing support.
The main functions are as follows:
Student Centric Responsibilities: Directly monitor and support student academic success and growth using an integrated model of both the CBCcurriculum & Montessori method.Ensure student compliance with academic deadlines, and provide ongoing assessment of student satisfaction, success, retention and progression.Develop and implement individualized plans to support academic and skill development goals, promote social confidence, and help maintain a growth mindset.Prepare all Preschool graduates for progression and transition to primary school.Develop, monitor and consistently provide high quality social, and support services.Serve as the primary organizational point-of-contact with their students and their families, mitigating and resolving issues, maintaining professionalism, and serving as a role model at all times. Monitoring and Assessment. Encourage high standards of work, behavior and dress in students. Look to reward achievements positively and implement, where necessary, appropriate sanctions.Be aware of friendship patterns, family structures, leisure interests, social development, problems at home/school and relationships with other students and staff.Develop and maintain accurate monitoring tools and prepare timely reports that effectively track progress and demonstrate desired outcomes.Serve as a contact with relevant FKLA leaders and teachers to track progress of preschool graduates and help identify/address potential barriers to success.Follow through concerns and issues about learning and effort when necessary with subject areas and parents, in consultation with the Head of School. Auxiliary Responsibilities Actively supervise students in Assemblies.Ensure school policies, Health and Safety and Fire Drill rules are explained and upheld.Be consistent and fair, and act as a mediator for the students in the schoolEncourage reading for pleasure and good study skills. General Responsibilities Liaise with the relevant persons concerning curriculum, schemes of work, teaching methods, etc.To provide as required by the school’s policies detailed schemes of work and weekly planning and evaluation outlines.Discuss students’ progress with parents and guardians, administrators and other professionals as necessary.To attend Parents Meetings and discuss the academic progress of his/her pupils.To perform duties, as requested by the Head of school, for supervising the pupils outside the classroom e.g. lunch/break and other duties etc.To “cover” for any colleague who cannot attend school for any reason and to provide a cover sheet for colleagues if unable to attend school.To provide a bright and pleasant working environment for the classroom.To put up attractive displays of children’s work in designated boards around the school.To maintain productive working habits and discipline in the classroom.Organise, attend and supervise school activities such as excursions, school concerts, camps and sporting events.To attend weekly Staff Meetings, professional development sessions as well as whole school meetings, and any other meetings that may be held.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS Education and Work Experience:
A Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education 4+ years’ experience in a Classroom environment, preferably as a form tutor. Must be trained and conversant with the Competency Based Curriculum Montessori Training and experience will be an added advantage
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Fluency in English and Swahili. Conversant with the Montessori method of education Well-developed and mature professional interpersonal skills; ability to interact effectively with children, teachers, parents, families, donors, partners and colleagues at all organizational levels. Ability to think critically and manage change in support of strategic growth. Excellent organizational, problem-solving and decision-making skills High level of knowledge in the educational and child development fields, including a deep understanding of the Kenya education system. Knowledge and high proficiency with computer applications. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with appropriate discretion. Ability to respond quickly and maintain composure in situations that impact the safety of children. Ability to exercise judgment and discretion when making independent decisions.
Additional Requirements:
An incident-free Children’s Check and National Police Check (Certificate of Good Conduct) is a strict condition of employment and must be provided at time of hire and updated on request, consistent with the organization’s risk management procedures. Consistent with the nature of this position, weekend and after-hours work is expected and required to meet organizational priorities. Occasional outside normal travel may be required. Additional responsibilities may be assigned to support coverage for domestic staff and other colleagues who are absent, on holiday or personal leave.
Working Conditions:
All Kenya-based positions are based in the Njabini office and subject to occasional interruptions in power and/or Internet access. All of our programs and objectives serve children from preschool through young adults. Our workplace is thus regularly accessed and impacted by children.
The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned and requirements may vary at the discretion of the organizational leader.
