AP Psychology Teacher

Job Description

Introduction to Vanke Meisha Academy:

Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) is a private, international, bi-lingual 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.  As we aggressively pursue WASC accreditation in only our third year of operation, we have so far retained over 95% of our faculty and staff.  Finally, with plans to build approximately 100 K-12 campuses in the coming years, we will be seeking not only world-class classroom teachers, but also talented, devoted administrators to fill a variety of director, coordinator, dean, assistant principal, and principal positions, and our commitment to internal promotion ensures extensive opportunities for career advancement and leadership.

REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic Affairs and/or Principal

JOB GOALS:

1.       To instill in students a high regard for studying psychology in order to advance their understanding of the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings

2.       To develop in each student an appreciation of and deep enduring understanding of how humans think and the way in which humans arrive at decisions or behaviors

3.       To foster an appreciation in students that a fundamental knowledge of psychology is necessary for them to understand the complex mental processes that dictate human actions and this knowledge can be used to unlock behavioral patterns and opens the door for potential treatment of mind related disorders

4.       To instill a desire in students to further investigate the wonders of science by applying their understanding of human behavior to numerous situations and use their knowledge in everyday life

5.       To develop students’ mastery of the AP psychology content and to focus on applying their knowledge, critical thinking and reasoning skills in order to grasp the emotional drives behind human actions

6.       To provide optimum opportunities for students to develop their communication skills by recording evidence of their research into the various theoretical approaches through verbal, written, and graphic presentations

7.       To provide a rich advanced placement curriculum that encourages both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in psychology and in their personal development

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.       Uses the most recent AP Psychology Curriculum Framework to develop and deliver curriculum aligned to the fourteen major content areas in the framework

2.       Builds lessons based on preparing students for college and career success which include exposing students to psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology

3.       Designs units that advance students’ inquiry and reasoning skills as they engage in scientific methods to investigate questions, discover relationships between different variables, and arrive at conclusions

4.       Creates student based lessons to explore ways to improve social interactions as well becoming more adept at recognizing and addressing emotional hardships, empathizing with those struggling with a difficult dilemma, and building stronger conflict resolution skills

5.       Uses a variety of instructional strategies such as demonstrations, discussions, lectures, presentations in order to assist students in developing logical, critical, and creative thinking skills, drawing conclusions, solving problems, achieving improved interpersonal relationships, and making value judgments

6.       Uses formative assessments, and other types of multiple measures to assess student learning and make instructional decisions and adjustments

7.       Provides individual and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of students with varying intellectual abilities, attitudes, and cultural backgrounds

8.       Prepares students to successfully pass the AP Psychology exam

9.       Collaborates with other teachers as required by administration

10.    Maintains standards of student behavior to provide an orderly and productive classroom environment

11.    Maintains professional competence through extended training

12.    Participates in the AP Course Audit that confirms awareness and understanding of the curricular and resource requirements

13.    Selects and uses appropriate textbooks, instructional aids, technology, and maintains required inventory records

14.    Communicates with parents and school counselors on student progress

15.    Identifies pupil needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in helping students solve health, attitude, and learning problems

16.    Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the assigned work day

17.    Participates in curriculum and other developmental programs

18.    Participates in faculty committees and the sponsorship of student activities

19.    Participates cooperatively with the appropriate administrator to develop the method by which he/she will be evaluated in conformance with academy guidelines

20.    Performs other duties that may be assigned by the principal or the academy

Location: Shenzhen , China

Start Date: August 2018

Contract Length: 1 Year Minimum  

Student Level: Gr. 10, Gr. 11, Gr. 12

Requirements

1.       Required Certificates: Teaching Credential/License

2.       Education Required: Bachelor

3.       Minimum Teaching Experience: 2 Years

4.       Major: Psychology, Education, or other Social Science preferred

5.       PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Is ethical and respectful;

6.       Holds a high regard for professionalism and maintains a professional demeanor

7.       Communicates effectively using excellent oral and written skills

8.       Structures a learning environment that is motivating and engages students in the learning

9.       Possesses strong inter-personal and problem – solving skills;

10.    Prepares and completes reports and other required documents in a timely manner

11.    Reaches out to parents to include them in their child’s educational experiences

12.    PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Must be able to bend, stoop, reach, lift and stand for prolonged periods; see to read fine print and for depth perception; use hands and fingers to perform tasks; speak clearly and hear well enough to communicate effectively.

Benefits

1.       Monthly Salary: USD 3670 – 4520

2.       Monthly housing allowance of USD $730

3.       Tax-free salary for first three years of employment (depending on country of citizenship)

4.       Visa application assistance and reimbursement

5.       Annual flight compensation

6.       Airport Pickup

7.       Monthly daycare reimbursement stipend

8.       Retirement pay

9.       Health and welfare benefits

10.    Holiday travel allowance

11.    International health insurance

12.    Housing that meets western standards of comfort

13.    Excellent bilingual support staff

14.    Extensive professional development opportunities and funding

15.    Chinese official holidays and many U.S. official holidays