The Middle School specialist will focus on the academic, social, and emotional wellbeing of students in Grades 6-8. The person should be able to teach a variety of subjects in order to help students develop their interests, gifts, and skills, focusing on collaborative group work, critical thinking, and problem solving. The Middle School specialist will value the unique features of a Middle School student’s development, and guide that process with an emphasis on ownership, responsibility, and personal organization and management. 

At Dakar Academy, qualified teachers invest their time and talents to design engaging lessons that bring content to life. We are looking for an experienced teacher to plan, organize, and implement an approved curriculum. Our ideal candidate will utilize differentiated instruction and varied teaching techniques to create an environment of learning that follows a North American curriculum. S/he should be passionate about their job and the subject they teach. The goal is for learners to understand—not only know—what they are being taught, as they set their feet on the path to lifelong learning.

Established in 1961 as Dakar’s first international school and a Christian educational institution, Dakar Academy’s vision is to produce well-rounded students, prepared for higher-level studies, whose Christian worldview permeates all aspects of their lives. To that end, we strive to care for each learner’s academic, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.

Objectives of this Role:

• Foster interdisciplinary learning, teaching, and instruction according to North American curriculum standards, and the educational needs and abilities of individuals and groups of learners
• Integrate Christian worldview into course activities and assessments
• Create a classroom culture that is welcoming, positive, and rigorous
• Plan, prepare, and teach lessons, promoting the general progress and well-being of individual learners and groups of learners
• Communicate, cooperate, and consult with all stakeholders
• Build knowledge by participating in professional development seminars
• Create content units using the Understanding by Design framework

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Utilize a wide variety of teaching methods to create differentiated opportunities for deep understanding for all learners
• Assess and evaluate learner growth; creating action plans on class-wide, group-wide, and individual basis in response to learner data 
• Assess, record, and report on development, progress, and behavior of learners
• Collaborate with the School Counselor, Assistant Principal, Principal, ESL Instructor, and Special Education Instructor (as needed) in providing learners with academic and social support.
• Attend staff devotions, weekly professional development, and other professional development days as scheduled

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Thorough knowledge of best practices and legal guidelines, and willingness to adhere to the school’s procedures and policies
• Excellent organization and communication skills
• Maintains confidentiality 
• Creative, positive, and energetic disposition
• Has a heart for student ministry

Preferred qualifications:

• State Teacher’s Certificate
• ACSI Certification