Middle & High School Teacher Librarian (August 2027)

Position: Middle & High School Teacher Librarian (to begin August 2027)

Reports to: Director of Learning

About Canadian Academy: 

Canadian Academy is a not-for-profit, secular, gender-inclusive international school located in Kobe, Japan’s seventh largest city. CA is accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), is an authorized three-programme International Baccalaureate World School, and is a member of TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools).  While most of the 690 students at CA are day students, our campus is also home to a small High School boarding program with a current enrollment of 40 students in Grades 9-12.

Canadian Academy faculty and staff inspire minds and nurture compassion by providing a rich and engaging programme that develops students’ skills, promotes curiosity and love of learning, and prioritizes well-being. All students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6-10, and most students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 & 12, although 10-20% each year opt for a more personalized pathway to graduation that includes a mix of DP and other courses and leads to a CA Diploma. 

Position Overview

Canadian Academy seeks a dynamic, student-centered educator to serve as a Middle and High School Teacher Librarian. This role will also include a teaching assignment (2-3 sections), aligned with the successful candidate’s experience and interests, and with school needs. For the right candidate, EE Coordination may make up part of the assignment. 

This position combines instructional leadership in research, literacy, and information fluency with stewardship of a vibrant, student-centered library and learning space. The Teacher Librarian plays a key role in supporting inquiry, fostering a culture of reading, and partnering with faculty to design rich, authentic learning experiences across the curriculum. The Middle and High School Teacher Librarian works very closely with the Elementary School Teacher Librarian, collaborating on programs and expectations in a shared space. 

Key Responsibilities

Teacher Librarian 

Instructional Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with teachers across Middle and High School to design and co-teach inquiry-based units that integrate research, media literacy, and critical thinking
• Support the development of students’ information literacy skills, including research, source evaluation, academic integrity, and ethical use of information
• Collaborate with IB coordinators and faculty to support major research and writing milestones (e.g., Personal Project, Extended Essay, and other inquiry-based assessments)

Program Development

• Lead the ongoing development of a cohesive library program aligned with CA’s Definition of High-Quality Learning and IB frameworks
• Curate and maintain a diverse, inclusive, and engaging library collection that reflects student interests and global perspectives
• Promote reading for pleasure, intellectual curiosity, and a culture of inquiry across the school

Student Support

• Provide direct support to students in research, writing, and project-based learning
• Create an inclusive, welcoming library environment that fosters belonging and engagement

Library Operations, Facilities, and Resources

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Middle and High School library as a dynamic, flexible learning space
• Co-manage a shared library budget, including planning, prioritization, and procurement of physical and digital resources
• Curate and maintain collections (print and digital), ensuring relevance, diversity, and alignment with curricular needs
• Oversee library systems, including cataloging, circulation, and digital resource platforms
• Ensure that library facilities are well-organized, accessible, and responsive to student and teacher use, including flexible configurations for classes, independent study, and collaborative work
• Work with operations and IT teams to support the ongoing development and effective use of the library as a central hub for learning

Classroom Teaching 

• Teach 2-3 sections (MYP or DP) in an area aligned with the candidate’s expertise and interest, and with school needs
• Design and deliver engaging, student-centered learning experiences aligned with CA’s teaching and learning principles
• Use assessment to support student growth and provide timely, meaningful feedback
• Contribute to curriculum development and collaboration within the relevant subject area

All Canadian Academy teachers are expected to:

• Develop a classroom environment that builds positive relationships and fosters an ethic of care
• Design, prepare and deliver learning activities that facilitate authentic engagement
• Identify and select instructional resources and methods to meet students' varying needs 
• Use relevant technology to enhance instruction and learning
• Design and implement a range of authentic formative and summative assessments, providing appropriate and timely feedback to students
• Maintain accurate and complete records of students' progress for the purposes of teaching, learning and reporting
• Enthusiastically contribute to co-curricular programming (as a club supervisor, coach, etc.) and outdoor education experiences 
• Participate in faculty and parent meetings and special events
• Model respectful and timely communication with students, colleagues and parents
• Attend professional development workshops as required by the school
• Endorse the school’s guiding statements   

Required Qualifications:

• MLS/MLIS degree or similar equivalent qualification and experience
• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a school librarian or in a similar role in a middle and/or high  school setting
• Must be eligible to obtain a visa to work in Japan
• Must have a teaching certification and/or relevant academic qualification 

Preferred Experience and Qualities (in no particular order):

• 5+ years of relevant teaching and librarianship experience 
• Knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate programmes 
• Demonstrated ability to support the diverse learning needs of students in a class and to collaborate effectively with Learning Support and EAL specialists
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for connecting with students beyond the classroom, through athletics, co-curriculars, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong organizational, communication, administrative and interpersonal skills

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be submitted through BambooHR, our online application portal.

Interested candidates should prepare and upload an updated resume. In lieu of a cover letter, please submit a short video introduction (via an unlisted YouTube link) that covers: 

• A brief introduction of yourself 
• Why you’re interested in this role 
• Why you believe you’d be a good fit, based on your experience 

Please share your video link on Bamboo in the “Website, Blog or Portfolio” field. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment 

In order to provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural, international student population, Canadian Academy actively seeks to recruit teachers from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in international school faculties. You are warmly encouraged to apply and invited to reach out for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.