Literacy Curriculum Leader

Literacy Curriculum Leader

Position Purpose & Overview

The Literacy Curriculum Leader will be held for a 3-year term. The Literacy Curriculum Leader holds the responsibility for supporting Literacy course integration in the Primary Years Programme, assisting teachers to ensure they understand and collaborate on academic programmes, and adhering to the following academic policies and regulations:

• Provincial requirements
• School policies (Language, Assessment, Academic Integrity, Learning Support and Inclusion, etc.)
• IB Programme specific Policies and Procedures, Best Practices, etc.

Key Responsibilities

Budget

• In collaboration with the Junior School Vice-Principal, assist in planning the Literacy departmental budget process.
• Approve and organize resource orders.
• Ensure the Literacy Curriculum Leader budget is adhered to.

Inventories

• Undertake an inventory of common resources for the Literacy department every June.
• Maintain a library of teaching resources for teacher and student use.
• Ensure these resources are made known and available for new teachers.

Curriculum Meetings

• Attend all Literacy Curriculum Leader related meetings.
• Facilitate regular curricular area meetings and forward minutes to the respect Vice-Principal and Principal.
• Meet with the Junior School Vice-Principal/PYP Coordinator regularly.
• Attend weekly HOD/Curriculum Leader meetings, led by the Principal(s) and/or Vice-Principal(s).

Leading, Teaching, and Learning

• Endorse the school’s mission, vision, and values.
• Work with the Junior School Principal, Junior School Vice-Principal, and other relevant staff to create Literacy content to support Junior School students’ community building, wellbeing and healthy living, learning skills development, and social-emotional learning. 
• Lead on the creation of community time activities for the grades each week. 
• Assist faculty with finding professional development opportunities that are appropriate and aligned with curricular and school goals and needs.
• Maintain relevant understanding of and be active in using relevant and effective technology to enhance the Literacy program and activities.
• Coordinate with the facilities team as needed to support the implementation of Literacy related activities.

Broad Educational Leadership

• Contribute to continuum committees and school initiatives.
• Provide leadership beyond the school by participating in and sharing best practices in affiliated organizations (ISABC, CAIS, FISA, IBO, Ministry of Education).

Continuum

• Develop and record a scope and sequence of the Literacy activities in each grade through the year and identify any themes.
• Collaborate with the respective Head of Department in the Senior School
• Organize the facilities allocation and support the team in facilities management. 

Communication with Marketing and Advancement

• Communicate upcoming activities with the Marketing and Advancement departments.
• Communicate news of events and student achievements with the Marketing and Advancement departments.

Required Qualifications & Key Competencies

Education & Experience

• A valid BC Certification of Teaching.
• Completion of a Bachelor of Education degree.
• Knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate programmes.
• Experience and adept understanding of teaching PYP Literacy, and/or BC English Language Arts courses in a Junior School setting is an asset. 
• Knowledge of the PYP curriculum framework is considered an asset.

Key Skills & Competencies

• A motivated, adaptable, and enthusiastic team player.
• Commitment to inclusion and fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Dynamic ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate and pursue excellence in practice and professional growth.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Positive attitude, growth mindset, and strong emotional intelligence (EQ).
• Proficient in providing support for diverse learning needs.

This role will require working hours outside of school office hours: often evening events; occasionally going offsite to document student programs; and occasional morning and weekend commitments.

This job profile outlines the key responsibilities for the roles and is not meant to be exhaustive. This will include performing the administrative and related tasks or any other responsibilities required to reasonably meet the needs of St. John’s School, including, but not limited to the general duties outlined in the position profile. 

It should be understood that the activities, responsibilities and obligations of this position may be modified from time to time, through discussion between the direct supervisor and the employee, in order to effectively meet the requirements of the School. On rare occasions where there are urgent needs at the School, an employee may be assigned to temporarily backfill role(s) critical to the school’s operations and business continuity.

Job Information

• Annual stipend of $5,500.00. The stipend is paid out evenly throughout the school year.
• This is a 3-year stipend position.

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: Junior School Principal and Junior School Vice-Principal
• Direct Reports: N/A
• Department: Junior School
• Key Interactions:
  • External: Parents and ISABC network colleagues.
  • Internal: Faculty, non-teaching employees, School Principals, and Vice-Principals.

Application Instructions

All interested candidates should email a one-page letter of intent to Catriona Cheng, Director of Finance and Human Resources, at hr@sjs.ca.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

St. John’s School is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We believe that diversity of backgrounds, identities, lived experiences, and perspectives strengthens our school community and enriches learning for our students.

Our commitment to equity and inclusion aligns with the values of the International Baccalaureate, including respect, intercultural understanding, and global citizenship.

St. John’s School is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process, and reasonable accommodations are available upon request throughout all stages of hiring.