Director of Teaching & Learning

Country Day is an international school at the heart of Costa Rica with outstanding US-accredited academics, and part of Nord Anglia family of premium schools worldwide.  On our sustainable campus and within our welcoming, diverse community, our students take the lead and pursue their passions.                                       

Our teachers focus on all aspects of our student’s growth, from Early Learning to 12th grade, to support their talents and aptitudes in the best ways, and this includes their personal, social, and emotional wellness. Our trips beyond the classroom, clubs, and activities across the arts, athletics, and community service shape your child’s character in connection with their academic interests. Students take the lead in their own learning at CDS, sharing their needs and goals as people, and carving out their own path.

Overall purpose:    The Director of Teaching & Learning coordinates the teaching and learning programs at CDS. This school-wide role contributes to the school’s success in achieving its mission in curriculum, instruction, professional development, quality assurance, and continuous improvement. The role reports to the General Director and works in collaboration with the Secondary and Primary Principals, department and grade level leads, NAE collaboration leads (MIT STEAM, Social Impact, Juilliard Performing Arts), Learning Support lead, Counselors, and faculty. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Curriculum – coordinate the academic and SEL (social-emotional learning) curricular programs; document the taught curriculum in Atlas Rubicon, maintaining benchmarks with contemporary, relevant standards; conduct a thorough, ongoing curriculum review cycle.
  
• Instruction – assist faculty in deploying research-based best practices for instruction and assessment in different subject areas and grade levels; contribute to staff supervision via instructional rounds and performance reviews; coordinate application of effective teaching methods for inclusion of students with learning differences. 
• Professional Development – lead and facilitate faculty professional development learning opportunities.  Develop professional development strategy for instructional staff in accordance with established school purpose.
• Quality Assurance – facilitate and monitor testing and academic outcomes, including MAP, PSAT, and AP programs; coordinate the MSA re-accreditation process and action plan; contribute to development and implementation of continuous school improvement and strategic planning. Lead NAE annual quality assurance self-assessment process.
• Assess strengths and challenges of the current educational program from grades K-12 from the viewpoint of maintaining a globally oriented, US-styled curriculum designed to develop our students in line with our Profile of the Graduate.
• Research, search, and review other schools’ Primary and Secondary programs, models and objectives
• Facilitate and lead the CDS Instructional Leadership Team comprised of house administrators and general director.  Create agendas for meetings and action plans for the ILT
• Aligning and continue revisions of K-12 scope and sequence and implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and other high-quality standards in other disciplines
• Track student growth over time to have the big picture of how students are performing in the Middle and High Schools, assist in assessing longitudinal data to inform instruction and make program changes as needed, and use data to provide teachers with constructive, actionable feedback targeted towards student learning and achievement. Lead data analysis process with the Instructional Leadership Team regularly and present General Director with complete student performance data analysis results and action plans
• In coordination with the Secondary Principal, make specific recommendations to the Director to strengthen the program in accordance with the goals of CDS’ Mission
• Lead professional development, by both developing and implementing workshops and by coaching one-on-one and grade level or departmental teams.
• Coordinate and work with the K-12 and other school leaders/experts on school-wide PD initiatives
• Maintains a positive, supportive working relationship among all staff members particularly when initiating and implementing change strategies
• Works effectively with the administration, responding well to direction and requests, and supports the school’s strategic plans and goals
• Establish and attend grade-level regular planning meetings and have regular follow-ups with the Primary and Secondary Principals.
• Observe classes, serve as an expert curriculum/instruction resource, and provide collaborative, constructive feedback, advice, and direction. Co- teach, model/guide class lessons when supporting teachers developing new strategies or program.
• Collaborate with administrators and teachers in planning after-school staff meetings to ensure a component of professional development regularly. Liaise with the Ed Tech professional to support teachers with their technological needs, research or new programs to include technology as a part of teaching curriculum.
• Work to refine our curriculum maps and collaborate with the teachers to develop culturally relevant and globally conscious units of study.
• Keep current in education through personal and school based professional learning
• Engage with leadership in a committed effort to improve one's own instructional skills.

Position Requirements:

• Training as a Primary and/or Secondary School classroom teacher
• Master’s in education preferred, bachelor's in education required - Degree in 7-12 teaching content area or 5-8 General Education
• At least five years of experience teaching in an international or independent school setting (preferred)
• Excellent command of the English language (native level required), working knowledge of Spanish is helpful
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills for facilitating meetings, leading workshops and coaching colleagues
• Familiarity with K-12 U.S. curriculum
• Experience in using standards to drive curriculum development and learning experiences in the classroom
• Knowledge of current best practices regarding classroom instruction and technology integration
• The selected candidate must provide an up-to-date criminal background check from their country of origin and police clearance certificates from all countries of residence during the past 10 years.
• Available to start July 26, 2027 

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.

We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds.

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.