English as an Additional Language (EAL) Teacher - Primary School (Maternity Cover)

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Atlanta International School (AIS) offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum to all students, from 3K through grade 12. Our challenging academic programs develop internationally minded, critical-thinking students able to take complex and often disparate knowledge, concepts and skills, and forge these into new and unique ways of solving problems. We provide a rigorous education in a diverse, multicultural, multilinguistic community where the reality and hope of human potential are in action. 

Our mission at AIS is to develop courageous leaders who shape their world for the better. All AIS employees believe deeply in the potential of each student, value critical thinking (their own and students’) and know learning can be fun and exciting. AIS offers an incredible spirit of community and diversity of perspectives that come from students, families, and employees representing more than 90 nationalities and over 60 languages. 

Teachers at AIS are innovators and leaders who have a passion for working with students in a multicultural community and are always seeking new ways to personalize learning. With a transdisciplinary focus, AIS teachers also integrate innovative learning strategies while working with a diverse student population.

JOB PURPOSE
The Primary School EAL Teacher collaborates directly with homeroom teachers and grade-level teams to support the language development of students in Grades 1 through 5, ensuring their successful access to and engagement with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum. The EAL Teacher provides specialized language instruction through various models (in-class support, pull-out small groups) to foster English proficiency across reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This role is vital in promoting an intentionally inclusive and multilingual atmosphere where all students feel a sense of belonging and their linguistic identity is valued.

Position Status: 10-month employee
AIS Position Status: Teacher
Hours per week: 40 hours (Full-time)
FLSA: Exempt
Reports to: Head of Primary School
Approximate Coverage Dates: January 26 - April 27
Application Deadline: December 5, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate and co-plan with grade-level and specialist colleagues.
  • Work closely with homeroom teachers and other specialists (e.g., Single Subject, Learning Support) as needed to co-plan and co-teach inquiry-based units, integrating language development goals directly into the transdisciplinary curriculum, ensuring alignment with the PYP scope and sequence.
• Provide specialized and differentiated English language instruction.
  • Design and deliver targeted EAL instruction, both in small group pull-out sessions and through in-class support (co-teaching) as needed, differentiating content and language demands for students at various English proficiency levels.
• Design data-informed instruction for language acquisition.
  • Collaboratively design lessons that challenge each student within their zone of proximal development, utilizing second language acquisition (SLA) strategies and providing multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to support content and academic language learning based on students' individual language profiles.
• Cultivate relationships with students and build a positive learning environment.
  • Foster a restorative approach to community-building, creating a sense of belonging where EAL students feel valued, respected, and confident in taking linguistic risks during relevant, real-world learning.
• Develop an intentionally inclusive and safe learning environment.
  •  Value students' linguistic, cultural, racial, and ethnic identities, fostering a supportive classroom culture and collaborating with parents, administrators, and counselors to ensure their safety and well-being and to advocate for their language learning needs.
• Establish proactive, supportive language learning routines.
  • Develop, model, and practice classroom expectations and language routines that reinforce respectful behaviors, encourage peer-to-peer language use, and build independence in thinking and communicating in English.
• Foster a dynamic and joyful learning environment by designing engaging, language-rich experiences.
  • Inspire a love of learning while promoting critical thinking and curiosity through engaging, hands-on activities that prioritize purposeful language use in meaningful contexts.
• Demonstrate knowledge of best practices for language acquisition.
  • Teach students at various proficiency levels by encouraging the exploration of language patterns and providing multimodal instruction across reading, writing, listening, and speaking for diverse academic and social purposes.
• Implement effective EAL assessment & data use practices.
  • Administer and leverage standardized language proficiency assessments (e.g., WIDA) and formative assessments to monitor EAL students' progress, using learning data to design responsive instruction at the class, small group, and individual levels. This also includes supporting appropriate accommodations for standardized testing. 
• Communicate with diverse cultural & linguistic groups.
  • Communicate effectively across diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds with students, families, and colleagues regarding students' language development goals and progress, integrating culturally responsive strategies to address learning needs and perspectives.
• Demonstrate a flexible mindset.
  • Collaborate with colleagues, support staff, and administrators to adjust instructional and assessment practices, while remaining open to new approaches and feedback to meet the evolving needs of EAL learners.

REQUIREMENTS

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree in Education, TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or equivalent.
• Minimum 3 years of teaching experience specifically as an EAL, ESL, or EAL/content integration teacher in a primary school setting (Grades K-5).
• Proficiency in English is required, with additional advanced proficiency in a language such as Spanish, French, German or Chinese strongly preferred.
• Successful experience in an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary, or IB PYP environment supporting EAL students is preferred, though strong applicants with experience in other curricula are also encouraged to apply.
• Enthusiastic about teaching within a multicultural and multilingual environment.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in language acquisition, instructional models/approaches (e.g., WIDA, SIOP), and classroom application.
• Experience with Restorative Practices and/or Responsive Classroom.

TO BE CONSIDERED
To be considered for the above-mentioned position, please submit the following items through our online career site https://www.aischool.org/our-school/careers: a letter of interest, resume, and email and phone contact information for three professional references with at least one being supervisory in nature by the stipulated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. We will contact those applicants whose skills and experience best match our needs. Due to the high volume of applications, we regret that we are not able to take or return phone calls regarding employment.