Job type: Full-time
Organization: Silverleaf Academy Ltd, Tanzania
Location: Silverleaf Academy Usa River Campus, Tanzania
Position: Head Teacher
Contract Type: Full Time
Contract Duration: 2 years
Line Manager: School Manager
Direct Reports: Head of school sections (upper, middle, lower, ECE)
Organization
Silverleaf Academy is a chain of affordable private pre-primary and primary schools in Tanzania educating children aged 2-14. Our mission is to provide lower-middle-income families in Tanzania with highest quality learning at the most affordable levels. Using the national Tanzanian curriculum, Silverleaf schools deploy an inclusive, tech-supported curriculum inside every classroom, and adopt an innovative team-teaching approach and in-service training program. Our schools are specifically designed to build both student academic competencies and wider life, leadership and learning skills. It is our promise to our students and their parents that Silverleaf students will not leave school without full mastery of the basic skills of writing, reading and math, while also being prepared for a world where critical thinking, team collaboration, and entrepreneurship are paramount. Silverleaf currently has one fully operational campus in Usa River serving approximately 400 pre-primary to standard 7 students. By January 2025, the target is to grow the Usa River campus to over 1,000 daycare up to standard 7 students.
Role
The Head Teacher is responsible for facilitating the academic programs of the school and ensuring high-quality teaching and learning outcomes. Reporting to the School Manager, the Head Teacher oversees the day-to-day management of the teaching staff, implements the curriculum, and ensures that students meet academic targets. They play a key role in promoting a positive learning environment, supporting teacher development, and ensuring alignment with the school’s educational goals. The Head Teacher will be responsible for fostering a culture of continuous improvement, providing clear guidance, and maintaining high standards in all academic and co-curricular areas.
Key Responsibilities and Activities
- School Culture and Team Development
This role is responsible for building a thriving academic culture for teammates of all grades. Equally this role is responsible for partnering with the School Manager to ensure that all teammates are being grown and developed in the Silverleaf model.
- Implement a yearly and measurable plan to ensure that teammates are understanding, developed, and adhering to the values of Silverleaf.
- Conduct performance evaluations for teaching staff, providing feedback on strengths and areas for development.
- In partnership with the School Manager and Senior Manager of Talent Academy, implement a yearly professional development vision for the school, yearly development calendar, weekly coaching and development experience of teammates, and ensure a strong performance appraisal system.
- Foster a positive and collaborative environment among teachers and staff.
- Implement and lead cultural activities and rituals.
- Facilitate a culture of self-awareness where teammates value personal and professional development and are invested in feedback and growth.
- Leading the team in bi-weekly data meetings and creating impactful action plans.
- Ensuring teachers are trained in and implementing quality lesson plans that support explicit instruction and differentiation in learning processes.
- Hosting weekly feedback meetings and post-observation conferences.
- Student Experience: Academic Performance, Student Development, Behavior and Co-curriculars
This role is responsible for ensuring that students of all grades are having a thriving and holistic student experience.
- Implementing a yearly student experience vision and plan for the school.
- Implement a yearly and measurable plan to ensure that students are being developed academically, socially and emotionally and in their co-curriculars experience.
- Partner with the School Manager to ensure classrooms are well-resourced and conducive to focused learning.
- Partnering with the School Manager and the Director of Schools to set targets for all academic metrics by grade level and by student.
- Conduct daily bi-weekly cultural, academic, and tech walkthroughs and observations.
- Conducting weekly academic data meetings to ensure that the academic targets are being met.
- Implement targeted intervention programs for struggling students.
- Ensuring that project based learning, tech centered education and english mastery is implemented in all classrooms to ensure that classrooms meet and exceed the Silverleaf promise.
- Holding academic meetings with students on performance.
- Facilitate health and wellness programs for physical and mental well-being.
- Attend biweekly Student Leaders meeting to ensure that student voice is guiding decision making and development.
- Ensuring that the child protection policy and child wellness policies are followed and leading the campus AAR as needed.
This role is responsible for supporting systems, structures, policies, practices, and procedures that are being adhered to to ensure operational efficiencies and the school’s short and long-term financial sustainability.
- Partnering with the School Manager in ensuring retention rates are maintained at 98% by ensuring academic excellence and parent satisfaction.
- Partnering with the School Manager in creating the student retention strategy for the school and implementing it with fidelity.
- Work with heads of sections to ensure smooth day-to-day academic operations, including scheduling of teaching timetables, assessments schedules, and teaching & learning resources management.
- Ensure compliance with all health and safety protocols and child protection policies
- Ensure academic programs and resource needs align with the school’s budget, providing input on academic resource allocation.
- Ensure that classrooms are well-resourced and conducive to learning, in collaboration with the School Manager and Operations team.
- Community Engagement : Parents, Community Members, Partner Organizations and Stakeholders
- Support School Manager to build and maintain relationships with NGOs, local businesses, community organizations, and government bodies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Partner with the School manager to Implement regular feedback mechanisms for all stakeholders, including parents, community members, and partners.
- Support School manager to organize parents workshops, one every quarter to educate parents on topics like child development, supporting learning at home, and navigating the school’s educational tools such as Class Dojo or parent portals such as power school.
- Partnering with the Director of Schools and School Manager to establish parent advisory committees to involve parents in decision-making processes and provide feedback on school initiatives, policies, and programs.
- Organize regular parent-teacher conferences to discuss student progress, set goals, and provide academic and behavioral updates. Ensure communication channels with parents are clear and consistent.
Education and Experience Requirements
- Education: Must have a teaching degree from a recognized Institution by the government of Tanzania.
- Training: Specialized training or certification in educational leadership, curriculum development, or school management is an advantage.
- Teaching Experience: Minimum of 5 years of teaching experience, with a proven track record of success in improving student academic outcomes.
- Leadership Experience: At least 2-3 years of experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a school setting (e.g., Head of Department, Deputy Head, or similar).
- Academic and Staff Oversight: Experience in curriculum development, teacher training, and performance management.
- Students and Technology: Strong familiarity with student assessment, data-driven decision-making, and the use of technology in education.
- Community Engagement: Demonstrated experience in engaging with parents, the community, and fostering a positive school culture.
- Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
Send you CV and Cover letter to [email protected] by 5th November 2024
