Nature Education Teaching Assistant (Temporary Position)

This is a temporary project position. There may be scope to renew the contract based on project outcomes and funding.

 

Overview: 

Kodaikanal International School is a 120-year-old dynamic international school with a rich history of holistic education, offering the IB continuum of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) to our learners. Our beautiful school and community are nestled in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, South India.

At KIS, we empower our students to navigate through life’s challenges to achieve their true potential. We follow an inquiry-based approach that promotes critical thinking, learner agency and a dedication to serving others. We recognize the importance of a meaningful, relevant and engaging curriculum that connects students to real-world contexts for their learning. We are keenly aware of the need to adapt our teaching and learning model to respond to the needs of our students in a world of fast-paced change.

Role:

The Teaching Assistant will support the Junior Naturalist Program Manager in weekly course delivery and associated activities, which include both classroom and outdoor engagements such as field visits, hiking, and camping in the Palani Hills. Proficiency in English and Tamil (written and spoken) is essential for effective communication with students, parents, and the local community. The role involves extensive outdoor fieldwork, including forest walks, bird watching, farming activities, community consultations, and documentation.

About Kodaikanal International School

KIS Vision Statement: We strive to be a school the world needs: Our graduates will be transformative leaders, caring humans and thoughtful ambassadors for a just, sustainable and peaceful world.

KIS Mission Statement: Kodaikanal International School (KIS) is committed to empowering young people from diverse backgrounds with vision, knowledge, compassion and cross-cultural understanding. We are a community that welcomes everyone and seeks our purpose in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

KIS Values: Accountability, Appreciation, Concern for Others, Consistency, Context, Cooperation, Integrity, Openness, Performance, and Reverence.

About KIS CEH

Kodaikanal International School’s Center for Environment and Humanity (KIS CEH) uses its setting in the Palani Hills to identify regional and global environmental issues. We work with local experts such as farmers, scientists, researchers, civic organizations, and official agencies to identify solutions to issues facing our bioregion. We also seek to bridge knowledge gaps by exchanging ideas with people in our community. The Center recognizes the relationship between ecological and social processes, and seeks to promote more sustainable ways for humans to interact with their environment. Our aim is to integrate environmental consciousness into government policies, private institutions, businesses, schools, and individual lifestyles. We focus our programs around the following areas:

• Waste Management
• Regenerative Agriculture
• Climate Change
• Biodiversity

We are seeking colleagues who are driven by:

• a strong belief in KIS’s guiding principles;
• the IB philosophy;
• service and action;
• a focus on trust, relationships and community.

Our learning environment is characterized as:

• inquiry-based learning;
• fostering agency in our learners;
• transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary;
• service-oriented;
• diverse, safe and inclusive.

Safeguarding Statement

KIS is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people in our care. We support the rights of the child and will act without hesitation to ensure a child-safe environment. We also support the rights and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants. Teachers at KIS must follow the guidelines of the school’s protective behavior policies and protocols, including reporting any situation that might constitute a health and/or safety hazard to students or school employees.

Qualifications & Experiences

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Wildfire, or Forestry OR Master's degree in English Literature

Skills Required:

• Fluent in English and Tamil (speaking, reading, and writing)

Preferred Experience:

• 2 years of experience as a nature educator

Reports to: Coordinator - Center for Environment and Humanity
Coordinates with: MYP/DP Coordinators, departmental leader and colleagues, secondary teachers
Time Period: September 2024 - May 2025. This is a temporary project position. There may be a scope to renew the contract based on project outcomes and funding.

Responsibilities

• Develop nature education lessons and class materials under the supervision of the Program Manager and CEH Head of Department, including PowerPoints, videos, worksheets, syllabi, etc.
• Conduct outdoor activities such as bird watching, nature journaling, team-building activities, and reflections.
• Coordinate and communicate with parents, students, local school administrators, experts, guest lecturers, and the local community to organize events and field visits.
• Document course activities and curriculum through daily field reports and an annual yearbook.
• Manage events.
• Assist CEH in other programs with KIS students and visiting groups.
• Perform administrative and secretarial tasks.
• Support other CEH projects as needed.

Other:

• Support, promote and enforce the ethos of KIS as defined in the Mission Statement, Guiding Principles and strategic plans.
• Promotes a positive attitude about the school with all members of the school community.
• Implement decisions made in department and school committee meetings, as relevant to the department.
• Follow the guidelines of the school’s protective behaviour policies and protocols and personal data protection policies and procedures, including reporting any situation that might constitute a health and/or safety hazard to students or school employees, and reporting any personal data breach.
• To respect the confidential nature of discussions at department meetings and other contexts in which sensitive information is likely to be communicated.

Application Process:

1. Download Application Form >> KIS Administrative Position Application Form
2. Fill-in the required information
3. Use the form below to submit your application along with your resume

Please note that applications that do not include the application form and a resume will not be considered.