Teacher Profile

Success in an overseas teaching position depends on many synergies being realized. Teachers who are successful at WAB would usually have a close match with the following:

Basic Qualities

  • Experienced, qualified and highly professional
  • Child focused – warm, caring and supportive
  • Ability to work with parents and be part of a community
  • Team player – collaborative, adaptable, positive and flexible
  • Commitment to ongoing professional development
  • General interest in Beijing and China
  • Stable and balanced personal life

Professional Experiences

  • Experience/training in working with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
  • High level of IT skills and experience in integrating IT with teaching
  • Experience with contemporary practices in English and Mathematics
  • Experience with authentic assessment practices
  • Experience in organizing school events and extra curricular activities
  • Experience in coaching sporting teams and/or performing arts
  • Experience in outdoor education & recreation programs

Pedagogical Profile

  • IBPYP, IBMYP, IB Diploma or First Steps programs preferred
  • Inquiry-based, activity-based and hands-on learning
  • Using local context and environment to enhance learning
  • Multi-cultural approach or experiences
  • Stimulating classroom environment
  • Experience in differentiating teaching techniques

Teacher Expectations

WAB is a progressive school and has a dedicated community with high expectations – excellence in teaching, full involvement in the school’s development and with extra curricular activities. Candidates considering working at WAB should be prepared to meet these expectations in addition to the regular teaching load. A standard workload is outlined below:

School Year - Each school year has approximately 190 contact days, starting on 1 August and ending 31 July. The winter break in December is usually 2 or 3 weeks, and the summer break is usually 6 to 8 weeks, from June to August. In the fall, the students normally start school in mid-August right after the Teacher’s Planning Week.

School Hours - School hours normally starts at 8.30 AM, and ends at 3.30 PM. Teachers are expected to be at the school before 8.00 AM and be in the classroom by 8.20 AM. Teachers should remain in the school for at least 15 minutes after school is dismissed. Yard duty on a rotating basis is a part of a teacher’s routine.

Teaching Hours - The school schedule is based on 40 periods of 40 minutes per week, or 20 periods of 30 minutes. A full teaching load is generally 30 periods. The 10 non-contact periods are allocated for planning, preparation and classroom management, and general meetings with colleagues and parents.

School Life/Development - Teachers are expected to implement goals from the Strategic Plan and take part in the development of the school.

WABX (ASA) - WABX includes After-School-Activities (ASA), Interschool Sports Teams, After School Homework Support, Choir and Band. Teachers are expected to contribute to the equivalent of two ASA’s per year (18 afternoons a year) or coach 1 Interschool Sports Team.

Teacher Professional Development - WAB provides a range of professional development opportunities throughout the year. These include school-based trainings, conferences and workshops in China as well as overseas. Many of these occur outside of the normal working day.

After School Meetings - Staff meetings are compulsory for all teachers and are held once a week after school. Teachers are also required to attend the after school collaborative planning meetings.