Kodaikanal International School is a 125-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.
The Academic Vice Principal reports directly to the Principal and is responsible for the organization, leadership, oversight, implementation, direction and overall management of KIS's academic programs. As a member of the School’s Senior Management Team, she/he will participate in making decisions as per KIS Bylaws and in the spirit of Design ’18 and the mission of the School. All Senior Management Team members are required to be of the Christian faith as per the school’s bylaws.
The Vice Principal is expected to design, implement, monitor and improve academic programs that further the purposes for which KIS is organized. Clear, open and frequent communication with the Principal is essential, and weekly meetings with the Principal would be expected to review academic activities and to keep the Principal apprised of pertinent issues concerning KIS's academic program.
The Vice Principal is expected at all times to support the mission, goals and objectives of KIS as stated in Design '18 and as interpreted by the Principal and the Council of Directors.
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.
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
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. The staff 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.
Required Qualifications:
- Masters Degree or equivalent in an academic field
- M.Ed. in Administration / Principal’s license or equivalent credential in particular state or country
- B.Ed. or teaching license equivalent in particular state, province, or country
Preferred Experience:
- Minimum five years of teaching experience, preferably at various levels in various subjects
- Minimum ten years of administrative experience at school level desirable, one of which may be at the department head level and the remainder at Vice Principal or Principal level
- Experience in other aspects of education, such as counseling, business, finance, curriculum planning, public relations, guidance counseling or learning resources
- Experience with the International Baccalaureate Diploma, MYP and PYP programs
- Experience in international schools and/or in different countries/systems
- Residential school experience
Desired Skills/ Attributes
- Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Capable of supporting the goals and mission of KIS through personal philosophy
- Active team player and able to delegate and coordinate work
- Ability to anticipate school needs and develop both short-term and long-term academic goals
Knowledge – basic, theoretical and working knowledge of:
- International Baccalaureate program (IB Diploma, MYP and PYP levels)
- Curriculum development process
- Personnel development
- Pedagogical techniques, theory and practice
- Integration of technology with academic curriculum
Reports to: Principal
Time Period: Initial 2-year contract, potential extensions after initial contract
- General responsibilities:
- Facilitate instructional systems at all levels
- Develop and coordinate Elementary, Middle and High School curriculum
- Coordinate all schedules, exams, tests and teaching programs
- Facilitate staff development, discipline, evaluations and issues relating to confirmation of probation
- Assist Principal in matters of student discipline, programs and forward planning
- Develop academic budget
- Assume duties of Principal in his absence
- Gently but firmly maintain boundaries and guardrails established in KIS policy and practice (e.g., leave policies)
- Supervise and facilitate the work of Coordinators, Careers and College Advisor, HoDs, Learning Support Program, and instructional systems at all levels (instructional theory, principles, tasks, practices and methods).
- Develop and coordinate the elementary, middle and secondary curricula (with special reference to the basic issues, organization, and implementation of the International Baccalaureate program).
- Supervise budgets related to academic aspects of the school, including library and textbooks, setting and monitoring the same, keeping the Principal fully informed.
- Make staff allocation for various sections of the School and oversee and coordinate the master class schedule and individual student schedules.
- Organize general student routines (attendance, absence, tardiness, study halls).
- Develop and implement an effective program of evaluation and assessment of student achievement, aptitude and proficiency.
- Make provisions for and supervise academic counseling.
- Assist the Principal with admissions and withdrawal process for students.
- Correspond with parents regarding academic matters.
- Serve as director of faculty in program-making load level, scheduling, adjustment problems, study organization, in-service training, inter-relationships, and improvement of Instructional skills.
- Assist the Principal in teacher selection, allocation of teaching responsibilities and evaluation, and make recommendations for promotion and all disciplinary matters.
- Advise, supervise, and be responsible for the High School Division Head, K-8 Division Head, and Dean of Residential Life in relation to student discipline matters.
- Assist the Principal in the school building program, as related to site, design, construction, furniture, and equipment, for the most effective learning experience.
- Assist the Principal in developing an analytical, systematic survey study of local and international educational issues and problems as they relate to philosophy, purpose and Operation of effective, current, lasting elementary and secondary schools.
- Lead the faculty through process/procedure reviews as the School’s academic accreditations come up for renewal.
- Maintain open and clear channels of communication with the Principal, Finance Director, Dean of Residential Life, Dean of Religious Life, Admissions Coordinator, Alumni Coordinator, other administrators and all staff on matters of concern to the School.
- Prepare regular reports for the Principal.
- Be responsible to the Principal for the conduct of his/her work.
- Carry out any other duties as assigned by the Principal.
Support Design ‘18
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School Organization
A KIS staff is expected to work in a positive, professional, supportive manner and develop a collaborative and team approach to enable the school to achieve its stated mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
School Community
A KIS staff is expected to:
- Stand as an example of compassionate, competent servant leadership, maintaining high professional standards while also providing the care and support staff reasonably need to achieve them.
- Support and promote the ethos of KIS as defined in the mission, vision, values, cultural ideals, and strategic plans;
- Promote 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 behavior 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.
- Respect the confidential nature of discussions at staff meetings and other contexts in which sensitive information is likely to be communicated; particularly in terms of interaction with students;
