Junior School Teacher – ADST Specialist

School Overview

SJS, is a leading independent, all gender K-12 IB school in Vancouver, Canada. At SJS we prioritize enriching education that nurtures learning competencies, agency, love for learning, and student well-being. Teachers at SJS encourage students to engage thoughtfully in their learning, to be risk-takers in their learning and strive to achieve their highest potential. 

In the junior school we offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to all students in Grades JK-5. We offer a holistic programme to all students that consists of experiential opportunities for students to engage in learning in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, leadership roles, and community service.

Position Purpose & Overview

Teaching Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies (ADST) skills to elementary-aged children is imperative for their holistics development and future success in an increasingly digital world. Introducing ADST concepts early on not only cultivates essential technical proficiencies but also nurtures creativity, problem-solving prowess, and critical thinking abilities.

By engaging in ADST education, students transition from passive consumers to active creators of technology, fostering a mindset of innovation and experimentation. Moreover, ADST instruction instills principles of digital citizenship, guiding students to navigate the digital realm responsibly, ethically, and safely. In an age where technology is ubiquitous, emphasizing the importance of well-being and safety with technology and devices within ADST education ensures that children develop healthy habits, understand the impact of their digital footprint, and learn to protect themselves online.

St. John’s School (SJS) is seeking a qualified and experienced IB ADST Teacher. The candidate may be required to teach courses in another PYP subject, based on experience, qualifications, need, and interest. The IB ADST Teacher will be a collaborative member of the Technologies and Junior School departments  and will contribute to the development of the curriculum and teaching experiences at SJS. Teachers at SJS are expected to exemplify excellent professional practice and high standards of teaching and learning. The teacher will provide inclusive learning opportunities differentiated to the needs, abilities and stage of development of each student. The successful candidate will be adept at monitoring, measuring, documenting, and reporting on learning. The successful candidate supports student wellbeing, participates in co-curricular commitments of the school, and is reliable in exercising their daily responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities and duties are inclusive of, but not limited to:

• Develop and complete a scope and sequence of ADST skills for grade K-5 within the 2025/2026 academic year, ensuring alignment with the Senior School curriculum.
• Assist teachers in incorporating digital citizenship and ethical technology use into their curriculum, providing resources and co-teaching opportunities.
• Teach one ADST lesson per week for each class, grades 1-5, with a minimum of 10 classes per week. Lessons may be as integration into other classroom subject areas, such as UOI.
• Meet with the Junior School Principal weekly for reporting and collaborative planning.
• Attend Vice-Principal and curriculum leader meetings.
• Communicate with parents of each grade on a monthly basis, through existing “Specialist Updates”, to inform them about the technology and digital citizenship learning happening in each grade.
• Partner with external organizations such as The Social Institute, to offer parent education sessions, once per term.
• Frequently be present at the end of the day for parents to access direct assistance from the ADST Specialist.
• Coordinate and host in-house practical parent sessions.
• Liaise, coordinate, and consult with the IT department, and support the planning and implementation of technology tools and resources.
• Collaborate with the communications department (Eagle Update/social media) to inform the St. John’s School community about parent education sessions, updates regarding technology maintenance, and health/well-being related to technology use, device management, and online safety.
• Maintain consistent communication with homeroom teachers regarding the planning and delivery of ADST skills.
• Approach co-teaching with enthusiasm and dedication.
• Liaise with the Science Curriculum Leader to evolve the Discovery Lab into more of a Design Space.
• Support the integration of emerging AI technologies into the ADST curriculum, and other subject areas, to assist in the development of school practices and planning around AI integration into education delivery. 
  Assess and assist with behavioral problems related to technology use. Offer direct support to students in navigating digital challenges.
• Fulfill supervisory responsibilities during recess and lunch, assist in extra-curricular activities, supervise school trips, provide leadership in organizations and clubs, and act as a chaperone at school functions or events, including parent-teacher conferences, evening, and weekend activities as needed.
• Endorse the school’s mission, vision, and values.
• Model and promote the IB learner profile attributes and SJS values.
• Design, prepare and deliver learning activities that facilitate insightful engagement and utilize inquiry-based learning strategies to enhance student understanding and engagement.
• Assess, record, and report on the growth of student success in alignment with the PYP grade objectives, criteria, guidelines, and the school’s assessment policy and practices.
• Create a safe, effective, challenging, ethical and organized learning environment.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of and passion for the subject areas.
• Practice a universal design for learning approach to teaching, providing differentiated instruction for all learners to establish an inclusive learning environment.
• Maintain relevant understanding of and be active in using appropriate and effective technology to enhance instruction and learning.
• Participate in faculty, student, and parent meetings and special events.
• Model respectful and timely communication with students, colleagues, and parents, in line with the school’s Mutual Respect policy.
• Attend professional development programmes, participate in “on campus” professional learning, attend professional meetings which relate to curricular, administrative or organizational matters as required, attend relevant meetings and training as scheduled by the Head of Department, Curriculum Leaders and Senior Leadership Team.
• Engage or offer co-curricular activity(ies) for Junior School students.
• Demonstrate reliability in and understanding of implementation of risk and student management strategies.

Required Qualifications and Key Skills

Education & Work Experience

• A valid BC Certification of Teaching.
• Completion of a Bachelor of Education degree.
• Need to be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• A Basic First Aid certificate is considered an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of the International Baccalaureate programmes.
• Experience and adept understanding of teaching IB ADST, and/or BC Elementary School Technologies courses in a Junior School setting is an asset.
• Knowledge of the PYP course content and curriculum framework is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of PYP core components is considered an asset.

Qualities and Skills

• A motivated, adaptable, and enthusiastic team player.
• Commitment to universal design for learning,  inclusion and fostering a supportive learning environment.
• Proven experience leading or contributing to co-curricular and/or outdoor education programs is an asset.
• Dynamic ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Demonstrate and pursue excellence in practice and professional growth.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Positive attitude, growth mindset, and strong emotional intelligence (EQ).
• Proficient in providing support for diverse learning needs.

This role will require working hours outside of school office hours: often evening events; occasionally going offsite to document student programs; and occasional morning and weekend commitments.

This job profile outlines the key responsibilities for the roles and is not meant to be exhaustive. This will include performing the administrative and related tasks or any other responsibilities required to reasonably meet the needs of St. John’s School, including, but not limited to the general duties outlined in the position profile. 

It should be understood that the activities, responsibilities and obligations of this position may be modified from time to time, through discussion between the direct supervisor and the employee, in order to effectively meet the requirements of the School. On rare occasions where there are urgent needs at the School, an employee may be assigned to temporarily backfill role(s) critical to the school’s operations and business continuity.

Conditions of Employment

• The candidate must have a valid BCCT.
• The successful candidate will be required to complete child abuse prevention training, concussion training, Level 1 first-aid training provided by St. John’s School and provide consent for a criminal background check for the vulnerable sector.
• Clearance on criminal record checks for vulnerable sector is a condition of employment
• The ability to legally work in Canada, in an educational setting is a condition of employment.

Job Information

• Full-time temporary contract from November 3, 2025 to June 30, 2026.
• Work location: on-site.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Annual Salary ranges from $67,442 to $120,860 based on the school’s teacher 2025/26 salary grid. Placement on the grid is assigned in accordance with level of education and years of teaching experience. Annual salary is prorated based on the length of the contract.

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: Junior School Principal
• Direct Reports: None
• Department: Junior School
• Key Interactions:
  • Internal: Faculty, non-teaching employees, IT Support Specialists, Facilities Manager, Junior School Principal, and Vice-Principals.
  • External: Parents, Alumni, and Teacher’s Regulation Branch

Applications

All interested candidates should include the following items in their application:

Resume & Cover Letter
Copies of any relevant certificates and diplomas.
Three Professional References with contact details.

All interested candidates should submit their complete application at the following link:

Junior School Teacher – ADST Specialist

The posting will be active until filled. If you are having any problems submitting your application, please email [email protected]

St. John’s School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John’s School is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified job seekers, from BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of colour), persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ (persons of all sexual orientations and genders). If you are an applicant with a disability, we will work with you to make reasonable workplace accommodations you may need for your best work performance.