Homeroom Teacher
About the Global Community Fellowship
The Global Community Fellowship plays a critical role in supporting capacity-building, education, and training initiatives of local institutions designed to address specific needs and challenges in the local community. By working directly with communities, Fellows gain hands-on experience with organizations in Asia using creative and innovative methods to address critical social challenges while applying their knowledge and skills to further grassroots social change.
Fellowship Post Summary: Futaba Elementary School
Futaba Elementary School is seeking an enthusiastic, creative teacher to join their established and successful Global Communication Course as a Homeroom Teacher. Homeroom teachers in Japan are responsible for caring for students’ overall academic and social development. In addition to teaching the subject classes of math, science, home economics, physical education, and English, Homeroom Teachers also guide students in social-emotional learning such as: how to greet others with respect, how to treat friends with kindness, how to behave appropriately in a school setting, and how to keep the classroom clean.
Futaba Elementary School follows the Ministry of Education curriculum, and English, Math, Science, PE, and Home Economics are all taught in English. During the homeroom period, the Homeroom Teacher will be assigned a Japanese co-teacher, but subject classes (math, science, home economics, physical education, and English) will be taught just by the Homeroom Teacher.
Futaba students have very high levels of academic ability, and the school is looking for a teacher who is excited to support and challenge them daily. This is not an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) position, and is ideal for candidates who are able to serve as the lead teacher for a class.
The position is renewable yearly, with the potential for tenured status.
As a Catholic school, religion is taught as part of the school curriculum by specialist teachers. Students and teachers recite the Lord’s Prayer together every morning and attend mass after school every afternoon. There is no requirement for Homeroom Teachers to be Catholic, however teachers should be comfortable working in a religious setting where Catholic teaching is offered.
Eligibility Requirements
- Academic: At a minimum, completion of a 4-year undergraduate degree
- Citizenship: There are no specific citizenship or residency requirements. However, US citizenship or citizenship of certain other countries may facilitate the visa process.
- Language Skills: Native English language fluency is required. Japanese language proficiency is not required, but basic Japanese skills and an interest in learning the language is preferred.
- Credential: Full teaching license from their home country (elementary preferred, but not essential). Online licenses / certifications and substitute certifications are not acceptable.
- Work Experience: Teaching, training, or tutoring experience. Experience and ability to follow a curriculum using a constructivist, project-based approach alongside an understanding of second language acquisition.
Preferred Qualifications
- Academic Advising and Tutoring
- Experience working with youth or English language learners
- Familiarity with or willingness to learn advising and counseling techniques
- Background in liberal arts and science education
- Experience leading one-on-one or small group sessions that cater to the academic needs of students
- General
- Demonstrated computer proficiency (G-Suite and other educational apps)
- Strong organizational skills; ability to work independently and in a team
- Flexible and able to support with unexpected changes
- Ability to serve as an effective bridge between multiple stakeholders
- Strong interest in and/or experience working with social issues in Asia or the US
- Strong oral and written communicator, especially in cross-cultural contexts; comfortable working with English language learners
- Commitment or interest in staying for multiple years