Kodaikanal International School is a 125-year-old dynamic international school with a rich history of holistic education, offering a KIS diploma and the IB continuum of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Career-related Programme (CP) 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 — an expression of our lived ideal of Whole-Child Education. We recognize the importance of a meaningful, relevant and engaging curriculum that connects students to real-world contexts for their learning, holding true to our value of Context.

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, a reflection of our commitment to Growth as life-long learners.

Role:

This position is a full-time role consisting of a teaching assignment in Grade 11 and 12 classes in Biology, with the possible addition of MYP Sciences, depending on the skillset of the candidate and the needs of the school. In addition, the teacher will be responsible for a student group in our Homeroom advisory programme — an act of Concern for Others and community care. All members of the KIS professional community are expected to fully support residential life in a boarding environment, contributing to the Community Health of our family-like campus.

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 — the foundation of our Reverence.

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

These values are not abstractions; staff feedback has shaped them into lived ideals community health, collaborative communication, growth, agency, professionalism, and whole-child education that every KIS colleague is asked to embody daily, as a role model for students and as a member of a skilled team.

We are seeking colleagues who are driven by:

- A strong belief in KIS's guiding principles, held with Integrity;
- The IB philosophy, approached with Openness to new ideas and ways of learning;
- Service and action, rooted in genuine Concern for Others;
- A focus on trust, relationships and community, sustained through Cooperation and consistent, caring communication.

Our learning environment is characterized as:

- Inquiry-based learning;
- Fostering Agency in our learners;
- Transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary;
- Service-oriented;
- Diverse, safe and inclusive — an everyday expression of Appreciation for one another.

Safeguarding Statement

KIS is committed to the safety and well-being 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, an uncompromising expression of Accountability. We also support the rights and well-being of our staff and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants — a shared responsibility grounded in Concern for Others. 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 A teacher of Biology should have:

- A Bachelor's of Education, Secondary license, certification for teaching Biology/Science or a relevant equivalent
- At least a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in Biology/Science, its pedagogy, or a related field
- At least three years of full-time classroom experience teaching IB DP Biology in an accredited school, demonstrating consistent Performance.

Preferred Qualifications

- An advanced degree – Masters, PGCE or equivalent
- Ability to teach one or more of the additional subjects: MYP Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry
- IBDP Biology training




- Recent and relevant professional development in teaching and learning, reflecting an ongoing commitment to Growth.

Preferred Experiences

- Successful experience teaching multiple subjects from: MYP Science, Environmental Science, Chemistry;
- Establishing and participating in collaborative structures, in the spirit of Cooperation;
- Utilising data to make informed instructional decisions;
- Utilizing technology tools to enhance student learning;
- Understanding developmental characteristics, differences in learning styles and intelligences and adapting lesson planning and teaching appropriately — a practical expression of Whole-Child Education.

Preferred Skills and Dispositions

- Deep understanding of inquiry-based learning;
- Ability to provide differentiated instruction for students with varying levels of ability;
- Proven ability to work successfully in a diverse and inclusive environment, guided by Appreciation for every background represented at KIS;
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers and others, reflecting our lived ideal of Communication;
- Understanding and awareness of the challenges faced by learners in a multicultural environment;
- Dedication to student learning, sustained by professional Performance;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- Strong organizational skills;
- Team player with ability to delegate and coordinate work, in the spirit of Cooperation;
- Willing to work creatively with available materials/resources;
- Able to create and teach interdisciplinary lessons;
- Capacity to support the goals and mission of KIS through his/her personal philosophy — living out Reverence and Context in daily practice.

Reports To: Science Head of Department Coordinates with: coordinators, departmental leaders and colleagues, secondary teachers

Time Period: Initial 2-year contract, potential extensions after initial contract

Joining Date: 01 July 2027

Teaching and Learning Responsibilities

Instruction A KIS teacher is expected to provide quality instruction for the students at KIS in accordance with the school's established curriculum, school policies and expectations, upholding Performance and Consistency as professional standards. A KIS teacher:

- Actively realises the full potential of each student and promotes ideals of excellence in their learning — the heart of Whole-Child Education;
- Establishes a well-managed, psychologically safe learning environment where active, individual learning and progress for all students is the norm, contributing to Community Health;
- Collaboratively develops unit plans by employing a backwards planning model that utilises the identified scope and sequence, content standards, and the relevant MYP or DP course guides;
- Utilises data from varied sources (diagnostic, formative, summative, standardised, etc.) to inform instruction and develop learning opportunities that meet students' needs as described in the KIS Inclusion Policy — an expression of Context;
- Provides timely feedback to students that is actionable and relevant to their learning as described in the KIS Assessment Policy, in the spirit of open, caring Communication;
- Effectively embeds intentional learning experiences focused on developing a student's approach to their learning and offers ongoing reflective opportunities, nurturing a Growth mindset and the confidence to learn from mistakes;
- Nurtures a learning environment steeped in Integrity as described in our Academic Integrity Policy;
- Engages with colleagues collaboratively in co-planning, co-assessing, collaborative meetings, reflecting on student data and reflecting on one's own teaching practices — practicing Cooperation and Openness;
- Monitors, advises and assists in the pastoral care of students, an ongoing act of Concern for Others;
- Develops professional practice by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies;
- Upholds the school and IB philosophy as described in the KIS mission, vision, policies, and the staff handbook;
- Teaches up to 75% out of the total instructional periods in a 6-day cycle.

School Organization A KIS teacher 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 — Cooperation and Agency in action. The teacher:

- Maintains accurate records for unit planning, assessment and attendance, demonstrating Accountability;
- Is familiar with all school and department procedures as appropriate;
- Actively participates in faculty and departmental meetings;
- Participates in professional development opportunities, departmental meetings, planning, in-service training activities and invigilation duties as required by the Head of Department or Coordinators;
- Engages in professional goal setting that is aligned to the school's strategic direction, sustaining a personal practice of Growth;
- Reads all staff bulletins for the whole school and their own department, as well as other memoranda from administration; checks and responds to emails within 24 hours — the promptness and transparency at the core of our Communication ideal;
- At all times, conducts school business in a professional and ethical manner, consistent with Integrity;
- Is familiar with the school's teaching resources, safeguards the loss/damage of the school equipment and materials, and hands over all relevant material to the Head of Department or Coordinator upon departure from KIS;
- Prepares, marks, writes reports and performs all other administrative tasks related to the teaching of the subject(s);
- Is available to support students outside of regularly scheduled class times;
- Promptly passes information to advisors, residential Parents and Coordinators when students' attendance, academic performance or behavior is praiseworthy or causes concern — timely Communication in service of Concern for Others;
- Assists the administration and subject colleagues in covering classes and duties as needed.

School Community

- A KIS teacher is expected to support the holistic development of the child, reflecting our commitment to Whole-Child Education and Community Health. The teacher:
- Understands and supports the diversity of the school community and students' backgrounds, an everyday act of Appreciation;
- Works in a positive, cooperative and supportive way with students, parents, co-workers and other stakeholders, living out Cooperation;
- Communicates regularly with students, residential parents and students' parents on matters of school business;
- Engages in and supports activities that help promote school spirit and sense of community;
- Promotes opportunities for developing community involvement throughout the wider community;
- Recognizes the importance of service learning to our community and promotes this with students and the wider community, in keeping with Concern for Others;
- Supports the residential life of the school by chaperoning activities, clubs, field trips, camp, long weekend field day and other activities and serves as an advisor to a group of students — sustaining the family-like Community Health that defines residential life at KIS.

Other

- Supports, promotes and enforces the ethos of KIS as defined in the mission and vision statements, guiding principles and strategic plans, with Consistency;
- Promotes a positive attitude about the school with all members of the school community;
- Implements decisions made in department- and school-committee meetings, as relevant to the department;
- Follows 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 — Accountability without exception;
- Respects 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, upholding Integrity and discretion;
- Performs other appropriate duties as assigned by the subject chair, coordinator, Vice Principal, or Principal.

Living Our Values Every KIS colleague is invited to bring these commitments to life daily — Accountability, Appreciation, Concern for Others, Consistency, Context, Cooperation, Integrity, Openness, Performance, and Reverence — expressed through the lived ideals of community health, communication, growth, agency, professionalism, and whole-child education. We look for colleagues who don't just read these values, but teach, advise and lead by them.

- Download Application Form >> KIS Academic Position Application Form
- Fill-in the required information

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

📌 Secondary Biology Teacher (Kodaikanal)
🏢 Kodaikanal International School
📍 Kodaikanal