Year 3 (Second Grade) Teacher

**Job type**:
Full Time, Fixed Term

31 March 2025

**Job overview**:
Are you a thoughtful, forward-thinking educator who believes learning should be **holistic, purposeful, and deeply connected to the real world**?

**About Hypha**

Nestled in the breathtaking Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Hypha is a specialized international school that sees the outdoors as a natural extension of the classroom. While our Reggio-inspired indoor spaces are thoughtfully designed, the heart of our learning happens under open skies, fostering a deep connection to the natural world.

At Hypha, we believe in nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and heart. We challenge the misconception that a nature-immersed approach to education and academic rigor are at odds.

We ensure an outstanding educational experience by highly training great educators and ensuring that students receive a personalized, student-centered education that is transferable and internationally respected. We nurture mindful, kind individuals equipped with strong academic foundations and real world competencies to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future.

**Our Values**
- Empower each learner with a personalized approach that pushes beyond conventional academic boundaries, fostering both intellectual rigor and creativity.
- Cultivate adaptive thinkers by embedding 21st century competencies preparing learners for opportunities and challenges of the future.
- Inspire deep connections to self, community, and the natural world. Through mindful guidance, we help learners discover purpose, resilience, and a sense of wellbeing that extends far beyond the classroom.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

**Foster a Culture of Innovation and Hands-on Learning**
- Design and deliver engaging, project-based lessons inspired by Reggio Emilia and inquiry-driven approaches, with a focus on humanities, literacy, and numeracy.
- Encourage students to think like engineers, designers, and artists through STEAM challenges, maker-based learning and design thinking.
- Ensure projects adhere to high standards of project-based learning using rubrics and following the Gold Standard of PBL.
- Use effective, evidence-based practices to ensure a strong academic foundation.
- Guide students to ask compelling questions, investigate deeply, and present their discoveries through meaningful projects.
- Set clear objectives and success criteria, while using formative assessments and immediate feedback to track progress.
- Facilitate collaborative, play-based, and project-based learning that fosters creativity and deep engagement.
- Use visible thinking and learning strategies and ensure classroom displays reflect ongoing student work and projects.

**Deeply Integrate Nature and Outdoor Learning**
- Develop and lead outdoor learning experiences, using our natural surroundings as an extension of the classroom.
- Inspire students to engage with nature through exploration, observation, and hands-on activities.
- Incorporate sustainability and environmental awareness into learning experiences.

**Build a Supportive and Inclusive Community**
- Differentiate instruction to meet diverse academic, social, and emotional needs.
- Maintain a joyful, inclusive, and respectful classroom culture where every child feels valued and supported through the use of Conscious Discipline.
- Guide students in developing social-emotional skills, mindfulness, conflict resolution strategies, and a growth mindset.
- Maintain open and regular communication with parents, sharing student progress and celebrating achievements.

**Collaborate and Grow as an Educator**
- Work closely with a passionate, forward-thinking team to design and refine innovative learning experiences.
- Take an active role in shaping the school’s growth by contributing to curriculum development and school-wide initiatives.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, mentorship, and training.
- Lead after-school activities and contribute to the school community beyond the classroom.
- Cultivate excellent organizational skills, time management, and care for materials, instilling respect for the classroom and school environment.

**Required Qualifications and Skills**
- Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education with a recognized teaching qualification.
- Five to ten years of relevant teaching experience, with a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy instruction.
- Native-level English proficiency.
- Deep experience with inquiry-based, project-based, or Reggio Emilia-inspired education.
- Strong background in outdoor learning, forest school principles, or environmental education.
- Compassionate, creative, and adaptable approach to teaching.
- Highly skilled in differentiation techniques to support diverse learning needs.
- Passion for innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.

**What We Offer**
- A purpose-driven role where you can shape the future of education in a pioneer