Literacy Specialist

Bishkek International School is a non-profit community school providing inspirational education in a happy environment. The school opened in September 2011 and now has over 440 students from age 2 to 18. Fifty percent of our students are foreign citizens, children of employees of embassies, international organizations, and international businesses or NGOs. Fifty percent of students are Kyrgyz citizens. The school welcomes all students regardless of ability, gender, ethnicity, language, or religious belief and everyone is encouraged to take part in all school activities. BIS is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on International Education. As an IB World School, we offer the IB Diploma Programme, IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). We are also a Cambridge International School, offering the Cambridge IGCSE program in Grades 9-10.

Responsibilities:

Literacy Specialist

• Develop and deliver teaching and learning practices that address the needs of students with dyslexia or other literacy challenges, by directly working with students, and by training other staff in these skills to work with students.
• Develop and implement evidence-based strategies to improve literacy outcomes, focusing on phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and writing skills.
• Conduct targeted assessments to identify literacy needs, dyslexic tendencies, and other specific learning barriers in students.
• Create and deliver individualized or group interventions, prioritizing dyslexia remediation and literacy development.
• Monitor and evaluate student progress using specialized tools and adjust instructional methods to optimize outcomes.
• .Develop, implement, and regularly update Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or literacy support plans tailored to each student's needs, collaborating with colleagues and families."
• Provide direct support to students with dyslexia, employing multi-sensory, phonics-based approaches (e.g., Orton-Gillingham, Alpha and Omega methods).
• Develop students' confidence and independence by teaching self-regulation strategies and effective literacy practices.
• Assist in the development of school-wide initiatives and programs that foster a love for reading and literacy among all students.
• Support the integration of assistive technologies and resources to aid students with dyslexia or literacy barriers.
• Learning Diversity and Inclusion Support Teacher
• Support the Learning Diversity, Inclusion and Counselling (LDIC) Coordinator in monitoring teaching and learning practices in the school to meet the needs of students with learning differences.  
• Develop effective strategies to include and meet the needs of all students; in particular those with additional learning needs.
• Assess students' responses to learning tasks and, where appropriate, modify methods to meet individual and/or group needs.  
• Deliver agreed interventions and support plans to individual students as directed by the LDIC Coordinator. 
• Develop and maintain effective and supportive relationships with students to support their specific learning programs and emotional needs.  
• Attend any additional academic support or counseling sessions with individual students as necessary. 
• Create and maintain Individual Education Plans, Individual Behaviour Plans, and Individual Student Profiles as required, under the supervision of the LDIC Coordinator.  
• Respect the confidentiality of student information and respond sensitively to student’s needs, providing assistance with care and welfare and with the learning activities undertaken.  
• Encourage and develop greater independence by helping students to manage their learning and progress.  
• Work with colleagues to deliver training on specific intervention programs, assessments, and evaluation plans.

Other Responsibilities:

• Plan, keep, and report appropriate records to school management and parents.
• Take an active role in the development of the LDIC Department, in partnership with other staff.
• Organise and lead extra-curricular activities and student engagement to promote positive interactions among students of all ages and develop their academic, creative, and sporting potential. 
• Take an active role in school events and provide coaching or other support to school teams for sports, MUN, debates, etc. 

General:

• Maintain knowledge of current educational theory and practice and undertake professional training in liaison with the LDIC Coordinator.
• Act by the budgets, policies, procedures, directions, and decisions of the school management 
• Act as ambassador for the school and act in a manner that upholds the values and ethos of the school at all times 
• Maintain high-quality standards in all areas of the school 
• Any other tasks as decided by management that contribute to the provision of quality education for students for the effective development of the School. 

Reporting:

Report to the Learning Diversity, Inclusion, and Counselling Coordinator

Timing & Duration:

The position is available starting Wednesday 13 August 2025. This is a full-time long-term position with an initial contract of 2 or 3 years (subject to 3 months’ probation) which will be renewable by mutual consent.