CALL FOR APPLICANTS
Academic Director
January 21, 2015
Reports to: Executive Director
As a project of Kwah Dao, a US and Thai registered non-profit organization, the
Banyan Center provides a high quality education in a multicultural and engaging
learning environment to children of stateless migrants from Myanmar and able
paying students from the local Pai area. Our core mission is to equip all of our
students, between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, with the foundational skills,
knowledge and support necessary to ensure their health and happiness as well as
their future academic success.
The Banyan Center is seeking an Academic Director to begin May 2015. The ideal
candidate will be contracted from May 2015 to March 2017. The school year runs
from May to March. The Academic Director has the month of April off for the
summer holiday plus 10 additional days leave to be taken throughout the year.
The Academic Director co-teaches a class of 20-25 students with our full-time Thai
Teacher and our full-time English Teacher. The philosophy of the Banyan Center is
to immerse students in a bilingual environment where they receive direct, smallgroup instruction and are also given the opportunity to direct their own learning
through centers work and materials. Through our emphasis on structured choice
and by exposing students to a range of topics and materials, we aim to foster
imagination, curiosity, respect and problem-solving – skills and values that are
essential for our students to thrive as happy, fulfilled and active individuals.
Position Summary:
The Academic Director is responsible for overseeing the teaching and curriculum at
the Banyan Center. Working with and reporting to the Executive Director, the
Academic Director coordinates the teaching schedule, plans the educational content
and leads the team of teachers in delivering curriculum. Additionally, the Academic
Director maintains all student academic records and curricular materials.
Responsibilities:
Management
 Manage teaching staff at Banyan Center and coordinate teaching schedule
 Review teachers’ observation notes and assessments
 Provide evaluations and constructive feedback to teaching staff
 Assist and support Executive Director with additional projects/work as
necessary
Record Keeping
 Maintain student academic records
 Complete, distribute and file student progress reports each term with
teachers
 Organize and maintain curricular and pedagogical materials
Maintenance
 Purchase materials, supplies, etc. (within specified budget)
Education
 Teach in the classroom
 Ensure that curriculum and teaching are meeting curricular objectives
 Plan with other teachers to ensure the needs of each student are being met
and every student is being challenged
 Provide feedback on ideas, lessons and activities of other teachers
 Adjust and strengthen curriculum as necessary
 Assist with planning and coordinating special events including parties or
field trips
Parent Communication
 Communicate with parents about their child’s work, progress and
performance
 Hold meetings each term with individual parents with teachers
 With Thai teacher, ensure that parents are aware of age appropriate learning
standards and goals
Communication
 Confer with Volunteer Educational Consultant regarding educational matters
and progress
 Work to enhance the reputation and standing of the Banyan Center in the
local community
Qualifications
 Bachelors degree in education or related field
 Prior experience teaching early childhood education
 Prior experience in a Montessori or other child-centered learning
environment
 Flexible, enthusiastic and takes initiative
 Works well as part of a team
 Basic computer skills
Preferred qualifications
 Higher degree in education or related field
 Prior management experience
 Prior experience working in multicultural settings
 Thai language skills
Compensation and Benefits
 15,000 THB/month (on par with local salaries)
 One month of paid vacation plus 10 additional days to be taken throughout
the year as necessary