Junior School Learning Strategist Associate

 

School Overview

SJS, is a leading independent, all gender K-12 IB school in Vancouver, Canada. At SJS we prioritize enriching education that nurtures learning competencies, agency, love for learning, and student well-being. Teachers at SJS encourage students to engage thoughtfully in their learning, to be risk-takers in their learning and strive to achieve their highest potential. 

In the junior school we offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) to all students in Grades JK-5. We offer a holistic programme to all students that consists of experiential opportunities for students to engage in learning in the arts, athletics, outdoor education, leadership roles, and community service.

 

 

Position Purpose & Overview

St. John’s School (SJS) is seeking a qualified and experienced IB Learning Strategist Associate. The IB Learning Strategist Associate will be a collaborative member of the Junior School and will contribute to the student development experience at SJS. Staff at SJS are expected to exemplify excellent professional practice and demonstrate our core values of courage, curiosity, integrity, respect, and wellness. The Learning Strategist Associate will provide inclusive learning opportunities differentiated to the needs, abilities and stage of development of each student. They will be responsible for effectively planning, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities, learning engagements, and modified instruction that is provided to primary students. This position will be working with primary-aged students. The successful candidate supports student wellbeing, participates in co-curricular commitments of the school, and is reliable in exercising their daily responsibilities.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities and duties are inclusive of, but not limited to:

• Assess student’s abilities and craft individualized teaching plans and modified instruction.
• Collaborate with the Learning Strategist team (e.g. school counsellors and speech therapists) to create holistic intervention plans collaborating with parents and school staff to track students’ progress.
• Collaborate with primary teachers to communicate assessment and evaluation strategies.
• Support the classroom teachers in the planning and implementation of individualized and/or group behaviour programs in specialized or integrated settings, such as regular or resource classrooms.
• Maintain regular communications with the supervising teacher and other team members, including parents and other relevant professionals.
  Adapt learning materials to students’ needs.
• Observe, record, and reflect on students’ progress, maintaining detailed written records as required.
• Find development appropriate and engaging activities to teach skills.
• Prepare students for transitions to the next grade.
• Plan, organize, and implement a range of learning engagements and experiences.
• Supervise student(s) both on and off the school campus as required.
• Work with students with cognitive and/or physical challenges, including students with diagnosed neurodevelopmental conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Act as a resource for all school staff in regard to procedures and directives for inclusive education.
• Endorse the school’s mission, vision, and values.
• Create a safe, effective, challenging, ethical and organized learning environment.
• Maintain relevant understanding of and be active in using appropriate and effective technology to enhance instruction and learning.
• Participate in faculty, student, and parent meetings and special events, as required.
• Model respectful and timely communication with students, colleagues, and parents, in line with the school’s Mutual Respect policy.
• Attend professional development programmes, participate in “on campus” professional learning, attend professional meetings which relate to curricular, administrative or organizational matters as required, attend relevant meetings and training as scheduled by the Head of Department, Curriculum Coordinators and Senior Leadership Team.
• Engage or offer co-curricular activity(ies) for Senior School students.
• Demonstrate reliability in and understanding of implementation of risk and student management strategies.

 

 

Required Qualifications and Key Skills

Education & Work Experience

• Completion of a secondary school graduation program or equivalent.
• Completion of a post-secondary Educational Assistant program, including or supplemented by training in conflict resolution and non-violent crisis intervention, or an equivalent combination of training and experience, is considered an asset.
• 2+ years’ experience as an associate/assistant role at a primary school level working with children with learning exceptionalities and specifically children with autism.
• 1+ year experience working with students with behavioural needs, autism, pervasive developmental disorders, etc., is considered an asset.
• Experience with documentation in an educational environment.
• Experience with a 1:1 model of individualizing and guiding children through self-paced learning.
• Ability to implement behaviour management strategies and flexibility in responding to student behaviour.
• Knowledge and understanding of the IB PYP curriculum or BC Primary Years curriculum.
• A sound knowledge of early childhood development and pedagogy.
• Need to be legally entitled to work in Canada.
• A Basic First Aid certificate is considered an asset.

 

Qualities and Skills

• Demonstrated professional growth and patience working with children.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A dynamic, adaptable, and enthusiastic team player.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to implement and adapt behavioural management techniques in responses to student behaviours.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Collaborative team player who is able to take direction well.

 

This role will require working hours outside of school office hours: often evening events; occasionally going offsite to document student programs; and occasional morning and weekend commitments.

 

This job profile outlines the key responsibilities for the roles and is not meant to be exhaustive. This will include performing the administrative and related tasks or any other responsibilities required to reasonably meet the needs of St. John’s School, including, but not limited to the general duties outlined in the position profile. 

 

It should be understood that the activities, responsibilities and obligations of this position may be modified from time to time, through discussion between the direct supervisor and the employee, in order to effectively meet the requirements of the School. On rare occasions where there are urgent needs at the School, an employee may be assigned to temporarily backfill role(s) critical to the school’s operations and business continuity.

 

 

Conditions of Employment

• The successful candidate will be required to complete child abuse prevention training, concussion training, Level 1 first-aid training provided by St. John’s School and provide consent for a criminal background check for the vulnerable sector.
• Clearance on criminal record checks for vulnerable sector is a condition of employment.
• The ability to legally work in Canada, in an educational setting is a condition of employment.

 

Job Information

• Full-time permanent contract from August 21, 2025.
• Work location: on-site.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Annual Salary of $62,133. The annual salary will be updated based on changes made to the 2025/26 salary grid, before the contract begins. Annual salary is prorated based on the length of the contract.

 

 

Reporting Structure

• Reports To: Junior School Principal
• Direct Reports: None
• Department: Junior School
• Key Interactions:
  • Internal: Faculty, non-teaching employees, payroll administrator, School Principals, and Vice-Principals.
  • External: Parents/guardians, students, and alumni.

 

Applications

All interested candidates should include the following items in their application:

• Resume & Cover Letter
• Copies of any relevant certificates and diplomas.
• Three Professional References with contact details.

All interested candidates should submit their complete application at the following link:

 

Junior School Learning Strategist Associate

 

The posting will be active until filled. If you are having any problems submitting your application, please email [email protected]

 

 

 

St. John’s School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John’s School is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified job seekers, from BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of colour), persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ (persons of all sexual orientations and genders). If you are an applicant with a disability, we will work with you to make reasonable workplace accommodations you may need for your best work performance.