Employment

As a Catholic International School we believe that teaching is a vocation, a calling, not just a job.  Like our students, Seisen International School's faculty members represent many different nationalities and faiths. In keeping with our mission, we seek to build a diverse community that represents a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We believe that our students’ learning, interactions and growth is more exciting and enriching when they interact with peers and teachers who bring a diversity of backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives to campus. Seisen International School is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity and anti racist principles in its recruitment and staffing practices.
 

Statement of Non-Discrimination

At Seisen International School we foster an inclusive community that values and celebrates the experiences of people of different faith traditions, races, ethnicities, nationalities, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, family structures, economic positions, physical abilities, and learning profiles*.  We follow the call of Pope Francis to 'what our common brotherhood requires of us',  and we commit to reaffirming the dignity of every human person created in the image and likeness of God.

Seisen International School is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or physical disability.

*Learning Profiles can encompass the following information about a student

• Skills, strengths, and interests
• Aspirations and passions
• Likes and dislikes
• Life experiences
• How the student likes to learn
• Struggles or potential barriers to learning

We seek to attract teachers who are: 

• Willing to embrace the school's Catholic identity and Mission
• Committed to Social Justice
• Dynamic, passionate and compassionate educators
• Dedicated to students and who foster positive professional relationships with them
• Enthusiastic about teaching within a multicultural environment with a commitment to global mindedness and a high degree of intercultural competence
• Flexible in approach and who have a collaborative style 
• Committed to their own personal and professional lifelong learning
• Resilient and Pragmatic
• Willing to step up and help out by actively participating in extracurricular activities, school development projects and other school activities. 
• Inquiry-based and concept-driven educators
• In possession of a Positive / Growth mindset 

"Staff members repeatedly mentioned the school as a place of deep collegial respect and mutual support. Not surprisingly students themselves were found to be positive about life at Seisen. These two groups reflect this positive energy back and forth."

Evaluator Feedback from Preparatory Report November 2020

Our faculty and staff come from more than 21 different countries. A number of them are former international school students themselves or identify as adult Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Their international background and experience contribute to a learning environment that responds to the students' cultural diversity and meets the needs of an international student population.
Seisen International School educators are trained and certified in their respective fields and more than 48% of them hold Masters degrees and 4% hold a Doctorate degree. Our faculty average 18 years of experience in education. Some teachers come to Japan for just a few years and then move on to new positions elsewhere. Others remain at Seisen International School for much of their career: 32% of the teaching staff has served the school for 10 years or more. An average stay is around 4 years. 

*Applicants for teaching positions must have an active teaching license from a state, province, or governmental authority and certification that covers the specific teaching assignment for which they are applying, both in subject matter or specialized role and grade level, with at least 2 years qualified experience.
 

We support and follow all applications for work visas ( instructor visas) and other official paperwork necessary to enable full time teachers to live and work in Japan.  To secure such faculty members we rely heavily upon the support of several international placement organisations including but not restricted to SEARCH Associates and Times Educational Supplement (TES). We also recruit teachers already based in Japan.
Applicants who are shortlisted for positions will have an informal interview with the Head of School, followed by a formal interview with the respective Principal, the Head of School and including the respective Head of Department or the PYP Coordinator  as appropriate for the position being advertised. 

Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP), we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.
Seisen International School will:
a) Perform ‘live contact’ ( phone, skype, face to face) reference checks of at least 2 references
b) Perform one reference check from direct supervisor of candidate (minimum level of Assistant Principal)
c) Contact all references through business email / business phone numbers
d) Verify credentials
e) Conduct internet checks of all prospective employees
f) Require Police background checks
g) Review and update recruitment practices as per ITFCP recommendations/ requirements
 

Seisen International School is committed to nurturing a positive culture and ethos of life-long learning. Continuing Professional Development is an essential component of that culture and is necessary for improving both teacher and student learning. We have a strong, forward moving Professional Development Program, based on respect, support, inclusion, challenge and sustainability together with a desire to build professionalism.

Professional Development at Seisen is:

• Aligned with the Seisen mission statement, guiding principles and teacher profile.
• An integral part of the vision and strategic planning for the systemic growth and improvement of Seisen.
• A catalyst to enhance student learning.
• Intrinsically linked to the Seisen Performance Development Process that includes teacher collaboration.
• An on-going process, that includes follow-up and continuous feedback.
• A dimension of Seisen’s investment in Professional Capital.
• A support for the development of faculty’s professional capabilities and competences, and the enhancement of the quality of their teaching and their confidence.

PD opportunities include:

• School-wide workshops by external consultants to work with faculty on identified K-12 goals.
• International Baccalaureate (IB) and other local and international workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Collaborative projects attended by staff members inside and outside the school.
• Online courses / Webinars.
• Peer observation within Seisen International School, across departments and divisions.
• Job alike sessions with other member schools of the Japan Council of International Schools.
• Regular after school weekly meetings.

Recruitment Practices at Seisen International School

Aligned with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection, we hold ourselves to a high standard of effective recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection.
Seisen International School will:

1. Perform ‘live contact’ ( phone, skype, face to face) reference checks of at least 2 references
2. Perform one reference check from direct supervisor of candidate (minimum level of Assistant Principal)
3. Contact all references through business email / business phone numbers
4. Verify credentials
5. Conduct internet checks of all prospective employees
6. Require Police background checks
7. Referees will always be asked specific questions about:
   1. the candidate’s suitability for working with children and young people;
   2. any disciplinary warnings, including time-expired warnings, that relate to the safeguarding of children or otherwise;
   3. any formal capability matters or issues that have been raised; and the candidate’s suitability for this post
   4. any concerns about the candidate working unattended with children
   5. any of the candidate’s colleagues, students or parents expressing such concerns
   6. whether the referee would rehire the candidate (Why or why not according to the response received).
8.   Seisen International School will always verify the identity of referees by using only business email addresses and telephone numbers, unless retired, in which case personal numbers will be checked using online directory services and other available professional sources. A detailed written note will be kept of such exchanges using a school template for this purpose.
   1. Where necessary, previous employers who have not been named as referees will be contacted in order to clarify any anomalies or discrepancies. A detailed written note will be kept of such exchanges. 
9. Review and update recruitment practices as per ITFCP recommendations/ requirements

Training
Seisen International School is committed to annual general in-house training for all faculty and staff in student safeguarding with a review of the code of conduct, how to handle a disclosure and  scenarios. Other avenues of training may be online or in person training via a recommended facilitator. Training of designated faculty for specific roles in the Student Safeguarding Team is a priority.

Review
Seisen International School is committed to a yearly review of Student Safeguarding practices and policy to determine effectiveness and relevance. Input from faculty and staff will be welcomed.
 

Several scams relating to non-existent teaching jobs at international schools have circulated on the Internet in recent years, which include information taken from official websites. 

Candidates should carefully consider the requests made by individuals or organizations when applying to any reputable international school. 
Seisen International School does not:

• Send job offers from free email services like Gmail, Yahoo mail, Hotmail, etc.
• Ask or require teacher candidates to send money for application fees, visas, or any other costs associated with recruitment or moving to Tokyo.
• Authorize anyone to either collect money or arrive at any monetary arrangement in return for a job at Seisen International School.

All candidates are urged to use extreme caution if they have been asked for money or private information.

Seisen International School will not accept liability, under any circumstances, for loss and/or damage resulting from these unauthorised advertisements, whether direct or consequential.
 

"Staff members repeatedly mentioned the school as a place of deep collegial respect and mutual support. Not surprisingly students themselves were found to be positive about life at Seisen. These two groups reflect this positive energy back and forth."

Evaluator Feedback from Accreditation Visit

"Clear guidelines about the appropriate student teacher communication are in place. Seisen also provides and environment that empowers students thorough interdependence. As teachers are very accessible friendly and supportive we can easily seek help wether it is about school work or personal problems. Many would even describe the close teacher-student relationships as the best part of Seisen. Additionally the school principals are very approachable making it easier for students to create strong bonds with them and talk to them about issues they my be having."

Student quote from CIS/NEASC Preparatory Report (November 2020)

Seisen is located in the green surroundings of Setagaya Ward, one of Tokyo’s most desirable ex-pat family residential areas, offering a variety of housing options. The school has been on it’s current campus near Yoga Station since 1972. Komazawa Park, Kinuta Park or the Tama River green belt are all just a short walk or bike ride away. In addition to the nearby entertainment areas of Jiyugaoka and FutakoTamagawa the school is five train stops from Shibuya and the heart of Tokyo. Seisen’s prime location thus offers staff numerous opportunities for recreation, culture and entertainment.

All Seisen International staff, faculty, and administrators are mandated to report incidences of abuse and neglect. All Seisen International staff, faculty and administrators are also required to report suspicion of abuse or neglect. All reports of abuse and neglect must be made to the Child Protection Officer / division counselor, or division principal should the counselor be unavailable, within 24 hours for immediate response. The counselor reports to the division principal and the Child Protection Officer. The Child Protection Officer must in turn report to the Head of School. Verbal reports must also be supported by signed written documentation by the person or persons submitting the report.