Director of Teaching & Learning

Country Day is an international school at the heart of Costa Rica with outstanding US-accredited academics, and part of Nord Anglia family of premium schools worldwide.  On our sustainable campus and within our welcoming, diverse community, our students take the lead and pursue their passions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Our teachers focus on all aspects of our student’s growth, from Early Learning to 12th grade, to support their talents and aptitudes in the best ways, and this includes their personal, social, and emotional wellness. Our trips beyond the classroom, clubs, and activities across the arts, athletics, and community service shape your child’s character in connection with their academic interests. Students take the lead in their own learning at CDS, sharing their needs and goals as people, and carving out their own path.

Job Description

Position Overview: Country Day School of Costa Rica (CDS) is seeking a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as the Director of Teaching and Learning. The DTL will oversee the entire educational landscape at CDS (Pre-K through grade 12), ensuring that all learning initiatives are aligned with the school's mission and vision. This leader will drive strategic, innovative changes across the academic environment by leveraging technology, data, and collaborative learning practices to create a forward-thinking and adaptable learning ecosystem. The DTL will take the lead in ensuring that learning is continuous, impactful, and meets the needs of a diverse and evolving student body. 

The DTL will play a critical role in shaping the school’s academic transformation, ensuring that all learning systems are aligned with both long-term goals and the day-to-day needs of students. This individual will focus on building a culture of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement, while also ensuring that faculty development and institutional learning processes are at the forefront of the school’s priorities. 

The DTL will directly supervise the house principals, Learning Support Coordinator, and the Student Activities Coordinator and serve as the General Director when needed. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership of Learning: 

• Lead the development and implementation of an academic vision that aligns with the school’s mission and goals, focusing on creating an adaptive learning culture. 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive learning strategy that aligns with CDS's mission and goals, ensuring that educational programs are forward-thinking and adaptable. 

• Use data and evidence-based strategies to inform academic decision-making and continuously refine learning experiences across the school. 

• Ensure that the learning environment is responsive to the needs of students, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and equity in all academic initiatives. 

Transformational Leadership & Change Management: 

• Lead the transformation of the school’s academic offerings by introducing innovative practices and redesigning educational experiences that are future-ready. 

• Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, challenging traditional approaches and embracing new ideas that enhance student engagement, teacher effectiveness, and overall academic performance. 

• Actively engage with faculty, staff, and students to inspire buy-in and commitment to change, creating ownership of learning initiatives at all levels. 

Learning Ecosystem Design: 

• Design and implement learning ecosystems that are flexible and responsive to the diverse needs of students, integrating technology, personalized learning, and collaborative methodologies. 

• Develop and maintain systems that allow for constant feedback and improvement, ensuring that educational practices remain effective and forward-thinking. 

• Ensure that the learning environment adapts to the needs of both teachers and students, promoting innovation, engagement, and academic rigor. 

Data-Driven Decision Making & Continuous Improvement: 

• Establish data-driven systems that allow faculty to use insights from student performance and classroom interactions to continuously refine instructional practices. 

• Analyze trends in academic performance, providing actionable insights to support school-wide strategic decisions and ensuring the alignment of curriculum and assessments with desired learning outcomes. 

• Promote a culture of reflective practice, where data is used to inform not only teaching practices but also curriculum development and long-term academic planning. 

Professional Development & Capacity Building: 

• Lead professional development efforts that empower teachers to adopt new pedagogical strategies, integrate technology, and implement innovative learning practices that drive student achievement. 

• Ensure that professional learning aligns with both current educational trends and the long-term goals of the school, fostering a culture of growth and learning among staff. 

• Build the capacity of academic leaders within the school to be champions of change and innovation, ensuring that they are well-equipped to lead and support their teams effectively. 

Collaborative Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Foster a collaborative approach to leadership, working closely with school principals, teachers, and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment across the school’s academic programs. 

• Engage with parents and the wider community to ensure that the school’s educational strategies meet the evolving needs of students and align with family and community expectations. 

• Promote transparency and clear communication across all academic initiatives, ensuring that all stakeholders understand the vision and are invested in the school’s academic transformation. 

Accountability & Quality Assurance: 

• Oversee the processes that ensure academic quality and compliance with both internal and external standards, including accreditation requirements. 

• Drive the school’s efforts to meet and exceed expectations related to educational outcomes, ensuring continuous progress towards academic excellence. 

• Ensure that CDS remains a leader in education by staying informed about the latest trends, research, and best practices in learning and educational leadership. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: 

• Leads with integrity and empathy, creating a compassionate and inclusive environment that nurtures both students and staff. 

• Demonstrates cultural competence, showing respect for and celebration of the diverse backgrounds of the CDS community, and is committed to cultivating a sense of belonging for all members. 

• Champions the school’s mission, vision, and values, ensuring that these principles guide decisions and initiatives. 

• Ensures that all decisions, programs, and initiatives are student-centered and grounded in the best interests of students, prioritizing their academic and personal growth. 

• Builds and nurtures strong, healthy relationships based on mutual trust and respect, and fosters an environment where civil, professional discourse is the foundation of conflict resolution and decision-making. 

• Holds themselves and others to a high standard of excellence, consistently striving for continuous improvement and achievement. 

• Data informed practitioner 

At Nord Anglia Education we are committed to providing a world class, safe, happy environment in which children and young people can thrive and learn. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils where we embrace all race, abilities, religions, genders, and cultures.

All post holders in regulated activity (having regular unsupervised contact with children) are subject to appropriate national and international vetting procedures including satisfactory criminal record checks from both your country of residence/birth and any country of residence within the last 10 years.

We welcome applications from suitable qualified persons from all diverse backgrounds.

Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.