Foundation Phase Teacher

2027 Hiring Season is in full swing! We are currently in search of rockstar teammates who will meaningfully empower Future Innovators and Leaders to start in the year 2027! #AlwaysGrowing! 

Nova Pioneer is looking for a superstar Teacher to teach foundation phase at our North-Riding Primary school. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic teacher to empower students using an enquiry-based learning approach and to be a part of an innovative network of schools that is developing generations of innovators and leaders who will shape the African Century. 

About Nova Pioneer

Imagine a world in which every young person across Africa attends a school that truly sets them up for success in the 21st century. A school that cares about individual students and allows them to explore the world around them. A school that focuses more on developing skills than on memorizing content. At Nova Pioneer, we have done more than just imagine this future, we are bringing it to life. Nova Pioneer is a pan-African, independent network of schools offering high quality, accessible education from pre-primary through secondary school. Nova Pioneer uses a unique, enquiry-based learning approach that encourages students to ask “why” instead of telling them the “what”. It allows them to form their own thinking through exploration, investigation and collaboration. Nova Pioneer currently has 16 schools in South Africa and Kenya with a vision to launch 100 schools and reach tens of thousands of students across the African continent in the next decade. To learn more visit www.novapioneer.com.

About the Role
We are looking for a Teacher to teach Grade 2 starting in January 2027. Resident Teachers lead instruction and planning for the subject- or grade-level classrooms and are responsible for driving a rigorous, enquiry-based learning environment the Nova Pioneer way. Resident Teachers are supported by Deans of Instruction who partner with them in their growth journey - working full-time to empower teachers’ development by observing lessons and providing consistent feedback and coaching. Resident Teachers also support and mentor Apprentice Teachers. See below to learn more about the teaching model at Nova Pioneer.

Key responsibilities for the role include:

• Work closely with learning designers to design impactful lessons
• Deliver impactful and engaging enquiry-based lessons with a focus on learning through play
• Observe, coach, and be a model teacher for Apprentice and Assistant Teachers
• Provide a flexible, nurturing environment that is child-centered and focused on and responsive to the dynamic needs of young children.
• Assisting with toilet training and toilet routines of pre-schoolers as well as developing the key skills of socialisation, separation, and speech development.
• Infuse joy and passion for learning into lessons so that students are excited about and invested in their development.
• Set and communicate rigorous and ambitious goals for all students within an age appropriate set of expectations.
• Conduct ongoing assessment of student progress and communicate this with parents on a regular basis.
• Attend weekly feedback meetings with Deans and learning designers to enhance teaching practices
• Fully participate in opportunities for professional growth including daily team meetings and reflections, weekly professional development meetings, instructional coaching, and organisation wide learning and reflection
• Communicate regularly with parents through e-mail, telephone and parent-teacher conferences
• Contribute to and participate in co-curricular programming for at least one activity in the course of a term
• Participate in a variety of collaborative teams and committees, fulfill supervision duties as assigned, including some morning, evening and weekend events

About You

Skills and Qualifications required:

• Completed Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed) or Bachelor’s Degree + Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) -  (Foundation Phase)
• SACE registered (Kindly provide registration number and certificate in application
• Understand child development and exhibit a sound understanding of play-based learning
• Experience in Reggio Emilio would be an added advantage
• Ability to lead a classroom independently, with experience in a classroom (practicals included)

Key attributes to succeed in the role:

• You love teaching and care deeply about the success of each and every student
• You have an understanding of and passion for enquiry based, student-centered learning
• You have a deep understanding of children and you know how to connect with the specific age group that you teach
• You are deeply committed to your development as a teacher and welcome constructive feedback, translating feedback into improvements and innovations in your approach and in your classroom
• You are able to work within a team-based environment and collaborate with other resident teachers, apprentice teachers and deans
• You communicate openly and effectively with your colleagues
• You are adept at using technology for instruction

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Police Clearance (no older than 6 months) 
• ID Copy / Passport
• Work Permit (if applicable) 
• SACE certificate

HOW TO APPLY

Does working at Nova Pioneer excite you? If so, then apply now!

To apply, please complete the form on the right hand side of this page. We cannot process applications that are emailed to us.

Please note: Where a copy of your resume is required, copying and pasting from a formatted document e.g. Microsoft Word may not result in the formatting transferring correctly to the final resume. You are encouraged to attach your resume in Microsoft Word® or PDF format to protect formatting.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the right candidate is identified. Only qualified candidates will be invited for interviews.

About Teaching at Nova Pioneer

Nova Pioneer teachers don’t lecture, they lead discussions and facilitate projects that help students engage deeply and think critically about course material. There are two types of teachers at Nova Pioneer: Resident Teachers and Apprentice Teachers.

Resident Teachers are able to lead classrooms and, depending on the grade level they are teaching, have strong content knowledge. Resident Teachers are typically qualified teachers with classroom experience or have a strong ability to lead a classroom independently, lesson planning supports teachers to enable them to deliver rigorous enquiry-based learning and to engage deeply with students to help them on their individual learning journeys.

Working at Nova Pioneer

Nova Pioneer is committed to the achievement and maintenance of diversity and equity in employment. Nova Pioneer is a place where our people experience tremendous growth, fast! We invest heavily in the growth of our people because it leads to greater mastery in both us and our students. “Novaneers” work harder and work longer hours than most schools but as a result, the growth they experience is extraordinary. We offer consistent and ongoing personal development and provide clear career pathways that ensure that our people are always achieving their personal and professional best. Nova Pioneer has a highly energetic, entrepreneurial environment where our people get to bring their creative and innovative ideas to life. We look for people who are flexible and who are able to adapt and respond quickly to adversity with a positive, can-do attitude (there are no problems, only solutions!). We welcome challenges and roll with the punches because it makes us, and our students, better. There is no problem too big for us! We work hard but we also have a lot of fun together. We bring infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything we do because joy fuels the hardest work and learning. Read more about our culture principles here. 

Please Note:

• Nova Pioneer may appoint and/or expire the posting of this advertisement at their own discretion.
• If you have not been contacted within 30 days of the closing date of this advertisement please consider your application as unsuccessful. 

Nova Pioneer, in line with the POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measurements will be in place to protect personal information but it will be used for recruitment and employment purposes. By submitting your application with Nova Pioneer, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer. 

Nova Pioneer will never request an application fee from candidates. If you are contacted with a request to pay a fee from someone claiming to be a Nova Pioneer Talent or Recruitment representative, please do not pay them and report it to us immediately on [email protected] or [email protected].