Demystifying the IB
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program has gained significant popularity in recent years, with many international schools adopting its curriculum. For teachers eager to join these schools but lacking direct IB teaching experience, here are some key strategies to convince recruiters that your existing skills and experience make you a strong candidate for an IB teaching position.
My main piece of feedback or advice to other candidates would be that the IB MYP program is not as daunting as it appears, and the principles of teaching and learning stay the same: the skills I learnt about relationship-building, literacy development, explicit teaching, formative assessment and classroom management in an Australian teaching degree and at an Australian government high school are not only applicable to an IB international school, they are actually really highly valued. If you’re an early career teacher who is dedicated to improving their practice but worried an IB school might value someone with more experience, just back yourself! Julian (teaching candidate).
Your resume and cover letter should highlight your transferable skills, knowledge of IB philosophy, and willingness to learn. In any letter of application you want to ‘hook’ the interest of the reader and help the reader/recruiter see that they may not have any experience, but they have potential and they know how to transfer what they do know and can do to the IB school. During the interview, articulate your understanding of IB and give examples of how your teaching experience aligns with IB practices.
Here’s a quick overview of the IB, followed by tips and sample interview questions.
Mission
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. There is one umbrella organisation and 3 regions in the world (The Americas, Asia Pacific and Africa/Europe/Middle East. What is an IB education?
The Four Programmes
PYP – Primary Years Program
Ages from 3 -12
Inquiry-based
Six units covering transdisciplinary themes
Planned collaboratively
Main components of a unit plan include:
- Central idea
- Lines of inquiry
- Teacher questions
- Provocations
- Learning activities
- Formative and summative assessment
Sample unit:
- Theme: Sharing the planet
- Central idea: People have rights and responsibilities in sharing finite resources
- Key concepts: Responsibility, Perspective
- Related concepts: Rights, Finite resources
- Lines of inquiry:
- Uses and sources of water
• Distribution and availability of usable water
• Responsibilities and rights regarding water - Subject areas: Science, Social Sciences, Language Arts, History, Geography
A PYP nano resource is a short, self-paced online workshop or learning resource from the International Baccalaureate (IB) that provides educators with support and understanding about key aspects of the Primary Years Programme (PYP). As you watch, find connections with what you are already experienced in. Click here for more information
MYP – Middle Years Program
Ages from 11-16
Eight subject areas –
Language and Literature- Language Acquisition
- Individuals and Societies
- Design
- Physical and Health Education
- Mathematics
- Arts
- Sciences
IB Diploma – International Baccalaureate
Final 2 years of High School (Gr 11-12)
Six subject areas+core(CAS/Extended Essay/ToK);
- 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard level (SL)
- Studies in Language and Literature (Lang A) – Group 1
- Language Acquisition (Lang B) – Group 2
- Individuals & Societies (Humanities) – Gp 3
- Sciences – Gp 4
- Mathematics – Gp 5
- The Arts – Group 6 (or choice of Gp 2/3 or 4)
CP – framework/curriculum
Final 2 years of High School (Gr 11-12)
1,2,3 or 4 DP subjects+Core of 4 elements+Career related study
- Minimum 1, maximum 4 – IBDP subjects from any Group (Any combination HL/SL)
- Core – 4 elements (Approaches to Learning, Community and service, language development and Reflective Project)
- Plus a career related study (must be an accredited course and subject to quality assurance standards)
Action and Service
- The PYP Exhibition
- MYP – Service as Action, through community service
- DP – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)
- Preparation for the world beyond school – giving of your time to others
Workshops and trainings – https://ibo.org/professional-development/
I started as a first year IB DP Economics and Business teacher and over the next 8 years progressed to IB DP Examiner, Extended Essay Coordinator, PD Presenter, IB DP Coordinator, IB 5 Year Self Evaluation Leader and Board member of country IB schools association. I feel blessed with what I was able to achieve over the last 8 years. It’s been a great educational ‘journey’. (Past candidate).
How do I get a job in an IB school?
Identify what you are already doing in your own practice that would align with the IB. For example, highlight any transferable skills you have:
- Inquiry-based teaching methodologies
- Student-centered learning approaches
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Designing and implementing rigorous curriculum
- Assessment for learning strategies
- Experience with diverse student populations
- Strong classroom management and organizational skills
Demonstrate Knowledge of the IB Philosophy
Show that you have a solid understanding of the IB’s core principles, including:
- The IB learner profile
- The importance of international mindedness
- The inquiry-based approach to learning
- The focus on developing students’ holistic development
Express Willingness to Learn
Emphasize your enthusiasm for learning the IB program and your commitment to professional development.
Provide Evidence of Adaptability
Showcase your ability to adapt to new environments, curriculum, and teaching methodologies.
Emphasize Curriculum Development Experience
IB teachers are expected to develop and adapt curriculum. If you have experience with this, highlight it.
Showcase your assessment skills
The IB program has specific assessment requirements. If you have experience with a range of assessment strategies, especially designing your own assessments, show it.
Note: Some schools are highly competitive and require you to have actual IB experience (not just training) before you apply. If this is required, studying online, which is expensive, will not be worth it. Your new school will typically offer training.
Sample questions a recruiter may ask you
- The IB notes that the “how” and “why” you learn is as important as “what” you learn. How do you develop in your students an understanding of the “how” and “why”?
- How does your school, and more specifically your practice, support and develop some of the attributes of the IB learner profile? What examples could you share with an interviewer?
- How does your school and your practice build confidence and persistence in students to support them in achieving their goals?
- How do you integrate practices to support student well-being in your teaching?
- How do you help students develop responsibility for their own learning?
- Give examples of how you support students in developing intercultural understanding and global perspectives.
- Do you teach your “subject” as a stand-alone or do you make connections with other disciplines? Describe ways in which you make connections with other disciplines.
- How familiar are you with the pedagogical approach of concept-based inquiry? This impacts curriculum documentation as well as teaching practice.
There are a whole lot of NANO PDs created by the IBO that are free! They have them for subjects in the DP, as well as for CP, MYP and PYP. They are user friendly and easy to navigate and we suggest you spend some time learn more about what the IB curriculum and teaching is all about.
Once again we have been thrilled with the quality of candidates attending the Melbourne fair. While they may not have experience in IB, their teaching pedagogy and practice are exceptional. Tyler Sherwood, HOS Chatsworth International School. Winner of Best IB School , Singapore, 2024.