Elementary Learning Support Teacher - G5 Individualized Support

Teaching at Canadian Academy

CA’s Elementary School is a highly collaborative professional environment where innovation is encouraged, and student learning and well-being drive everything we do. Grade-level teams work closely together and learn from one another, and opportunities for professional development abound. A low student-teacher ratio and a stimulating, well-resourced, technology-rich environment make this an exceptional place to teach. Our teachers get to know their students well, both in and out of the classroom, and work together to ensure that every student is appropriately challenged and supported.

Canadian Academy teachers inspire minds and nurture compassion by providing a rich and engaging programme that develops students’ skills, promotes curiosity and a love of learning, and prioritizes well-being. All students follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) in PK–Grade 5 and the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6–10. Most students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 and 12, although some students follow more personalized pathways to graduation.

Position Summary

Canadian Academy seeks an experienced, compassionate, and collaborative Learning Support Teacher to work one-on-one with a Grade 5 student who follows a significantly modified academic programme.

The successful candidate will design and deliver individualized instruction in literacy and mathematics and other subjects as needed, while supporting the student’s participation in the broader Grade 5 programme. Working closely with classroom teachers, specialists, learning support staff, and the student’s family, the Learning Support Teacher will help ensure that the student is appropriately challenged, included, and supported throughout the school day.

While the primary responsibility of this role is supporting one student’s individualized programme, the successful candidate will also serve as an active member of the Grade 5 teaching team. During periods of classroom inclusion, the Learning Support Teacher will work alongside the classroom teacher as a collaborative co-teacher, supporting differentiated instruction and helping create an inclusive learning environment that benefits all students.

This role requires an educator who is flexible, relationship-oriented, and committed to inclusive education. The ideal candidate will be comfortable balancing individualized instruction with supporting the student’s participation in classroom learning, specialist classes, field trips, and other aspects of school life.

This is a full-time position beginning in August 2026. AS THIS IS A LATE SEASON VACANCY, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT ALREADY HAVE A VISA TO WORK IN JAPAN. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Develop and deliver individualized literacy and mathematics instruction aligned with the student’s learning goals
• Collaborate closely with the Grade 5 teaching team to determine when the student should participate in classroom learning and when individualized instruction is most appropriate
• Support the student’s successful participation in the PYP Units of Inquiry and specialist classes, including Physical Education, Music, and other learning experiences
• Accompany and support the student throughout the school day, helping them access learning opportunities, navigate routines, and engage meaningfully with peers and teachers
• When working within the mainstream classroom, collaborate closely with the classroom teacher as a co-teacher to support the learning of all students through effective differentiation, flexible grouping, and inclusive instructional practices
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of learning experiences that allow the student to participate meaningfully alongside peers while enhancing learning opportunities for the wider class
• Partner with classroom teachers to identify opportunities for inclusion, ensuring that decisions about individualized and classroom-based instruction are guided by both the student’s needs and the learning goals of the wider class community
• Adapt learning materials, assessments, and instructional approaches to meet the student’s individual learning needs
• Monitor student progress and maintain accurate records of learning goals, interventions, and outcomes
• Participate in collaborative planning meetings with classroom teachers, specialists, counselors, and learning support colleagues
• Communicate regularly and effectively with parents regarding student progress and development
• Contribute to the development and review of individualized learning plans and goals
• Support the student’s social, emotional, and academic growth within an inclusive school environment

All Canadian Academy Teachers Are Expected To:

• Create a vibrant learning environment that nurtures meaningful connections and cultivates a deep sense of care and compassion
• Design, prepare, and deliver learning activities that promote inquiry and authentic engagement
• Identify and select instructional resources and methods to meet students’ varying needs and align with the programmes and ethos of the school
• Use relevant technology to enhance teaching and learning
• Design and implement a range of authentic formative and summative assessments to inform instructional decisions
• Maintain accurate and complete records of student learning data to provide timely feedback, design appropriate learning engagements, and facilitate reporting
• Adhere to and advocate for our Child Safeguarding Policy and best practices in child protection
• Collaborate daily with relevant colleagues to enable effective co-planning, co-teaching, and co-assessment
• Contribute actively and thoughtfully in faculty meetings, collaborating with colleagues to enhance student learning and school initiatives
• Engage enthusiastically in school events and parent meetings, fostering strong connections within the school community and supporting student success
• Lead by example with respectful, clear, and timely communication, fostering trust and meaningful connections with students, colleagues, and parents
• Embrace opportunities for growth by actively engaging in professional development and continually enhancing your skills to inspire and elevate the learning community
• Endorse the school’s mission, vision, and values

Required Qualifications:

• Must have a teaching certification and/or relevant academic qualification
• Minimum of two years of experience working with elementary-aged students
• Demonstrated ability to build strong, positive relationships with students
• Experience adapting curriculum and instruction to meet individual learning needs
• Must be Japanese citizen/permanent resident or in possession of visa to work in Japan

Preferred Experience and Qualities (in no particular order):

• 5+ years of relevant teaching or learning support experience
• Successful experience teaching in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP)
• Experience supporting students with moderate learning needs
• Experience developing and implementing individualized learning plans
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Strong organizational, communication, administrative, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to support diverse learning needs while working collaboratively with classroom teachers, counselors, learning support specialists, and families
• Experience supporting students with language-based learning challenges
• Commitment to inclusive education and a belief in the value of meaningful participation for all learners
• Patience, flexibility, creativity, and strong problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for connecting with students beyond the classroom through athletics, co-curricular activities, outdoor education, or other aspects of school life

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment:

In order to provide the best possible learning environment for our highly diverse, multicultural, international student population, Canadian Academy actively seeks to recruit educators from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in international school faculties. You are warmly encouraged to apply and invited to reach out for more information about our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.