Teach Overseas in Shenzhen

Avenues is on a mission: changing the world through education. With interconnected campuses under development in leading cities around the world, Avenues is uniquely positioned to develop leaders equipped to face and solve the complex global challenges of the future.

Avenues: The World School-Shenzhen (Avenues Shenzhen) is working towards accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on International Education. The school currently enrolls 290 K–5 students, most of whom are Chinese, with 6% from North America and the U.K. Half of the teaching staff of 32 is from China and the other half from North America and the U.K.

The Avenues Shenzhen Early Learning Center provides experiences that promote competency and the mastery of developmental tasks through adjusting expectations, varied activities and materials, and interactions with the learning environment. Children use a variety of sensory experiences to learn concepts, and units are presented thematically to expose children to new concepts and expand their knowledge of the world around them in an authentic and organic way. Most of the goals of the program focus on processes rather than isolated skills; therefore, mastery is reflected along a continuum of growth. This provides children the opportunity to experience success in terms of their individual developmental stage.

The Avenues Shenzhen Lower Division offers a rich, interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on inquiry, discovery, creativity, and building community. Children are provided with meaningful opportunities to use their skills both as members of a community and as independent learners. Clear expectations for learning are set, but differentiated instruction helps ensure academic success.

The middle years program within the Upper Grades Division is progressive in its emphasis on depth of learning over breadth of exposure, its project- and problem-based orientation, and its interdisciplinary nature. However, the program rests upon a traditional foundation of vertical cohesion and the mastery of crucial academic skills.

The upper grades program within the Upper Grades Division offers The World Course, the Avenues Mastery program, service learning, and the utilization of the incredible resources of the city and the local neighborhood. The curriculum is organized into three major areas: humanities; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM); and life skills. Humanities comprise English, history, The World Course, and both the visual and performing arts. The science program, following the sequence recommended by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), starts with physics in ninth grade, followed by chemistry in 10th grade, biology in 11th grade, and a series of electives offered to students in their senior year as well as any student with a passion for science. The area of life skills includes world languages, the Avenues Mastery program, service-learning, physical education, and wellness. During Advisory, students are mentored in practical life skills, like time management, personal finance, collaborative skills, and conflict resolution. College counseling is available for older students to help place them in the colleges, universities or other higher-education institutions that are the best fit for their interests.

Avenues Shenzhen places emphasis on other areas of student development as well. The arts and athletics are incorporated into every student’s schedule. Younger students can participate in a variety of extended day programs, both before and after school. Some programs are provided as a free service for Avenues parents, while others are offered for a fee.

Avenues Shenzhen is interested in hiring singles and teaching couples. They will also consider couples with a non-teaching spouse, interns, exceptional newly-certified teachers, and experienced teachers lacking certification. Teachers must hold their academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. Teachers of English language must hold passports from the U.K., U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or Ireland. The organization adds,

At Avenues Shenzhen, qualified revolutionaries receive frequent feedback and professional learning; enjoy unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, including a well defined career pathways model and chances to teach abroad; work in a beautiful and uplifting school environment; impact education by demonstrating what’s possible; and are compensated competitively for their skills and experience. Most of all, you’ll be part of changing the world.

The benefits package includes a housing allowance, annual airfare, and partial tuition remission and/or assistance for all employees. Worldwide health insurance—except the U.S.—is fully covered and includes dental, life insurance, emergency evacuation, and long-term disability. Professional development is provided, as is daily lunch. These benefits add up to some good savings.

Avenues: The World School– Shenzhen’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.

Please note: the information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.