Junior School Atelierista and Pedagogical Partner in Canberra

Radford College is an Anglican co-educational day school, committed to fostering global citizens by inspiring students from Pre-K to Year 12 to make good choices, self-regulate and be resilient as the foundations for academic success. The College is located in the suburb of Bruce, in Canberra.

The opportunity

Radford College is seeking an exceptional educator to join our Junior School as an Atelierista and Pedagogical Partner. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate and reflective teacher to contribute to the intellectual, creative and pedagogical life of the Early Learning Centre and Junior School. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational project and working within an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme context, this role supports children and educators to learn, inquire and create together.

Working alongside teachers, Student Support Assistants and children, the Atelierista and Pedagogical Partner acts as a teacher, researcher and collaborator, fostering learning through the hundred languages of children. The role focuses on enriching inquiry, strengthening pedagogical documentation, supporting educator growth and helping shape learning environments that provoke curiosity, creativity and deep thinking.

This position offers the opportunity to influence teaching and learning across the Early Learning Centre while remaining closely connected to children's everyday experiences as a practising educator. It is ideally suited to a highly collaborative professional who is committed to children's agency, educational research and innovative pedagogical practice.

Teaching and Learning at Radford College

As an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) school, Radford Junior School is committed to inquiry based learning, balanced with strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. Our approach nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, and a lifelong love of discovery, while supporting every student to flourish as a capable and confident learner.

Teaching at Radford is centred on high quality practice, informed by data, to improve student learning outcomes. Our passionate educators deliver an academic program that fosters excellence and innovation, while also focusing on the wellbeing and holistic development of each child.

With a focus on high-quality teaching to improve student learning outcomes, Radford College is committed to collaborative and reflective practices which enhance professional learning and growth. As such, we require our teachers to be able to work effectively as part of a high performing team and to be dedicated to upholding our values of truth, compassion and wisdom, which form the ethos and foundation of our College community.

To support our teachers in becoming expert teachers, able to make deliberate choices about the strategies they use in classrooms, there is a strong emphasis on professional learning and collaboration, through an on-site Teacher Mentor and ongoing coaching and mentoring.

Radford College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to comply with the College's Child Protection and Safeguarding policies, procedures and satisfy all relevant child protection screening requirements. Radford College expects all staff to actively contribute to a child-safe culture and to uphold their responsibilities in creating an environment where all children and young people are safe, respected and heard.

Why choose Radford?

• All new staff benefit from a comprehensive induction program, ongoing mentoring, and collaboration with experienced colleagues.
• In addition to supporting and empowering staff to reach their full potential, Radford College provides:
• A vibrant, rewarding, and collaborative workplace where staff feel supported and valued
• Structured professional learning opportunities to help teaching staff maintain registration requirements and continue to grow in their practice
• Professional Learning financial support for teaching and non-teaching staff
• Salary Continuance Insurance
• Discounted school fees for eligible employees
• Employee wellbeing initiatives – EAP program, access to exercise programs (boot camp and Pilates) and group fitness classes
• Generous Superannuation after qualifying period
• Salary Sacrificing
• Excellent resources and grounds
• Free onsite parking
• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

About you

The successful candidate will be an accomplished and reflective educator who is passionate about children's learning and committed to collaborative pedagogical practice. Candidates will demonstrate:

• Excellence in teaching and a strong understanding of child development, inquiry-based learning and contemporary educational practice.
• Knowledge of, or a genuine commitment to developing expertise in, the Reggio Emilia educational project and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
• The ability to observe, document and interpret children's learning in ways that inform curriculum design and pedagogical decision-making.
• Experience designing rich, engaging learning environments that promote creativity, agency and deep thinking.
• Expertise in one or more creative disciplines, materials or forms of expression, and an understanding of how the hundred languages can enrich learning across the curriculum.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work alongside children, educators and families as a trusted partner.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, questioning and active listening skills.
• The capacity to mentor, inspire and support colleagues through professional dialogue, co-planning, co-teaching and reflective practice.
• Intellectual curiosity, a commitment to educational research and a growth mindset.
• Strong organisational skills, professional judgement and personal integrity.
• A commitment to fostering a culture of inquiry, creativity, reflection and continuous improvement.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people.
• Alignment with and active support for the College values of Truth, Compassion and Wisdom.

Most importantly, you will be an educator who sees children as capable, curious and competent learners, and who is energised by working collaboratively with others to make learning visible, meaningful and transformative.

Qualifications

• Recognised teaching qualification, preferably in Early Childhood or Primary Education.
• Current ACT Teacher Quality Institute (TQI) registration, or eligibility for registration, and a current WWVP registration.
• Current First Aid Certificate.
• Demonstrated experience in inquiry-based and child-centred learning.
• Strong understanding of pedagogical documentation, learning environments and contemporary educational practice.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to develop expertise in, the Reggio Emilia educational project and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Highly desirable

• Significant knowledge of the Reggio Emilia educational project.
• Experience with pedagogical documentation and progettazione.
• Experience mentoring, coaching or facilitating professional learning for educators.
• Expertise in one or more creative disciplines or modes of expression.

Applicants will be subject to employment screening and will be required to provide a current ACT Working with Vulnerable People card prior to commencing employment.