Log In
Sign Up
About Our School Launched in 2022, the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST) is a not-for-profit independent school and Vancouver’s first dedicated STEM high school. Students at VISST experience an accelerated and enriched STEM curriculum, real-world applications, project-based learning, and the opportunity to participate in governance of the school. Our school hours are 10am-4pm Monday-Friday. The best way to learn more about VISST is by visiting our website at visst.ca.
Teaching Areas
We are open to teachers in all areas. Specialization in Social Studies, Chemistry, or French is a plus. The ability to teach in multiple areas is a plus.
Expected Qualifications
We will evaluate teacher candidates in the following four areas:
Pedagogical mastery. As described in our blog post On the difficulties of teaching, teaching is a craft that brings together a wide range of skills including communication, organization, charisma, and the ability to see new perspectives. In addition to these skills we seek teachers who are continuously reflecting on and improving their teaching.
Subject matter knowledge. We expect teachers to possess deep knowledge in their area of specialization. Possessing an advanced degree in this area is a plus, but is not expected. Our ideal teacher is intellectually curious and models this curiosity for our students.
Ability to connect with students. An ideal teacher forms connections with students, is curious about students, can be vulnerable with students, earns the respect of students, and serves as a positive role model in students’ lives. We seek teachers who are not just interested in their subjects and in teaching, but also in students and their success.
Ability to work with others. We are not just a collection of individual teachers but a teaching team. It is critical that all our teachers contribute positively to our work environment. We seek teachers who possess warmth, generosity, humility and openness to feedback.
Beyond the above, we also love working with teachers who possess a bit of a rebellious spirit and perhaps some dissatisfaction with the status quo in education. VISST is a chance to do something different, and we hope that you are likewise excited about making the most of the freedom and opportunity this exciting situation provides.
Teachers at VISST must be certified prior to teaching at VISST. If you are not already a certified teacher but possess an undergraduate degree in your subject area, you can apply online for a Subject Restricted Certificate that would qualify you to teach at VISST. Please see here or contact us for more information.
Salary Range
Our teacher salaries are roughly in line with the Vancouver School Board. Depending on a teacher’s experience level and academic qualifications, the annual salary ranges from $60,000 to $110,000.
Time Commitment
We are primarily seeking full-time teachers, but will also consider part-time applicants in areas of specific need.
Why VISST?
At the top of the VISST website you will find our commitment statement to teachers:
To support you in doing work you are proud of, understanding that this will sometimes be with support and resources, and at other times with trust and autonomy.
At VISST, we recognize that teachers are a critically important stakeholder group. VISST was not founded only to be a great place for students, but also to be a great place for teachers. This mission is manifested in a variety of ways, perhaps most notably in the significant increase in prep time at VISST compared to other schools. Working at VISST also provides teachers with the freedom to shape the curriculum and culture of a new school. For more detail on how we strive to make VISST the ideal workplace for educators, and specifically the prep time allotment, see our blog post On finding great teachers.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Applications submitted by Jan 31, 2024 will receive priority.
