What is the hiring process at Concordia?

Concordia accepts new applications in the fall. Staffing needs for the coming year are finalized by December 1. Applications should include a completed application form, a cover letter, a resume, and letters of reference. A face-to-face interview is preferred; Skype is used as necessary for long-distance interviews. Successful applications will be notified with a contract and position details.

Can you explain the salary and benefits?

Concordia offers teachers a highly-competitive salary. You will find additional information on our pay scale and benefits for both overseas and local expatriate hires at that link.

Do you hire teachers with a non-teaching spouse?

Concordia prefers to hire teaching couples. All qualified applicants will be considered.

Does Concordia only hire Christian teachers?

Quality of teaching is always paramount in hiring. Concordia seeks to hire teachers who share in and support its mission and values. By living their faith, they model and teach values like integrity, respect, responsibility, and service. Concordia’s teachers are ever aware that parents have entrusted them with God’s most precious gift-their children.

What does it mean that Concordia teachers integrate technology into the classroom?

Technology isn’t a class at Concordia; it’s a way of learning. Concordia is committed to providing students and teachers with the latest technology tools and expertise. On Concordia’s wireless campus, students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 enjoy a 2:1 student-to-computer ratio in the classrooms. Grades 7-12 participate in a 1:1 MacBook program. Teachers use various technologies throughout the curriculum. Concordia provides additional tech support in the elementary, middle and high schools from designated educators who work as technology integrationists. Concordia teachers use several internal websites, including the unique MyConcordia, for distributing information, sharing curriculum, posting photos, etc. In addition, Concordia issues each teacher a MacBook for his/her use.

Does Concordia support professional development?

The most important professional development occurs as teachers work in teams and plan together, which is common at Concordia. Concordia also sponsors teachers to attend workshops that further the goals the school is working on at the time; outside experts come to campus, sometimes in collaboration with other international schools in the area; and each teacher has an annual fund of RMB10,000 (approximately US$1,470) to spend on professional opportunities of her/his choosing.

What is life like in Shanghai?

Shanghai is a destination of choice in Asia. Home to the 2010 World Expo, it is a cosmopolitan city with a unique blend of Western and Eastern influences. The arts, once almost hidden, now flourish in galleries; big-name concerts and sporting events grow more frequent; and cinema movies occasionally offer English subtitles. In its mission to be a world city, Shanghai has worked to assure that the city grows in a balanced way. Hundreds of acres of parks have been created in recent years to balance the growth of new industrial zones. The greater city of Shanghai and the local neighborhood offer a variety of cultural and social opportunities for both families and singles. Life for many teachers centers around the people of the Concordia community.

What is the neighborhood like where Concordia is located?

Concordia and teacher housing are conveniently located in a modern area of Pudong called Jinqiao, in which many expatriates live in single-family homes as well as low-rise and high-rise luxury apartment buildings. Several other schools are also located in the Jinqiao area. Nicknamed “Green City,” its tree-lined streets are home to a number of western restaurants, Carrefour supermarket, MegaFit gym, and more. Taxi service is not hard to find, and access to the subway system is close by. Biking is a primary mode of transportation around the area.

What is housing like? When will I know my housing assignment?

Faculty members live in family-sized apartments within a comfortable walk or bike ride from the school. The school provides basic appliances and pays the rent; the teacher furnishes the apartment and pays utilities. These apartment complexes are less than 15 years old and were built with expatriate living in mind; many Concordia families choose to live there as well. Concordia informs new hires of their housing assignment prior to their arrival in August.

When do new teachers arrive in Shanghai? What will happen at orientation?

New 2011-2012 teachers and their families will arrive by the beginning of August 2011. Concordia will later communicate specific details and arrange transportation. During the first week in Shanghai, teachers and their families will be introduced to the city, assisted in setting up their homes, and given an overview of Concordia. The following week, returning teachers will join faculty meetings and further planning and preparations will take place. The first day of school is Thursday, August 18, 2011.

How do teachers get additional information prior to moving to Shanghai?

Concordia regularly distributes information to new teachers through e-mail, a Wiki-page, and through an on-site teacher pen pal. Concordia’s website – www.concordiashanghai.org – has a wealth of information about the school and links to information and organizations around Shanghai.

Why do parents choose Concordia over other school options in Shanghai?

Since it was founded in 1998, Concordia has rapidly earned a reputation for excellent teaching and a caring community. It is something of a cliche to talk about educating the “whole child.” In our case, parents see us living out the idea.

Where is your faculty from?

The majority (69 percent) of our 132 teachers are from the United States. Other countries represented are Australia, Canada, China, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

What are medical services like in Shanghai?

Medical care options catering to expatriates have increased dramatically over the past few years. A branch of Parkway Health, Hushan Worldwide Medical Center, and the International Medical Center of Ruidong Hospital are just blocks from Concordia; the Shanghai East International Medical Center is a 25-minute drive; and Shanghai United Family Hospital and Clinics (a 45- to 60-minute drive) is becoming a popular option for families choosing to give birth in Shanghai (along with a downtown location of Parkway Health). Some seeking second opinions or planning non-emergency surgery will travel to Hong Kong, Singapore or their home countries for treatment.