Embedded Files
Staff Guidelines
At ISH, our educators and staff are the heart of our learning community, shaping the experiences that inspire students to become confident, caring, and globally-minded individuals. As professional educators in our diverse international school, you create the classroom environments and school culture where students from over 70 nationalities learn, grow, and thrive together.
Your expertise extends far beyond curriculum delivery—you are mentors, cultural facilitators, and champions of each student's unique potential. In our multicultural setting, you help students navigate different perspectives, celebrate diversity, and develop the skills needed for success in our interconnected world.
These guidelines are designed to support you in maintaining the high standards of professional practice that make ISH a place of educational excellence. They are rooted in our three core values—Caring, Courageous, and Growth Mindset—which guide every aspect of our professional work and interactions within our school community.
How to Use This Guide
This page is organized into two main sections:
Our Core Values in Professional Practice: Learn how ISH's three core values translate into specific expectations and behaviors for educators and staff in our learning community.
Professional Responsibilities: Understand the standards and expectations that maintain our commitment to educational excellence and support every student's success.
By embracing these guidelines, you contribute to creating the kind of learning environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Thank you for your dedication to the ISH community!
Our Core Values Guide Everything We Do
Our three core values - Caring, Courageous, and Growth Mindset - shape every aspect of our educational community. As educators and staff members, you play a crucial role in bringing these values to life in your classrooms, in your interactions with students and families, and in your collaboration with colleagues.
CARING: Treating Everyone with Respect and Fairness
At ISH, we value our caring and diverse community. Staff members are expected to approach all situations with care and sensitivity, treating every member of the community—students, parents, and colleagues—with respect and fairness. Staff embrace student voices and appreciate parent input, fostering a supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued. Treat every interaction with care, fairness, and respect, ensuring that all voices are heard.
Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment:
In our international community, caring means fostering classroom and school environments where students from all cultural backgrounds feel seen, valued, and able to succeed.
Professional practices:
Learn and use students' names correctly, including proper pronunciation
Incorporate diverse perspectives and cultural examples in your teaching
Respond to parent concerns with empathy and cultural sensitivity
Support colleagues through collaboration and shared problem-solving
Address bias or exclusion when you observe it in classroom or school settings
Building relationships:
Take time to understand each student's individual learning needs and cultural background
Communicate with families in ways that respect different cultural approaches to education
Work collaboratively with colleagues to support students who may be struggling academically or socially
Show genuine interest in students' experiences and perspectives from their home cultures
Your caring approach builds trust within our school community and creates the foundation for meaningful learning relationships.
COURAGEOUS: Advocating for Student Success
Being courageous means addressing important issues directly while maintaining professionalism and respect for our learning community. Advocate for student needs and educational excellence while maintaining professional integrity and collaboration.
Advocating for Educational Excellence:
Professional courage means speaking up for what's best for student learning and maintaining high standards while working collaboratively with colleagues.
Educational advocacy:
Address student academic or social-emotional needs with appropriate team members
Share constructive feedback about programs or practices that could improve student outcomes
Ask questions when policies or procedures need clarification
Stand up for inclusive practices and equitable learning opportunities
Communicate honestly with families about student progress and areas for growth
Address concerns respectfully while ensuring a balanced approach that considers the needs of the whole community
Professional communication:
Use specific examples and data when discussing student concerns with colleagues
Follow appropriate channels (grade level team, section leader, administration) for different types of issues
Listen to colleagues' perspectives and seek collaborative solutions
Maintain confidentiality while ensuring student needs are addressed effectively
Collaborate with relevant stakeholders when addressing behavioral issues to ensure individual rights are respected
Your professional courage ensures that student success remains our top priority and that challenges are addressed constructively.
GROWTH MINDSET: Embracing Learning and Professional Development
Modeling a growth mindset means demonstrating that learning is lifelong, feedback is valuable, and continuous improvement benefits everyone. Embrace challenges, learn from feedback, and model resilience for students while pursuing professional excellence.
Continuous Professional Learning:
Embracing a growth mindset means continuously improving your practice and modeling lifelong learning for students, believing in the potential for growth and improvement in every individual.
Professional development:
Actively seek feedback from colleagues, students, and families to enhance your teaching
Experiment with new instructional strategies and reflect on their effectiveness
Participate meaningfully in professional development opportunities and collaborative planning
Share successful practices with colleagues and learn from their expertise
Stay current with research and best practices in your subject area and grade level
Adhere to school policies while continuously seeking ways to improve educational outcomes
Modeling growth for students:
Model a growth mindset by encouraging students to face challenges and persist through setbacks
Help students recognize that effort is key to success and celebrate their progress
Share your own learning journey and challenges with students when appropriate
Demonstrate perseverance and show students how to learn from mistakes
Foster resilience and a love for learning by viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth
Your growth mindset inspires students to become resilient learners and shows them that abilities develop through effort, strategy, and persistence.
Staff Responsibilities
Professional Commitment
Attendance
Be punctual and follow absence procedures. Your presence and consistency help create a stable, reliable environment for students to learn, reinforcing their sense of security and continuity in the classroom. If you need to be absent, please inform the subs coordinator, Principal, relevant colleagues, and students in advance, and ensure that sub plans are prepared according to the approved procedures or have emergency sub plans ready.
Stay Informed and Engaged
Stay updated with all school communications, whether through meeting minutes, weekly updates, or emails. Attending professional development sessions and staff meetings ensures you’re always growing and staying aligned with the school’s practices. Being informed and engaged helps you bring the best strategies to your classroom and contribute to the overall school community.
Professionalism
Maintain professionalism in every interaction. Avoid sharing sensitive information about students or colleagues and refrain from making negative comments, particularly on social media. Your role as a professional sets an example for both students and peers. Keep communication with parents through official school channels like Toddle, Managebac, or school email and phone. By modelling professional behaviour, you foster a respectful and supportive school environment.
Creating a Positive Learning Environment
Communicate Positively
Address concerns and suggestions constructively, keeping open communication with both students and parents. Maintain accurate attendance records and keep parents informed about any attendance-related issues. Positive communication helps build trust and a stronger connection between home and school.
Foster a Safe Learning Space
Use your skills and resources to create a safe, respectful, and student-centred learning environment. Help guide students towards self-responsibility and support their academic and personal growth. When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage and succeed in their learning
Contributing to the School Community
Participate in extracurricular activities and support school events, as listed in your task portfolios. Your involvement beyond the classroom strengthens the school culture and contributes to building a sense of community for both staff and students.
Supporting Student Growth and Learning
Encouraging Lifelong Learning
Foster curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning in your students. Show them that effort and persistence are more valuable than innate ability. By encouraging a growth mindset, you help students develop lifelong skills for success.
Celebrate Progress
Recognise and celebrate student achievements, no matter how small. Show them that progress is something to be proud of and that setbacks are opportunities for growth. This creates a positive, encouraging atmosphere where students feel supported and motivated.
Model a Growth Mindset
Demonstrate a growth mindset by embracing challenges and learning from feedback. Show your students that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as they learn from them. Your actions in the classroom influence how students view their own learning journeys.
Safeguarding and Well-being
Health Guidelines
Take care of your own health and stay home if you’re feeling unwell. This not only protects others but sets a good example for students about prioritising well-being. Be sure to report illness promptly, and for longer absences (over five days in a semester), expect a meeting with your section leader. If a student becomes ill, communicate promptly with their parents. Students cannot give themselves permission to leave school and must follow campus procedures. A healthy school environment supports both learning and student well-being.
Safeguarding Children at ISH
Adhere to Danish Child Protection laws and ISH’s Safeguarding Policy. If you have any concerns about a child’s safety or well-being, report it immediately. Creating a safe, supportive environment for all students is a shared responsibility that helps them thrive both academically and personally.
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