Ready to Shape the Future Together?

At Academia Cotopaxi (AC), we prioritize people. They breathe life and purpose into our organization: teaching, interacting, leading projects, developing, learning, growing, and supporting every facet of our community.

Live in Ecuador

Discover a vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and a welcoming community. Academia Cotopaxi in Quito offers a supportive environment for passionate educators looking to make an impact.

Work with us and experience the best of Ecuador!

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Academia Cotopaxi is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age or national origin in relation to hiring, salary, benefits, retention or promotion at the school.

The school will hire only the best, most highly qualified and experienced professional staff available. Preference is given to candidates with overseas experience, specific experience with the International Baccalaureate programs, and/or ability to coach or supervise other extra-curricular activities that are part of the school program. Other qualifications are based on research into effective teaching and assessment, collaborative skills, and other characteristics indicating a history of effective work with young people similar to those we serve.

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Academic

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Administrative

 

Elementary School Principal

Start Date: August 1st, 2025
Location: Academia Cotopaxi, Quito, Ecuador
Division: Early Years (from 12 months) through Grade 5
Reports to: School Director

Academia Cotopaxi is seeking a visionary and compassionate leader to serve as our next Elementary School Principal. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic team of educators in a diverse, inquiry-driven international learning environment. The division includes early childhood education (IMAGINE) through Grade 5 and implements the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

The successful candidate will be a collaborative instructional leader who is committed to excellence in teaching and learning, student well-being, culturally responsive practices, and meaningful family engagement. You will work closely with faculty, students, and families to nurture a culture of belonging, curiosity, innovation, and international mindedness.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide strategic and instructional leadership aligned with the IB PYP framework.

  • Oversee and support teaching and learning from early childhood (12 months) through Grade 5.

  • Foster a professional learning community that supports continuous teacher development.

  • Promote individualized responsive practices, social-emotional learning, and student agency.

  • Collaborate closely with the senior leadership team to drive innovation and academic excellence.

  • Ensure smooth operations, safety, and wellbeing across the division.

  • Build strong partnerships with families and maintain open, effective communication.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

  • Advanced degree in education or educational leadership.

  • Successful experience as a school leader in a PYP setting.

  • Deep understanding of child development and curriculum for ages 1 to 11.

  • Demonstrated experience supporting diverse learners, including multilingual and neurodiverse students.

  • Skilled at fostering faculty growth and building collaborative teams.

  • Fluent English required; Spanish proficiency or willingness to learn is highly valued.

  • Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.

  • Alignment with the values of international education, innovation, and community.

Why Join Academia Cotopaxi?

Located in the heart of the Andes in Quito, Ecuador, Academia Cotopaxi is an established IB World School with a long-standing reputation for excellence, diversity, and forward-thinking education. Our school is known for its warm, engaged community and its commitment to developing responsible, compassionate global citizens.

We offer a competitive international salary, a supportive professional environment, and a lifestyle opportunity in one of South America’s most vibrant cities.

Apply Today
To express interest or apply, please submit your application here Application Academia Cotopaxi – Academia Cotopaxi until May 16th, 2025

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Internships

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Why Choose Academia Cotopaxi?

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We Know Who We Are

We have a history of success, guided by our school mission and core values. We embrace change as a key feature of life. We know what we value and believe in, and we know where we want to go in the future as we evolve to meet the demands of a fast-paced, ever-changing world. We are a school in motion, continually evolving and improving to ensure that we provide the best for our community.

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Standards Assure Quality
We are led by a Board of Trustees who love the school and believe in our future. Our Board of Trustees oversee the fiduciary, strategic and generative elements of our school’s future. Three external accreditation organizations assure excellence in learning– the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the International Baccalaureate (IB) as well as the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education. We are officially sponsored by the US State Department of Education and deliver a US High School Diploma, the IB Diploma, as well as the Ecuadorian diploma.
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Three Divisions, Two programs, One School
Three-Two-One – This is our community. Our Elementary School includes both our IMAGINE bilingual preschool program, and our full English-language immersion program from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Five. Full English immersion continued in Middle School from Grades Six through Grade Eight and High School from Grade Nine through Twelve. These smaller learning communities, within the broader school setting, provide the perfect size for developmentally appropriate learning for our different age groups. Every student feels that this is their school and that there are adults here who know them and who care about their well-being.
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Learn In Community
We promote learning for all members of our community – students, parents, faculty and staff alike. We are proud of being learners, and we enjoy collaborating with one another to refine good ideas and make them better together. Our Principals are instructional leaders who promote reflection for the improvement of teaching and learning. At our school, there is always something new going on and we never stop learning! We like it that way!
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English is Important
English is the medium of instruction at Academia Cotopaxi. Learning to speak, listen, read and write well in English is of highest priority for us. We are proud of our many bilingual/multilingual students and we want to ensure that they communicate confidently in English while celebrating and honoring their linguistic heritage.
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Diversity Makes Us Strong
We welcome students from diverse cultural, ethnic and language backgrounds and accept students from across the spectrum of learning differences. We believe that all people have intrinsic value and we promote awareness, understanding and respect for diversity. We are also an international community, with 35 nationalities from around the world. Being globally-minded is a quality we cultivate throughout our school.
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Technology is a Tool
We are wireless and connected. Using up to date digital tools and social media platforms enhances learning for everyone. Technology is part of our daily lives and helps us to master new skills such as creativity, innovation, media literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability.
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Our Faculty is Caring and Skillful
More than 80% of our teachers have Master's Degree and more than 60% have graduated from an English Language University outside of Ecuador. We have a balance of both local and international teachers and low teacher-student ratios to support personalization.
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Parents Are Our Partners
Parents are the most important people in a child’s life, their first teachers. Partnership with parents is crucial for a child’s future success. At our school, parents can expect to be included, welcomed are vital to our school’s and their children’s accomplishments
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Your Voice Matters!
We believe that schools become stronger and more resilient when everyone has a voice and is valued. We seek and welcome feedback at all levels as part of our campaign for continuous pursuit of excellence.