Innovative History and Government & Politics Educator

Role Summary

LEAF Academy is entering its second decade. Our Central European History and Comparative Government & Politics program is built on a simple conviction: that understanding the past is inseparable from making sense of the present.

We are looking for someone who:

• knows European and world history well, and brings special curiosity to Central Europe — its layered past and its place in today's world,

• designs learning that builds genuine analytical skills across both historical and political contexts, and

• moves comfortably between the revolutions of 1848 and the fragility of democratic institutions in the present.

Your mission is to help students develop the historical knowledge, analytical habits, and political literacy to make sense of a complex world — and to bring genuine intellectual curiosity to that work yourself.

Core responsibilities

• Teaching: Teach Central European History (Years 1–2) and prepare students for AP European History and AP Comparative Government & Politics, designing and delivering learning rooted in primary sources, analytical writing, and critical inquiry.

  • Coach and mentor students individually and in small groups, supporting both academic progress and intellectual confidence.

  • Connect learning to Central Europe and the present day, drawing on the region's rich and complex history to make politics and the past tangible and relevant.

  • Use visible thinking techniques and competency-based approaches to build analytical habits and foster genuine intellectual curiosity.

• Community Contribution: Contribute to the broader academic programme, including curriculum development, cross-disciplinary collaboration, school-wide programs, and LEAF Academy's ongoing accreditation and improvement processes.

• Advisory: Advise a small group of students through regular meetings and personalised academic and personal support.

• Residential duties: (upon agreement): regular weekday duties in the dormitory.

• Other: Co-curriculars, sports, or a committee member (expected): offer a club, supervise a sports activity, or be an active member of one of the LEAF Academy committees.

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be evaluated on the following:

• Subject Expertise: Strong academic background in History, Political Science, or a related discipline. Familiarity with the Central European region — its culture, history, and politics — is a significant advantage.

• AP Curriculum: Experience teaching or a demonstrated ability to prepare students for AP European History and/or AP Comparative Government and Politics (look at the Collegeboard website for course and AP exam details)

• Analytical & Visible Thinking: Ability to teach beyond memorisation — designing learning that develops students' capacity to question, reason, and argue from evidence.

• Student Rapport: A track record or strong probability of building trust-based relationships with young people that result in better engagement and growth.

• Advanced English Proficiency: A high level of written and spoken English — enough to teach, write, and collaborate with confidence in a fully English-language environment.

Why LEAF Academy?

The Academy is right for you if you want to contribute to a brighter future for Slovakia and Central Europe by transforming our education. At LEAF Academy, work is more than a job: it’s a calling to help young people understand and develop Character, Excellence, Entrepreneurial Leadership, and Civic Engagement.

What we offer:

• A Learning Community: As an NEASC-accredited institution, we uphold the highest global standards of educational excellence while fostering a sense of local belonging.

• Deeply Purposeful Work: You’ll mentor and inspire young minds, helping students turn their ideas into real-world projects that improve their communities.

• Your Own Growth Engine: We believe in our staff as much as our students. You’ll enjoy a supportive environment that encourages you to innovate, take risks, and develop yourself and others.

• Innovation in the Heart of Bratislava: Join us in our modern building where tradition meets future-oriented pedagogy. You will have the scope to build and improve systems that affect every person in the school — staffulty, students, and families. It is operational work with genuine institutional impact.