Career Center

Middle School Mandarin Leave Replacement

Keys School, a K-8 of approximately 320 students and 45 faculty, seeks an experienced, full-time Middle School Mandarin Leave Replacement teacher to join the Keys community from January 8th through June 7, 2024. Founded fifty years ago, Keys offers a constructivist education with a focus on students’ academic, social, emotional, physical and identity growth. Today, Keys is known for helping students to become compassionate and empathic community members while developing the confidence to find their voice and advocate for themselves and others. 

With a cross-divisional buddy system, ice skating lessons, classes in self-science, and extensive outdoor education experiences beginning in kindergarten, the school offers an array of distinctive programs. These experiences, in concert with a strong and engaging academic approach, as well as a robust exploration and integration of belonging and identity, prepare students to matriculate to the region’s highly selective independent secondary schools and rigorous public high schools.

 The school is situated on two campuses, about a mile apart. The Lower School campus houses grades K-4, approximately 180 students and 30 faculty and staff.  The Middle School campus houses grades 5-8, approximately 140 students, and 30 faculty and staff.

Position Overview: 

The Middle School Mandarin teacher plans and implements units through which students develop an appreciation of Chinese culture while also developing fundamental language skills through an immersion-based program focused on listening, speaking, reading and writing competencies.  Middle School teachers work collaboratively to develop interdisciplinary studies and are responsible for creating an inclusive community of learners where children cultivate the skills of self-advocacy and resilience while demonstrating empathy and compassion for others.  

Classroom teachers also help parents understand the school’s educational philosophy and children’s developmental needs through regular assessments and communications.

The ideal candidate possesses a solid understanding of children’s academic, social, and emotional development; a commitment to SEL and DEIJ work; fluency in Mandarin; knowledge of total-physical-response (TPRS), and the role of story-telling, games, and songs in a second language classroom; familiarity with authentic assessment practices and current technology; and is of sufficiently nimble mind and spirit to enjoy the uniquely transformative time that is early adolescence. 

Middle School Mandarin teachers are expected to:

• Teach the equivalent of four courses, with a possibility of leading or supporting an Advisory group.
• Collaborate with the Middle School Curriculum Coordinator and Lower School Mandarin teacher to ensure development of and coordination of the Middle School Mandarin curriculum
• Develop interdisciplinary units with colleagues
• Integrate social justice, equity, and identity themes, exploration and practice into the curriculum and display the same in interactions with students, parents, and colleagues
• Create and utilize formative and summative assessments to inform instructional decisions
• Maintain accurate, current, and unique academic records that capture the process of learning
• Differentiate instruction to enrich, remediate, and accommodate learning needs
• Utilize current technology to enrich the curriculum
• Participate in the school’s outdoor education program, buddy program, and other duties as assigned
• Communicate effectively with families to foster partnerships
• Participate in other school-wide activities throughout the year, such as committees, team and staff meetings, and occasional evening or weekend school events
• Serve as an advisor, if previously experienced with this role

The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum of three years of Mandarin teaching experience preferably at the middle school level
• A graduate degree in a related field (preferred)
• Awareness of differentiated learning and teaching styles and progressive pedagogical approaches

• Commitment to creating an inclusive classroom community in which all perspectives are heard and valued

• Demonstrated ability to take initiative with regard to curriculum development, knowledge of UbD framework is helpful

• Experience with students who need extra learning supports, particularly students who face language challenges
• A proven record of collaborative teamwork together with a nuanced understanding of interpersonal relationships
• Ability to effectively communicate in English, both written and verbal, with students, prospective and current parents, and colleagues
• A healthy sense of humor

 Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, statement of philosophy, and three to five references to jobs@keysschool.org.

Salary: $85,000+ depending upon year of teaching experience

Keys School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, orientation or veteran status. For more information on the school, please visit keysschool.org

About Keys School

Keys School challenges students to develop a keen intellect and a generous spirit, to advocate for themselves and others, and to honor curiosity and reflection in an increasingly hurried world.

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