Boca Raton, Florida
Posted: 26-Feb-26
Location: Menlo Park, California
Type: Full Time
Salary: $75,000 - $85,000/ year
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Salary Details:
Required Education:
SYNAPSE SCHOOL POSITION OVERVIEW
Synapse School in Menlo Park, CA, an innovative TK-8 independent school located in the heart of Silicon Valley dedicated to rethinking and reimagining education, seeks a LOWER SCHOOL ASSOCIATE TEACHER.
Synapse educates a community of change makers by combining social-emotional learning, leading-edge academics, and the practice of innovation. We have an unwavering belief in the capacity of children, and our teachers work alongside our students to unlock their powers of curiosity, discovery, and creativity. Synapse’s program provides a deep and unique range of integrated academic, social, and creative experiences to help children use their hearts and hands to unleash their passion for learning. Synapse draws students from around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Synapse is a place for people who like being in schools — who bring energy, perspective, and a sense that what we do for our students, families and colleagues matters. Teachers who are optimistic about young people and about the world, who collaborate and communicate generously, and who approach challenges with creativity rather than cynicism, thrive at Synapse.
As a lab school, we are actively integrating AI and emerging technologies into teaching, learning, and operating. Strong candidates will be open to using AI as a tool for planning, feedback, differentiation, and innovation. Comfort with experimentation and continuous learning is essential; perfection is not.
Equally important, we’re looking for educators who model strong emotional intelligence and embody our Change Maker Outcomes: communication, perspective, risk-taking, follow through, creativity, advocacy, inquiry, feedback, and iteration. These habits of mind shape our culture and learning environment, and teachers play a central role in making them visible, practiced, and lived each day.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Synapse School seeks an aspiring education professional to join us as a Lower School Associate Teacher. Associate Teachers participate in aspects of instruction, planning, and daily school life. Associate Teachers also receive broad support for their professional growth through weekly meetings in our New Teacher Program, professional development opportunities, and immersive classroom experiences.
We are looking for aspiring lower school teachers who love lower schoolers, are highly collaborative, love innovation and design, have a growth mindset, and want to be part of an exciting team of forward-thinking educators looking to do big things. Lower School Associates work with one age group per year, and typically rotates the next year. Synapse Lower School is TK - 4th grade.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING, as directed by the Lead Teacher and Specialists:
- Assist with classroom management and help maintain a warm, inclusive learning environment
- Support social-emotional learning through modeling, coaching, and reflection with students
- Assist with curriculum planning, implementation, assessment, and documentation
- Prepare materials and set up the classroom environment for daily learning experiences
- Work with small groups of students
- Assist with or run small group explicit literacy and math instruction
- Supervise students during snack and lunch (“duties”)
- Collaborate with the Lead Teacher to prepare for conferences, progress reports, and family communication
- Contribute to documentation of student learning, classroom projects, and portfolios
- Engage actively in team reflection, feedback, and planning conversations
- Attend meetings and school events as needed or directed by Lead Teacher and/or Leadership
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should email a cover letter of interest, three names of references with contact information and a résumé with the subject line “LS Associate Opening” to the Head of Lower School, Holly Campbell, holly.campbell@synapseschool.org.
Synapse School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and familial affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
AN IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
- A strong interest in working with young children
- A commitment to social-emotional learning and whole-child development
- Intellectual curiosity, a willingness to take on new challenges, creative and flexible thinking
- Independent initiative and a solution-oriented mindset; looks for what can be done and takes ownership of outcomes
- Strong organizational skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills
- A desire for collaboration and team-oriented work and the ability to adapt to a quickly changing environment
- Teaching experience, credential and/or an advanced degree is preferred
- A bachelor’s degree is required
WORKING CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE:
- Ability to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
- Ability to stand and circulate for extended periods of time.
- Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand conversation.
- Ability to lift or carry up to 25 pounds.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
- Dexterity and physical condition to maintain a vigorous work schedule and meet standards of physical and mental health.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Individuals must maintain a professional attitude and appearance.