Posted: 27-May-26
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Salary Details:
Westside School is seeking a dynamic teacher to join our community school as a Middle School Mandarin Teacher. The Mandarin teacher for Middle School joins a four-person World Language team (Middle School and Lower School Spanish and Mandarin). This role is responsible for delivering and maintaining a curriculum for the 5th-8th grades. The Mandarin teacher works collaboratively with other classroom teachers and participates fully in the life of the school, serving as an advisor, attending meetings, curriculum nights, school celebrations, and upholds the mission, vision, and values of Westside School.
Having a solid understanding of best practices in world language instruction is essential, as is the capacity for teaching in a standards-based environment. We are looking for a teacher who is committed to collaboration, interdisciplinary approaches and using technology seamlessly to enhance learning. The person we seek will personalize the experiences for their students and foster a sense of agency for the learners in their care. The learning environment will be co-constructed with their students and be a place where inquiry, success, resilience and agency are nurtured and celebrated.
Reports to: Middle School Head
Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time position. The annual salary range is $63,219 - $93,586 based on experience and education. Westside School offers a generous benefits package to full-time employees.
Start Date: August 17, 2026
About Westside School
Mission: Westside students learn to think critically and act with compassion in a joyful, supportive community.
Vision: Westside is committed to being a collaborative, inclusive school where learners discover their unique strengths, embrace challenges, and develop a passion for learning, in order to contribute positively to their world.
We are seeking Teachers who are driven by:
- A strong belief in Westside’s mission, vision and values
- Student-centered pedagogies
- A love of middle school learners
- A focus on trust, relationships, and community
Our learning environment is characterized as:
- Inquiry-based learning
- Fostering agency in our learners
- Service-oriented
- Personalized
- Joyful, nurturing and challenging
- Diverse, safe and inclusive
Professional Skills/Qualities:
- Must possess Mandarin proficiency level of Advanced-Low, though Advanced-Mid or Superior is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to maintain the target language consistently while effectively managing the classroom and explaining complex concepts.
- Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to and experience with Comprehensible Input (CI) and Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) methodologies. Knowledge of ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines is required to inform instruction and assessment.
- Demonstrated commitment to participate in and establish collaborative structures
- Ability to provide differentiated instruction for students with varying levels of ability
- Committed to utilizing data to make informed instructional decisions
- Experience utilizing technology tools to enhance student learning
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a diverse and inclusive environment
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, teachers and others
Teaching and Learning Responsibilities
Instruction:
- Facilitates the instruction of middle school Mandarin classes in grade (5-8) in a block schedule with 75 minute periods
- Establishes a well-managed learning environment where active, individual learning and progress for all students is the norm
- Collaboratively develop unit plans by employing a backwards planning model that utilizes the identified scope and sequence and content standards
- Utilizes data from varied sources (diagnostic, formative, summative, standardized, etc) to inform instruction and develop differentiated learning opportunities for students
- Provides timely feedback to students that is actionable and relevant to their learning
- Monitors, advises, and assists in the care of students utilizing our Advisory program resources
- Effectively embeds intentional learning experiences focused on developing a child’s approach to their learning and offers ongoing reflective opportunities for our students
School Community:
- Supports experiential education programming by chaperoning overnight middle school trips and 8th grade international trips
- Understands and supports the diversity of the school community and students’ family backgrounds
- Works in a positive, cooperative and supportive way with students, parents, co-workers and other stakeholders
- Communicates regularly with parents on matters of school business
- Engages in and supports activities that help promote school spirit and sense of community
- Promotes opportunities for developing community involvement throughout the wider community
- Recognizes the importance of service learning to our community and promotes this with students and the wider community
School Organization:
- Actively participates in meetings they are invited to attend
- Participates in professional development opportunities
- Sets and engages in professional goal setting that is aligned to mission and vision of the school; engages thoughtfully in the evaluation process
- Reads all staff bulletins for the whole school and their own division; checks and responds to emails within 24 hours
- Conducts school business at all times in a professional and ethical manner
- Safeguards the loss/damage of the school equipment and materials
- Assists the administration and subject colleagues in covering classes and duties - 5 per school year
Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Qualifications:
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.
- Minimum two (2) years of full-time classroom experience teaching Mandarin in an accredited school
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in educational settings.
- Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to work collaboratively while maintaining a positive and professional environment.
- Effective organization, conflict management, and time management skills.
- Maintain confidentiality of student records.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A Secondary license or certification for teaching
- An advanced degree in education
- Recent and relevant professional development in teaching and learning
Diversity Statement
Westside School is committed to promoting inclusiveness, diversity, and cultural competence in its education, employment practices, school community, and governance. It views inclusiveness as a fundamental value, diversity as a key element, and cultural competence as a vital skill necessary to prepare students to participate in and contribute to a global society. Westside uses the term diversity broadly to encompass differences in the attributes of individuals, families, and communities.
Individuals from all cultures and communities are encouraged to apply.
Westside School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Application Process
Candidates wishing to learn more about Westside School should visit the school website: LINK.
Interested candidates should send an application to: employment@westsideschool.org. The review of files will begin immediately upon receipt.
The application should include:
- Cover letter of application.
- Resume
- Educational philosophy
- A list of references (at least 3), including names, positions, current employment and contact email addresses. One of those should be the current supervisor.
