Posted: 06-Mar-26
Location: San Francisco, California
Type: Full Time
Categories:
Middle School Humanities Educator Position
About Nomad
Nomad is a progressive inquiry- and project-based middle school for adventure seekers, dreamers, and doers. Small classes capped at 12 students explore academic content through thematic educational "journeys" leading to a deep exploration of big ideas. Through meaningful experiences, students practice the process of learning and then apply their new-found knowledge through large-scale self-driven projects.
Students learn by engaging with the world around them by taking weekly excursions around the Bay Area, working with local experts, and understanding that they are meaningful members of their community. In today's world, successful humans seek out problems and develop working solutions; our curriculum is focused around this idea. We are fiercely committed to racial, social and environmental justice. Our skilled and passionate educators prioritize utilizing the natural world and larger community as fundamental resources to learning.
Want to help students build a wind turbine? Calculate trash on California beaches? Write and publish a novel? At Nomad, these aren't hypotheticals—they're the kinds of student-driven projects that happen here.
We believe the world is our classroom. We say "yes!" Yes to wild ideas, yes to play, yes to trying, yes to the unknown—YES. We're seeking an experienced middle school educator ready to join our team of adventurous, student-centered teachers.
About the Role
You'll work with a cohort of up to twelve students, allowing you to know each child deeply and build intentional community between students, parents, and educators.
Your role will include:
- Teaching interdisciplinary content for English Language Arts and Social Studies through Nomad’s “Journeys”
- Teaching core academic skills in literacy
- Leading excursions and coordinating field experiences across the Bay Area
- Supporting student-driven projects and longer-form writing projects from conception through completion
- Teaching or co-teaching interdisciplinary units with other educators
- Managing student cohorts and middle school dynamics
Your role might include:
- Administrative tasks, special projects, or program management
- Teaching electives or coordinating electives run by experts or external workshop teachers
- Camping/overnight trip planning, facilitating, and participation
The exact balance of these responsibilities may evolve as we learn about your background and as the needs of our students or our organization develops over time. We're looking for someone who is comfortable with this fluidity and excited to co-create their role in a small school setting with a tight-knit and highly collaborative staff team.
What We're Looking For
Experience with Middle School Students: You have worked successfully with students ages 10-14 and understand the unique developmental landscape of early adolescence. You're energized by their curiosity, their big questions, and their capacity for meaningful work. You recognize that at this age, students crave both independence and connection, and you know how to hold space for both.
Passion for Experiential Learning: You're excited about learning that happens beyond four walls. You're comfortable navigating the city, managing logistics of frequent excursions, and finding learning opportunities in unexpected places. You see every neighborhood, organization, and expert as a potential learning partner. You prioritize utilizing the natural world and larger community as fundamental resources to learning.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum Design: You can design interdisciplinary thematic units that weave together multiple subject areas around big ideas. You know how to guide deep inquiry into a topic through diverse learning experiences—primary sources, literature, problem-solving, discussion, gameplay, and hands-on exploration. You're skilled at helping students make connections across disciplines and see learning as interconnected rather than siloed.
Supporting Diverse Learners: You recognize that every student has unique strengths, challenges, and ways of engaging with the world. You're skilled at differentiating instruction to meet varied learning needs and styles. You understand and appreciate neurodiversity, and you're committed to creating an inclusive environment where students with different neurotypes can thrive. You're comfortable adapting your teaching approaches, providing multiple entry points to content, and supporting the well-being of every child. You see each student's unique profile as an asset to the learning community.
Commitment to Social Justice and Real-World Impact: You believe students have the power to enact real change in their communities. You design curriculum and projects that educate and empower students to create meaningful impact. You're excited to help students design solutions for local issues, collaborate with community organizations, and contribute authentically to civic life.
Building Deep Community: You value knowing every student and being known by them. You work closely with each child, set goals collaboratively, and have transparent conversations about building and sustaining relationships. You appreciate working within a small school structure where every human is seen and valued. You understand that building intentional community with students, families, and colleagues is essential to creating a space where students can practice the interpersonal skills they need in today’s world.
Documentation and Assessment: You're skilled at curating documentation that tells the story of each child's learning journey. You can assess learning in non-traditional ways, recognizing that core skills are essential tools for creating projects and exploring the world deeply rather than end goals in themselves. You communicate clearly with families about student growth and progress, with a bias towards strength and a deep commitment to differentiation.
Administrative Abilities: You’re open to wearing many hats and contributing to the overall success of the school, its programs, its vision, and its day-to-day operations. You’re a team player who is willing to take on additional responsibilities or administrative tasks, especially those suited to your strengths.
Strong Communication Skills: You engage effectively with students, families, colleagues, and community partners. You listen actively, ask thoughtful questions, and communicate with both candor and kindness. You can hold students accountable while being deeply supportive. You bring a warm, approachable presence to your interactions.
Adaptability and Resourcefulness: You're comfortable with ambiguity, spontaneity, and the unexpected. You can think on your feet when plans change, obstacles arise, or opportunities present themselves. You're intellectually curious and brave even when you don't have all the answers. You see challenges as opportunities for creative problem-solving.
Collaborative Spirit: You work well with both students and adult colleagues in our small, tight-knit team. You bring emotional intelligence, creative problem-solving, and a collaborative approach to your work. You value divergent perspectives and use them to strengthen collective practice. You offer feedback generously and receive it gracefully.
Commitment to Continuous Growth You approach teaching as a craft that evolves through reflection and experimentation. You're curious about learning itself and committed to growing your practice. You embrace a growth mindset for yourself and model this for students.
Compensation
Salaries are one component of a compensation package that includes health/dental/vision insurance, various stipends, and 401k. Our full-time salary range for 2026-2027 is $75,000-$110,000. Employees typically work beginning mid-August through the end of the first week of June. The salary range for this position part-time is pro-rated. Placement within the range is based on years of relevant teaching experience, credentials, and years in the field.
How to Apply
We are currently reviewing applications on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit the following materials as PDF documents to hiring@sf-nomad.com:
Cover Letter: Tell us your story. How did you learn about this position? What's your journey as an educator? Why does Nomad's model excite you? What's a recent project or learning experience that energized you? What are your beliefs and guiding principles as an educator? How do you envision contributing to our organization?
Resume/C.V.: Highlight relevant teaching experience and educational background.
References: Minimum of 3 including at least one supervisor, one colleague.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Nomad is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.