Middle School Mandarin Teacher

Keys School, a K-8 of approximately 320 students and 45 faculty, seeks an experienced, full-time Middle School Mandarin teacher to begin August 12, 2021.  Founded more than forty years ago, Keys offers a constructivist education with concern for students’ academic, social, emotional, and physical 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. 

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, 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.

The Middle School Mandarin teacher plans and implements units through which students develop an appreciation of the Mandarin language and 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 serve as advisors, and consequently are not only mentors for students but an important resource for parents, helping them understand the school’s educational philosophy and children’s developmental needs. 

The ideal candidate will possess 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 be 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
• Serve as an advisor
• Collaborate with the Middle School Curriculum Coordinator and the Lower School Mandarin teacher to ensure development of and coordination of the K-8 Mandarin curriculum; develop interdisciplinary units with other faculty 
• Integrate social justice 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

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 reading and writing 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 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 [email protected]

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