Job Description

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Full-time, exempt position. Native-level Mandarin proficiency  required 

ABOUT CAIS 

As the nation’s first Mandarin immersion Preschool through 8th grade school, CAIS embodies our  mission by working continuously to maintain our role as a leader in immersion education, whether through our signature  Global Programs for 5th, 7th, and 8th graders, our creation of the annual  Early Childhood Chinese Immersion Forum , or our long-standing history of presentations and panel participation at the  National Chinese Language Conference . In addition to our full time, dedicated Chinese Program Director, our faculty includes educators who have pioneered the field of Chinese language support and an impressive cadre of OPI and WPT assessors.  We are known as an ambitious school, and are implementing our multi-year vision to reimagine immersion, reimagine our culture of learning, reimagine our community connectedness, and reimagine our learning spaces. 

WELCOME 

Join the vibrant community at the Chinese American International School’s new Forever Home campus on 19th Avenue as a lead Chinese Teacher for the academic year of 2025-2026. Become part of a team striving to be the world’s most innovative, inspiring, and influential Chinese English dual-language immersion school! 

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE 

The ideal candidate finds resonance with CAIS’s  mission to  Embrace Chinese, Become Our Best Selves, and Contribute to a Better World ; our  Core Values of  Courage, Curiosity, Inclusion, Kindness, and Perseverance ; and our  Strategic Vision 2020-2025to  Reimagine CAIS, Reimagine Success . As CAIS aims to empower independent, effective, and inspired learners, we look for a candidate adept at student-centered pedagogy such as differentiation, inquiry-driven learning, use of assessment to inform teaching, and a dynamic application of best practices in Chinese language and literacy instruction. This candidate can foster a joyful learning community that strikes a developmentally appropriate balance between deepening students’ academic skills and nurturing the curiosity and creativity of our learners. Our new team member will collaborate with cross grade level Chinese/grade level Chinese and English partner teachers and enjoy a wealth of professional development opportunities. Within the framework of a strong curricular vision supported by Chinese and English program directors, the candidate will enjoy considerable autonomy in developing the classroom curriculum. 

CAIS offers a dynamic dual culture setting in which faculty are immersed in a culture of language learners. We look for a candidate who will embrace CAIS’s work to create an equitable, inclusive environment where all faculty, students, and families are supported in their individual identities. We welcome all applicants who aim to actively support and participate in our diverse and inclusive community. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

• Position responsibilities include ( but are not limited to) : 
• Develop a positive intellectual, emotional, and social environment within the classroom and a class community in which all children feel valued and a sense of belonging. 
• Demonstrate teaching excellence, a growth mindset, professionalism, and integrity. 
• Support the educational program by challenging, supporting, and engaging students. 
• Encompass a positive discipline approach in guiding student behavior. 
• Developing engaging instructional strategies that are employed in the target language for each student 
• Actively support and collaborate on school initiatives, such as events and committee work. 
• Work with English partner teacher to develop and deliver integrated Social Studies and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion units. 
• Work collaboratively and maintain standards of respect, courtesy, and mutual consideration with the school community, including students, staff, and parents. 
• Communicate effectively, promptly, and proactively with families. 
• Prepare assessments, grades, and progress reports according to school procedures. 
• Attending Teacher Collaboration Time (TCT) meetings to plan and discuss pedagogies in all aspects with the Chinese Program Director and division meetings during the term of employment. 
• Engage in school-wide cultural events and collaborate with cross division grade level teams 
• Progress toward and eventual certification to administer and rate the ACTFL OPI and WPT assessment 
• Working collaboratively with Chinese Language Support (CLS) teachers to monitor how students progress in Chinese and set individual academic goals 
• Supervision on student field trips and occasionally chaperoning global programs to either China or Taiwan 
• Other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Head of Lower School and the Chinese Program Director

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Native or near native proficiency in Mandarin 
• Has at least three years of classroom experience 
• Experience teaching upper elementary Mandarin in an immersion program 
• Minimum of bachelor's degree 
• Ability to work with colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures 
• Strong communications skills in English and Mandarin 
• Desire to ability to work collaboratively 
• Motivation to seek and implement innovative teaching practices 
• Commitment to the school’s mission, core values, vision, and annual strategic objectives 
• Commitment to the school’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 
• Excellent work ethic 
• Flexibility, patience, resilience, and good humor 
• Technical/Computer skills as required for job performance 

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION 

The CAIS Board of Trustees and administration are expressly dedicated to ensuring that CAIS is a great place to work. The school is committed to attracting, developing, retaining, and rewarding top-tier employees with a strong benefits package. The salary range for this position is: $85,900-$115,900 , based on experience. Please see the final page for a description of benefits. 

TO APPLY 

CAIS’s commitment to  diversity, equity and inclusion is central to our mission. People of color and LGBTQIA candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Email cover letter, resume, and list of references  to lower_school_jobs@cais.org . In the subject line please indicate “ Upper Elementary Chinese Homeroom Teacher .” In your cover letter, please reference how you learned of this opening. Please no calls. 

About Chinese American International School

ABOUT CAIS As the nation’s first Mandarin Immersion Preschool through 8th grade school, CAIS embodies our mission by working continuously to maintain our role as a leader in immersion education. We value honest self-assessment, thoughtful self-reflection, intentional planning, and focused implementation. We are known as an ambitious school, and we are making substantial progress on our multi-year vision to reimagine immersion, reimagine our culture of learning, reimagine character and community, and reimagine our learning spaces. Since 2021, we have been using our new campus on 19th Avenue in San Francisco for athletics, arts, and community events. In September 2024, our entire community began the school year at our newly renovated Forever Home, which more than doubles the program space from our former Hayes Valley locations and allows all divisions to be together on one spectacular campus.

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