Upper Grades Mandarin Teacher
Upper Grades Mandarin Teacher
Job Category: Student Support and Subject Teacher
Opening Statement
The Upper Grades Mandarin Teacher brings the Mandarin language and the cultures of the Chinese-speaking world to our upper grades students. In the Waldorf approach, world language study begins orally through song, verse, story, movement, and conversation, and in the upper grades grows into reading, writing, grammar, and an increasingly confident command of the spoken language. The Mandarin teacher builds on the foundation laid in the earlier grades and meets adolescents ready for greater challenge, independence, and a broader understanding of the world.
This is an hourly, part-time position. The Mandarin teacher works as part of a collaborative faculty, partnering with the lower grades Mandarin teacher, class teachers, fellow subject teachers, and administration so that language learning is woven into the life of each class. We are looking for someone who brings joy and skill to the classroom, builds warm and trusting relationships with students and families of every background, and is committed to their own ongoing growth as an educator.
About
About Marin Waldorf School
Marin Waldorf School is the only fully accredited Waldorf school in Marin County. Our mission is to educate resilient, confident, authentic humans with deep self-knowledge and the tools to meet the future and make positive change in the world.
MWS offers a comprehensive educational journey through a vibrant parent/toddler program, two preschools, two kindergartens, and a full grades program (grades 1–8) on a 10-acre campus in Lucas Valley in the heart of Marin County.
Essential Job Duties
Key Responsibilities
Teaching and Curriculum
– Plan and teach Mandarin lessons for the assigned upper grades, developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills appropriate to each grade.
– Draw on the Waldorf world language curriculum, weaving in song, poetry, story, movement, and culture alongside structured language practice.
– Introduce students to the history, festivals, arts, and everyday life of Chinese-speaking communities, connecting language study to the broader grades curriculum where possible.
– Maintain effective, warm, and consistent classroom leadership, in line with the school’s behavior and community agreements.
Observe and assess each student’s progress, and write thoughtful mid-year and end-of-year reports.
Families and Community
– Communicate clearly with parents and guardians about the Mandarin program and their children’s progress, including participation in parent-teacher conferences as requested.
– Build trusting partnerships with families from a wide range of cultures, languages, family structures, and life experiences.
– Participate in school festivals, assemblies, and community gatherings as scheduled, including sharing the Mandarin program with the wider school community.
– Faculty Collaboration and Professional Growth
– Collaborate with class teachers on scheduling, curriculum connections, and support for individual students.
– Attend faculty meetings, in-service days, and other scheduled meetings as required for subject teachers.
– Engage in mentoring, evaluation, and ongoing professional development, including growth in equity-centered and culturally responsive teaching practice.
– Uphold school policies, including child-safety, mandated-reporter, and employee-student boundary requirements.
– Collaborate on planning our annual Lunar New Year celebration, the subject teachers meeting, faculty meetings and student supervision
– Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Qualifications
Required
– Native or near-native fluency in Mandarin Chinese, including reading and writing.
– Bachelor’s degree or higher.
– Knowledge of Waldorf teaching methodology and willingness to learn
Preferred
– Completion of Waldorf teacher training
– Previous Waldorf teaching experience, ideally with upper grades students.
– Experience teaching Mandarin or another world language to children or adolescents.
We are looking for someone who brings
– Enthusiasm and joy for language teaching, paired with effective classroom management skills.
– Confidence in, and inspiration from, the foundational and evolving Waldorf curriculum.
– The ability to work supportively and collaboratively with colleagues.
– Positive, clear, and effective communication with families and colleagues.
– Cultural competency and confidence working with families and colleagues of diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to growing professionally as our community moves in an ever more just and equitable direction.
– A commitment to ongoing professional and personal growth.
Employment Details
Our Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging
At Marin Waldorf School, we believe that every child and adult in our community should feel seen, welcomed, and valued. We are committed to broadening access to Waldorf education, and we ask every member of our faculty and staff to share actively in building a community where all children, families, and colleagues can thrive.
We warmly encourage applications from people of color, from individuals of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, and from candidates whose backgrounds and life experiences differ from those currently represented at our school. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not match every qualification, we still encourage you to apply.
Compensation
This is an hourly, part-time faculty position with a pay range of $88 per hour.
To Apply
How to Apply
Please send a resume; a cover letter highlighting your teaching experience, life experience, qualifications, and strengths; and contact information for three references to jobs@marinwaldorf.org.
In accordance with California SB 848, applicants must also provide a complete list of all previous school or educational institution employers, including city and state. Employment is contingent on a satisfactory background check, including Live Scan fingerprinting and TB clearance.
To learn more about our school, please visit www.marinwaldorf.org.
