Elementary English Teacher

Silicon Valley International School; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading school in California is seeking an Elementary English Teacher for the 2025-2026 academic year. The position emphasizes inquiry-based learning within a diverse cultural environment and requires experience in teaching elementary students. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in fostering student engagement and progress, contributing to a comprehensive curriculum, and working collaboratively with a multilingual team.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance

10 days of paid sick leave

403(b) retirement plan with employer match

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience teaching elementary school children.
• Experience with the Primary Years Program (PYP) preferred.
• Native English speaker.

Responsibilities

• Teaching all areas of the Elementary School curriculum.
• Planning lessons that cater to the whole ability range within class.
• Preparing and communicating students' progress to parents.

Skills

Inquiry-based teaching

Classroom management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education or Child Development

Job description

Silicon Valley International School seeks an Elementary English Teacher for the Upper and Lower Elementary School for the academic year 2025-2026. Elementary School (PYP) Teachers develop schemes of work and lesson plans in line with curriculum objectives. They facilitate learning by establishing a relationship with students and by organizing learning resources and the classroom learning environment. They develop and foster the appropriate skills and social abilities to enable the optimum development of children according to age, ability, and aptitude. They assess and record progress and prepare students for middle school. They link students' knowledge to earlier learning and develop ways to encourage it further. PYP Teachers challenge and inspire students to help them deepen their knowledge and understanding.

The Elementary English teacher must demonstrate commitment to INTL’s mission and the population we serve; they must also be responsible, self-motivated, friendly, willing to work with a team of colleagues, and accepting and adaptable to a working environment with different cultures.

The position involves teaching through inquiry-based learning according to the PYP framework, ensuring foundational skill acquisition, and collaborating extensively with English, French, German, and Chinese teachers. Time for collaboration with the other teachers is built into the schedule. INTL seeks teachers who know how to combine academic rigor with student engagement and have experience with inquiry-based teaching and learning.

Typical work activities include:

• Teaching all areas of the Elementary School curriculum as designated
• Following the guidelines and mission of Silicon Valley International School (INTL) and the International Baccalaureate PYP Programme
• Taking responsibility for the progress of one or two classes of Elementary School students at a grade level
• Organizing the classroom and learning resources to create a positive learning environment
• Planning, preparing, and presenting lessons that cater to the needs of the whole ability range within their class
• Motivating students with enthusiastic, imaginative presentations/engagements and respectful interactions
• Managing student behavior and maintaining discipline
• Preparing, documenting, evaluating, and communicating to facilitate positive student development
• Meeting requirements for the assessment and recording of students' development
• Providing feedback to parents on the student's progress at parents' conferences and other (often less formal) meetings and report cards
• Collaborating with others to plan and coordinate work, liaising with colleagues and working flexibly
• Staying up to date with changes and developments in the structure of the curriculum
• Taking part in school events and activities that can be run on weekends or evenings
• Planning and participating in field trips
• Monitoring recess/lunch
• Other duties as required to perform the job

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education or Child Development
• Experience teaching at the K-5 grade level, preferably in a language immersion program
• Minimum 3 years of experience teaching elementary school children
• Experience with the Primary Years Program (PYP) of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) preferred
• Native English speaker

Compensation and benefits

Our compensation is based on education and years of experience. The salary range for this full-time teaching position for the 2025-26 school year is $79,903 [ for candidates with a BA at Step 3], up to $123,672 [ for an individual holding a Ph.D. at Step 23]. We offer an excellent and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee only
• Employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, life insurance, and employee assistance program
• 10 days of paid sick leave
• 2 days of paid time off
• 7 days paid holidays during the school year
• Summer break and 5 weeks of school breaks during the school year
• Professional development tailored to teacher needs/interests and aligned with the School's mission
• 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match after 2 years of service

We’d Love to Hear From You!

If this sounds like the perfect career for you, we’d love for you to apply! Along with your resume, please include a thoughtfully written letter of interest. We will give priority to candidates who submit a cover letter. We appreciate your understanding that we prefer no phone calls, recruiting agencies, or walk-ins.

Silicon Valley International School is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and makes merit-based employment decisions. INTL prohibits discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. INTL will afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees as to all terms and conditions of employment, including, without limitation, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, transfer, discipline, and termination.