Early Years Program Teacher (Mandarin-speaking)

About the role

Silicon Valley International School (INTL) seeks a qualified, Mandarin Chinese-speaking Early Years Program Teacher to join our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Program for the 2026–2027 academic year.

INTL is an independent Preschool through Grade 12 International Baccalaureate (IB) World School committed to developing globally minded, multilingual learners. Through our bilingual immersion programs in Chinese, French, and German, students gain the academic foundation, intercultural understanding, and critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Our mission is to empower young minds through inquiry and bilingualism, enabling students to embrace complexity, think critically from multiple perspectives, and demonstrate integrity and sensitivity across cultures.

Guiding principles

• Foster a safe, inclusive, and stimulating learning environment where students are encouraged to develop curiosity, confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
• Celebrate diversity through our multilingual community while encouraging honesty, respect, inclusion, personal responsibility, and meaningful service to others.
• Embrace challenges, persevere through obstacles, and learn from our experiences.
• Seek to understand one another and treat every member of our community with kindness, compassion, and respect.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and deliver engaging, inquiry-based instruction aligned with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and the School's bilingual curriculum.
• Foster a safe, nurturing, and inclusive classroom environment that supports the academic, social-emotional, physical, and language development of young children.
• Deliver instruction in Mandarin Chinese while promoting language acquisition, cultural understanding, and a lifelong love of learning.
• Assess, monitor, document, and communicate student progress using developmentally appropriate assessment practices.
• Build strong partnerships with families through regular communication, parent conferences, and timely progress reporting.
• Collaborate with colleagues, specialists, and administrators to support student learning, curriculum development, and the continuous improvement of instructional practices.
• Create and maintain an engaging classroom environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, independence, and positive student behavior.
• Supervise students throughout the school day, including during recess, lunch, field trips, and other school activities, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Participate actively in faculty meetings, professional development, school events, and other activities that support the School's mission and community.
• Maintain current knowledge of best practices in early childhood education, bilingual immersion, and the International Baccalaureate framework.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Native or near-native fluency in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese.
• Minimum of two (2) years of teaching experience in an early childhood or elementary educational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Preferred qualifications:
• California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or Early Childhood Education credential.
• Experience teaching within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP).
• Experience working in a bilingual, multilingual, or international school environment.
• Conversational proficiency in English.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
• Commitment to inquiry-based learning, bilingual education, and intercultural understanding.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
• Strong classroom management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a multicultural educational environment.
• Proficiency with educational technology and classroom management systems.
• Demonstrated professionalism, flexibility, initiative, and sound judgment.
• Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the school community.

Physical requirements

• Move throughout classrooms, playgrounds, and campus facilities.
• Bend, kneel, crouch, sit on the floor, and transition between seated and standing positions while working with young children.
• Lift, carry, or assist children and classroom materials weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Supervise students indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Respond quickly and appropriately to situations affecting student health and safety.
• Communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by telephone with students, families, and colleagues.
• Maintain the physical stamina and emotional resilience necessary to support young learners throughout the school day.

Compensation and benefits

• Compensation:
• Competitive compensation based on education and years of relevant teaching experience.
• The salary range for this full-time teaching position for the 2026–2027 academic year is $83,403 (BA Step 3) to $130,218 (PhD Step 24).
• Placement on the salary schedule is based on verified education and applicable teaching experience.
• Benefits:
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee.
• Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, life insurance, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Ten (10) paid sick days annually.
• Two (2) paid personal days annually.
• Seven (7) paid holidays during the academic year.
• Summer break and approximately five weeks of scheduled school breaks.
• Professional development opportunities tailored to teachers' interests and aligned with the School's mission.
• A 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer matching contribution after two years of eligible service.