Preschool / Early Childhood Education Teacher (San Francisco)

Location: San Francisco, California
Type: Full-time

About the role

La Scuola International seeks experienced and passionate Preschool / Early Childhood Education teachers for the upcoming school year. We are particularly interested in teachers with experience in the Reggio Emilia Approach and International Baccalaureate (IB) Early Years framework. Applicants should be collaborative, proactive, and flexible. Solutions-oriented thinkers, strong communicators, and curious learners will thrive in La Scuola’s diverse and dynamic environment. The teacher will support and implement the daily program in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the School under the supervision and direction of the Division Director and the Head of School.

Responsibilities

• Set educational and developmental goals for the children in the classroom, both as a group and individually;
• Prepare the environment (indoor and outdoor) thoughtfully every day so that it supports those objectives;
• Plan (progettazione) and carry out appropriate daily curriculum and long-term projects to further support those goals;
• Assess and document the group dynamic, as well as individual developmental progress toward group and individual goals;
• Effectively communicate with staff and parents; a weekly bulletin (Momenti) describing classroom activities is required for all classes. The weekly bulletin will also explain why the described activities are chosen and what children are learning through them.

Requirements

• Bilingual and bi-literate in Italian and English with native or near-native Italian proficiency;
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and/or Child Development Certificate, or 5+ years experience working with children;
• Completion of 4 core Early Childhood Education (ECE) classes:
  • Introduction to the Field of Child Development (3 units) CDEV 65
  • Child Growth and Development (3 units) CDEV 53
  • Child, Family and Community (3 units) CDEV 67
  • Curriculum for Young Children (3 units) CDEV 66
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience teaching in preschool, preferably in a Reggio Emilia-inspired environment. Language Immersion and International Baccalaureate (IB) experience is a plus; or 5+ years experience working with children.

Skills

• Familiarity and ability to plan curriculum within the Reggio Emilia Approach, Language Immersion models, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum framework or inquiry/project-based learning;
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that prioritizes reflection and fosters growth;
• Open-minded, creative, and curious, learning in relationship with colleagues and students alike;
• Excellent communication skills, verbal, written, and interpersonal, and ability to present in public to parents, colleagues, and other educators;
• Strong time management skills including consistent attendance, punctuality, ability to meet deadlines, and participation in school life;
• Ability to find joy in working with all children and differentiate learning across learner profiles;
• Dedication to being an active, enthusiastic member of the La Scuola community, contributing collaboratively within an internationally diverse team;
• Ability to work well within a team and in a collegial, collaborative environment;
• Passion for the school’s mission and values in addition to the curricular focus;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our community.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental coverage;
• Employer-Matched Retirement Account (up to 5%);
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA);
• Health Savings Account (HSA);
• Commuter Benefits;
• Group Life Insurance;
• Long-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• World Travel Assistance;
• Benefits may be available for employees who work between 20-29 hours per week (employees responsible for 50% of the monthly premiums);
• Personal Time Off;
• Paid Federal Holidays and School Closures;
• Daily warm lunch while on site;
• Employee Referral Bonuses;
• Outstanding Professional Development and Mentorship throughout the year;
• Free Employee Childcare for students enrolled at La Scuola during Professional Development Days.

Pay

$70,000 - $80,000 annually

Additional Information

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Prior to beginning work, all employees must provide documentation to prove eligibility to work in the United States. Final candidates will need to pass both Criminal Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance, a physical exam, and provide a recent copy of a negative TB test and other immunizations.

About La Scuola International School

La Scuola International School is the only Reggio Emilia-inspired, International Baccalaureate (Early, Primary, and Middle Years), and Italian Language Immersion school in the world. Teachers are researchers and are supported with robust Professional Development opportunities throughout the year. Learning is a part of everything we do, not just what happens in the classroom. While our school experience is rooted in highly regarded curricula, the magic of La Scuola is more than what we teach—it is how we teach and learn, which is truly a way of living, thinking, and interacting with the world.

Founded in 2002, La Scuola serves 465 students across locations in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and Milano, Italy. The school is an independent non-profit accredited by NAIS, CAIS, WASC, and CIS, and is one of two Italian schools recognized by the Italian government in the United States.