Mandarin Chinese Teacher

Job description
35–40 hours per week | Start now or in August 2026 | $28-$36 per hour
Location: Redwood City, CA

Do you enjoy a classroom where children laugh, explore, connect, and grow while learning Mandarin and discovering the world around them? If so, we would love to hear from you.

PlayThrive School for Mandarin Whole Child Education is seeking a creative, experienced, and growth-minded teacher to help foster a joyful Mandarin-immersion environment. At PlayThrive, children learn Mandarin through hands-on exploration, thematic projects, enrichment activities, and meaningful daily routines.

Whether your background is in Early Childhood Education, Mandarin teaching, or both, we welcome educators who are passionate about building a positive learning community, guiding children through student-centered experiences, and supporting their social, emotional, and academic growth.

通过十年持续的共同努力和突破，PlayThrive 游艺中文学校越来越受学生欢迎，也深受家长信赖。随着招生持续增长，我们正在寻找更多优秀的老师加入团队。我们希望找到有创意、有经验、并愿意持续学习的教育者。您将引导孩子们通过动手学习、主题探究和丰富多元的活动学习中文；与团队一起呵护一个温暖、正向的学习社群；带领孩子们提问、思考、倾听和探索；帮助他们提升中文能力、拓展知识、培养学习技能，并促进健全的人格发展。

This position is based in Redwood City, California, and may begin immediately or in August 2026.

Position Overview

• Teach Mandarin to primary school students, from Transitional Kindergarten through 5th grade, in an after-school setting with the school day extending to 6:00 PM.
• Use hands-on projects, enrichment activities, and meaningful daily routines to make learning engaging and effective
• Design and teach Project-Based Learning (PBL) units
• Strengthen your lesson planning and instructional delivery through a collaborative, student-centered teaching environment
• Support students in progressing toward Hanban YCT language goals

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation and a supportive professional community that values creativity, collaboration, and growth.

Core Benefits

• Health insurance (PlayThrive covers at least 65%)
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays
• Paid training
• Professional development reimbursement
• Education stipend (Up to $800 per year)
• Electronics stipend
• Commute Stipend

Bonuses and Stipends

• Electronics stipend
• Summer Camp Bonus
• Enrichment Teacher Bonus
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Retention bonus opportunities may also apply
• Paid Time Off for full-time teachers who have worked at PlayThrive for 1 year or more

Professional Growth

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
• Project-Based Learning (PBL)
• Responsive Classroom approach
• Career advancement opportunities in two tracks: Curriculum Design and Administration

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of face-to-face teaching experience with children ages 3 to 12, working 20 hours per week
• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Experience teaching children in a classroom setting
• Ability to design curriculum and implement lessons using student-centered principles
• Ability to plan and facilitate hands-on, engaging lessons
• Ability to effectively manage a classroom of approximately 15 students
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
• Willingness to learn and use tools such as Google Docs and Google Sheets
• Ability to communicate in person and by email in clear, simple English
• Availability to work during spring camps and summer camps
• Legal authorization to work in the United States

Responsibilities

• Create a joyful, positive, and non-judgmental Mandarin learning community with a co-teacher
• Support children’s intellectual, physical, social, and emotional development
• Maintain indoor and outdoor learning environments that are safe, organized, functional, challenging, and developmentally appropriate
• Understand each child’s strengths and growth areas, and create plans to support their development
• Co-author and implement behavior support plans when needed
• Use PlayThrive’s existing student-centered Mandarin curriculum, often in the form of PBL units, and develop appropriate scaffolding and assessments to meet students where they are
• Maintain records of coursework, instructional improvements, student progress, and assessment data
• Proactively identify ways to improve class structure, environment, and curriculum
• Participate in professional development activities and school events
• Communicate program information and updates to parents in person and via email as needed
• Contribute to weekly newsletters
• Lead teacher training sessions on Mandarin teaching methods and help compile training materials

About PlayThrive

PlayThrive School for Mandarin Whole Child Education is located on the campus of Orion School in Redwood City, CA. Our program teaches Mandarin through cultural activities, thematic projects, and exploratory play. We believe children thrive when they can explore, have fun, connect with others, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.

We are committed to cultivating a love of learning, strong relationships, and whole-child development in every student.

PlayThrive is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and are proud to offer a supportive community that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous growth.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.00 - $36.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Redwood City, CA 94062

Salary : $800