Lower School - Associate Teacher

The Nueva School seeks Lower School Associate Teachers to work in kindergarten, first, second, third, or fourth grade classrooms. The ideal candidate will have some experience with and knowledge of the developmental stages of young children and an interest in childhood education. Experience working with young students is preferred. Position begins mid-August 2026 and runs through the 2026-2027 school year. This is a full-time position with competitive salary and full benefits.

Associate Teachers work closely with Mentor Teachers through an apprenticeship model. They spend each day in the classroom, working with students, collaborating with teachers, building curriculum, teaching lessons, and reflecting upon their practice. In addition, Associate Teachers participate in the Innovative Teacher Program (ITP), a two-year program designed to provide classroom teaching experience, mentorship, and monthly professional development opportunities for new and developing teachers.

Associate Teachers are members of the Nueva community of educators, one defined by collaboration, inquiry, reflection and lifelong learning. They participate in all aspects of school life, including serving as co-advisors, preparing parent-teacher conferences, chaperoning school trips, and attending faculty meetings and school events. During their second year, Associate Teachers develop a teaching portfolio, and receive support in applying for positions and/or graduate school, building a résumé, and preparing for interviews.

We are seeking applicants who represent the full diversity of our community in the Bay Area. Our ideal candidate will possess an understanding of the diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, academic, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. In joining our team at Nueva, you will become a part of an inclusive, iterative and equity-minded community that recognizes that social justice is a lens with which we examine all aspects of our school community in order to ensure an educational experience where all students can thrive. In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Experience working with young students preferred
• Strong interest in childhood education and desire to work with young students
• Commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in classroom culture and curriculum
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A desire to learn by doing and to learn with and from others
• A desire to teach collaboratively
• Flexibility and creativity in working in a dynamic environment where new ideas, mistakes, and iteration are embraced.
• A profound openness to feedback and improvement, modeling lifelong learning of practice as well as subject area.
• Commitment to a strengths-based approach in working with gifted children.
• A desire to collaborate with diverse groups in a way that builds partnerships, trust, and growth.

Compensation

The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $60,700 - $77,600. The starting salary is based upon, but not limited to, several factors that include type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.

We offer a full benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance for employees, employer contribution toward dependent insurance premium, a generous match on our 403(b) retirement plan, long-term and short-term disability insurance, employer match into flexible spending account, and free lunch.  Eligibility rules apply.

Please send your application information (cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information of three references) to the Nueva Employment Website.  To address specific questions, please email Elizabeth Hoang, at ehoang@nuevaschool.org.

The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field. 

About The Nueva School

The Nueva School, an internationally-recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted and talented students since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students PK-12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, serving six different counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.

A constructivist school, Nueva is known for its distinctive inquiry-based interdisciplinary studies, project-based learning, and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book That Used to Be Us in the chapter “Average Is Over.”

For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website: www.nuevaschool.org

Salary : $60,700 - $77,600