Upper School Mandarin Teacher

Overview

Head-Royce School is seeking a full-time Upper School Mandarin teacher to join our team, beginning in August 2026. We seek teachers who are excited by the content they teach and actively evolving their classroom pedagogy. Head-Royce School envisions a future where education unlocks the promise and purpose of every student to better the world. Our faculty create classrooms that encourage experiential learning, risk-taking, multiple perspectives, use of innovative tools, and demonstration of proficiencies through a range of assessments including real-world problems and performances.

Beyond the classroom, teachers are expected to take on Upper School duties such as advising and to participate in the life of the community. We seek applicants with a strong academic background, experience in culturally responsive teaching, a deep understanding of adolescents, and a genuine fondness for working with all students at this age level. Head-Royce teachers serve as advisors and club sponsors and participate in the life of the community.

Priority consideration will be given to applications received by February 16, 2026.

• Teach Mandarin to Upper School students at a variety of levels.

• Be an empathetic, warm, and clear communicator with students, colleagues, and parents.

• Engage in curriculum design using varied pedagogical approaches including UbD and UDL, and be familiar with ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Language Learning.

• Collaborate with other educators and participate in relevant Upper School duties, such as advising and club sponsorship.

• Participate in an outdoor education trip for three nights (additional stipend paid).

• Native speaker or non-native speaker with ACTFL Superior level skills.

• Bachelor Degree in Mandarin language and/or literature or related field.

• Experience with innovative approaches to teaching language, such as Comprehensible Input or Integrated Performance Assessments.

• Ability to provide proof of Fingerprint, TB and SB848 Clearance.

• Advanced degrees/certification are desirable in Mandarin or Mandarin language education.

$75,000 - $125,000 a year. Starting August 1, 2026. Salary dependent on years of teaching experience and education.

To Apply

Interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest as well as a current resume. Application materials should be submitted through the hiring portal website.

Located on a 22-acre campus in Oakland, California, Head-Royce School (HRS) is a pre-eminent, co-educational, independent, K-12 day school with a 138-year history. Our mission is to develop students of character, intellect, and creativity. We deliver on our mission by living our values:

• Students First
  :
  We prioritize student learning, development, and well-being.
• Academic Excellence
  :
  We pursue knowledge and assess our learning to better ourselves and our community.
• Diversity
  :
  We embrace our different perspectives, backgrounds, experiences and identities to expand and enrich what we can learn and do together.
• Belonging
  :
  We create the conditions in which everyone thrives and brings their authentic selves.
• Civic Engagement
  :
  We connect students to the local community and beyond to enhance their academic experiences and foster genuine engagement.

Head-Royce enrolls approximately 900 students in the three divisions—Lower, Middle, and Upper—and provides a dynamic, whole-child education to every student. We envision a future where education unlocks the promise and purpose of every student to better the world.

Immigration and employment policy
: HRS is unable to provide immigration sponsor ships such as H1B visas. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and be willing to undergo Livescan background check and TB screening as part of the hiring process. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background checks and compliance with California SB 848, which requires disclosure of credible complaints, substantiated investigations, or discipline involving egregious misconduct by educational institutions.

Head-Royce provides equal…