What matters to you as an educator?

• Having the class size, schedule, space, agency, and support necessary to build strong relationships with each student and family in your classroom?
• Collaborating closely with subject-matter specialists and social-emotional/academic learning support professionals to meet a wide range of learning needs?
• Contributing to a neurodiversity-responsive, identity-affirming school community where teachers and families partner to seek and nurture each child’s unique learning potential?

At TBS, we do the work required to create a dynamic, inclusive professional and school community where educators who value these things can thrive. If you are one of these people, read on!

TBS teachers advance The Berkeley School's mission and vision by...

• designing and implementing a student-centered learning environment where culturally responsive, neurodiversity-affirming practices support academic and social-emotional growth for all students.
• cultivating meaningful, responsive relationships with students and families, grounded in clear expectations, consistent communication, and the desire to understand each other better.
• creating and sustaining feedback-rich classroom communities where students learn more about themselves and others, develop empathy and personal responsibility, distinguish between intention and impact, and welcome the chance to be different, together.
• balance planned lessons and emergent opportunities in order to ignite students’ curious minds, awaken their generous hearts, and help them engage a changing world in developmentally appropriate ways. 

This is the job for you if...

• You enjoy teaching in a mixed-grade/multi-age setting. Our unique grade configurations (TK/K, 1st/2nd, 3rd, and 4th/5th), rooted in our founding as a Montessori school, allow a blend of mixed- and single-grade experience, and we welcome educators who appreciate and have experience with mixed-grade instruction.
• You lead with curiosity, working with colleagues, families, and outside professionals to learn as much about your students as possible. You balance your expertise and experience with the knowledge that when you’ve met one child, you’ve met one child, and you understand and work to manage your own biases as you expand your knowledge.
• You believe that elementary grade students who feel seen, supported, and known are equipped to experience the “gentle disequilibrium” in their zones of proximal development that will help them learn and grow. You enjoy creating classroom structures and practices that give students the attention and presence they need to take risks, make mistakes, and seek feedback.

Qualifications and Preferences

• An undergraduate degree, preferably in an area related to teaching, learning, and/or child development.
• At least two years’ elementary grade teaching experience, including implementing structured, multi-sensory literacy programs (such as Science of Reading and Fundations) and math programs  (such as Bridges).
• Familiarity with relationship-based approaches to classroom management (Responsive Classroom, Positive Discipline, Collaborative Problem-Solving, etc.)
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with a neurodiverse student population and supporting students with a wide range of learning and enrichment needs.
• Ability to build strong, positive connections with children, families, and colleagues through clear and compassionate oral and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a high level of personal and professional integrity.

A little more about TBS...

Located directly across the bay from San Francisco in a city known internationally for its history of activism, thought leadership, and community-based change, The Berkeley School has been educating East Bay children since 1963. Compelled by our vision to seek and nurture each child’s unique learning potential, we are a community of lifelong learners who value neurodiversity and seek to provide an academically rich environment with a focus on social-emotional growth as an integral part of our program. Our mission – ignite curious minds, awaken generous hearts, engage a changing world – calls us to keep children and learning at the center of our program while preparing our graduates to think critically, act compassionately, and live ethical, purposeful lives.

The Berkeley School is committed to human-centered principles that promote effective, inclusive operating practices. We also value the skills, knowledge and experiences that a diverse workforce brings to our school. 

What's next?

If you’re interested in joining our team, please submit the following three required items to elementaryteacher@theberkeleyschool.org:

1. Cover Letter: Describing your interest in the position and the ways that your professional and personal values and expertise align with our school’s mission and vision.
2. Resume.
3. Reference List: Contact information (ph # & email address) for three professional references.

Employment Verification & Safety: TBS is committed to student safety. In compliance with SB 848, candidates moving forward in our process will be required to provide a full history of previous educational employers. TBS will contact these institutions to verify employment and fulfill state-mandated reporting requirements regarding egregious misconduct (per Education Code Sections 44051 and 44052).

The salary range for this position is $66,586 - $75,000 depending on experience. This is a full-time, salary-exempt, 100% onsite position.

The Berkeley School is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at The Berkeley School are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual quali?cations, without regard to race, color, age, disability, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, religion, and genetic information. Candidates of color, bilingual candidates, and candidates from other groups traditionally underrepresented in independent schools are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications and Preferences

• An undergraduate degree, preferably in an area related to teaching, learning, and/or child development.
• At least two years’ elementary grade teaching experience, including implementing structured, multi-sensory literacy programs (such as Science of Reading and Fundations) and math programs  (such as Bridges).
• Familiarity with relationship-based approaches to classroom management (Responsive Classroom, Positive Discipline, Collaborative Problem-Solving, etc.)
• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with a neurodiverse student population and supporting students with a wide range of learning and enrichment needs.
• Ability to build strong, positive connections with children, families, and colleagues through clear and compassionate oral and written communication.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with a high level of personal and professional integrity.

About The Berkeley School

Since 1963, The Berkeley School (formerly Berkeley Montessori School) has been a cornerstone of experiential learning in the East Bay. We are an intentionally small, civic-minded K-8th grade school located in the heart of Berkeley, California. Our progressive curricula combine developmentally appropriate rigor with hands-on exploration to develop curiosity-driven, confident, lifelong learners. Rooted in social-emotional learning and community engagement, TBS seeks educators and staff who are passionate about meeting a wide range of neurodiverse learning needs and fostering global citizenship. As we continue to ignite curious minds and awaken generous hearts, we invite you to learn more about our mission-driven community at www.theberkeleyschool.org.

Connections working at The Berkeley School