Are you an experienced, imaginative, and collaborative educator who believes in progressive gifted education? Do you enjoy creating meaningful learning experiences, and being part of a diverse, supportive and talented community? If so, please consider joining our team at Tessellations. We are currently accepting applications for a Chinese Language Teacher (Maternity Coverage) position for the 2026–2027 school year, with the possibility of continuation beyond 2026-2027 depending on program needs. This is a 75% FTE position, to start in August 2026. Competitive salary and full benefits available.

Tessellations is a modern, innovative Pre-K-9th non-profit school for gifted learners based in Cupertino, CA. Our mission is to provide challenging experiential education that recognizes and nurtures the individual strengths of gifted learners, empowering them to confidently express who they are, pursue a meaningful life, and advance an equitable and sustainable world. 

At Tessellations, community is a core value. A strong community was instrumental in launching our school during the pandemic and has facilitated our rapid growth and success since then. Our team consists of passionate, qualified and dedicated staff from diverse backgrounds and includes a nationally renowned gifted expert. We believe that it is time to open a new chapter in 21st century gifted education by forging a model that fosters a cultural ecosystem within the school that promotes innovative thinking and intellectual risk taking. Moving on from an antiquated model born during the industrial revolution, we favor transferable skills over compliance and rote memorization, and collaboration over competition. We believe that assessments should function as guidance for depth and complexity of learning rather than for judgment or sorting.

If you join our team you will help us grow our program and continue designing and delivering a rich, immersive learning experience. You will be heard, respected, and celebrated for your talents and efforts. You will work with students who love to learn, engaged parents who are grateful for your work, and supportive colleagues that will help bring out your best.

Primary Responsibilities

Teaching Responsibilities

• Semester 1 (Maternity Coverage)
  • Teach three sections of Middle School Mandarin Chinese: two sections of Chinese II (Grades 7–8) and one section of Chinese I (Grade 6).
• Serve as an advisor for one grade level, supporting students’ academic progress and social-emotional development.
• Semester 2
  • Continue teaching Chinese I (Grade 6).
  • Continue serving as an advisor for one grade level.
  • Additional Mandarin classes may be assigned in middle school or upper elementary (e.g., Grades 4–5) to support the continued development of the Mandarin program.
  • Teaching assignments may evolve based on enrollment, program development, and staffing needs.

Instruction & Curriculum

• Lesson Planning: Craft classroom lessons that bring the curriculum to life through experiential learning opportunities, transdisciplinary projects, and hands-on research opportunities.
• Thematic, Transdisciplinary Learning: Develop and implement learning activities and units that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world application of knowledge that integrates concepts across disciplines. Teachers may sometimes explain concepts from the front of the classroom, but more often will facilitate discussion and project-based learning.

Student Assessment

• Design formative and summative assessments to measure and track student progress toward major competencies, and provide valuable, timely feedback to support students’ acquisition of skills and competencies.

Professional Engagement

• Professional Development: Approach professional development with a growth mindset, believing that we can always learn and improve our craft as educators. Attend staff meetings and actively engage in professional development opportunities.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the World Language Department Chair and other language teachers to ensure curriculum, instructional practices, and key resources are clearly documented to support program continuity and the development of a cohesive language program.
• Incorporate Technology: Integrate educational technology to support innovative teaching methods, enhance the curriculum, align with current educational trends, and support students with diverse learning needs.

Learning Environment

• Adaptability: Be responsive to changes in the educational landscape and the unique needs of our gifted student population, including scaffolding and differentiation while adjusting and modifying curricular content and instructional strategies as necessary.
• Sense of Belonging: Create and foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where all students feel heard, respected, and valued.

Community Engagement

• Family Engagement: Attend family-teacher meetings as scheduled and as needed to support student learning.

Other Duties

• Other Responsibilities: Complete additional duties and responsibilities as required to support student learning, school operations, and community engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Secondary school teaching experience; experience teaching gifted or high-achieving students is highly desirable
• Fluency with Mandarin language speaking, writing and presentation skills
• Proficiency with technology (GSuite in particular)
• Strong understanding of project-based learning and differentiated instruction
• Strong understanding of ACTFL proficiency guidelines, proficiency-based instruction, and performance-based assessment.
• Knowledge of curriculum design, assessment strategies, and educational technology
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and collaboration skills
• Innovative mindset and a commitment to educational excellence
• Social-emotional teaching experience
• Familiarity with and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion practices
• Openness and flexibility in designing improved learning experiences
• Enthusiastic life-long learner
• Passing a criminal background check upon hire

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD
• Experience teaching gifted learners
• Experience teaching twice-exceptional learners
• Experience with inquiry based learning and project based learning

Compensation

$57,750 - $82,500 for a 75% FTE position.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, 401(k), flexible spending account, paid time off, holidays, and school breaks.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@tessellations.school. For more information about our school, visit http://www.tessellations.school.

Tessellations is an Equal Opportunity Employer — we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, or reproductive health decision making. 

About Tessellations

Tessellations is a modern, innovative PreK-9th non-profit school for gifted learners based in Cupertino, CA. Our mission is to provide challenging experiential education that recognizes and nurtures the individual strengths of gifted learners, empowering them to confidently express who they are and pursue a meaningful life. At Tessellations, community is a core value. A strong community was instrumental in launching our school during the pandemic and has facilitated our strong growth and success since then. Our team consists of passionate, qualified and dedicated staff from diverse backgrounds and includes a nationally renowned gifted expert. We believe that it is time to open a new chapter in high school education by forging a model that fosters a cultural ecosystem within the school that promotes innovative thinking and intellectual risk taking. Moving on from an antiquated model born during the industrial revolution, we favor durable skills over compliance and memorization, and collaboration over competition. We believe that assessments should function as guidance rather than judgment.

Connections working at Tessellations