Elementary Teacher (Silicon Valley, CA) - La Scuola International School
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
About the Job
La Scuola International School is the only Reggio Emilia inspired, International Baccalaureate (Early, Primary and Middle Years) and Italian Language Immersion school in the world. Teachers are researchers and are supported with robust Professional Development opportunities throughout the year.
Learning is a part of everything that we do, not just what happens in the classroom. While our school experience is rooted in highly regarded curricula, the magic of La Scuola is more than what we teach. It is how we teach and learn, which is truly a way of living, thinking, and interacting with the world. To learn more, please visit us at www.lascuolasf.org.
Founded: 2002
Number of students: 435
Locations: San Francisco and Silicon Valley
La Scuola International School is an independent non-profit school accredited by NAIS, CAIS, WASC and CIS and is one of two Italian schools recognized by the Italian government in the United States.
Job DescriptionLa Scuola International seeks experienced and passionate Elementary School teachers for the upcoming school year.
We are particularly interested in teachers with experience in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB-PYP). Applicants should be able to teach an inquiry-based curriculum, be collaborative, proactive and flexible. Solutions-oriented thinkers, strong communicators and curious learners will thrive in La Scuola’s diverse and dynamic environment.
The teacher will support and implement the daily program in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the School under the supervision and direction of the Division Director and the Head of School.
Role & Responsibilities include but are not limited to
- Designing, planning & implementing appropriate curriculum goals and long-term projects within the IB-PYP guidelines;
- Setting educational and developmental goals for the children, both as a group and individually;
- Preparing the environment (indoor and outdoor) so as to support the educational objectives/goals;
- Establishing and maintaining a personal connection with each parent, child's family;
- Communicating with parents.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education (or equivalent area of study) and / or California Teaching Credential;
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience teaching in K-8 grade level, preferably in a Language Immersion, Reggio Emilia and / or and International Baccalaureate (IB) accredited school; or 5+ years experience working with children;
- Bilingual and bi-literate in Italian and English with native or near-native Italian proficiency.
Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
- Familiarity and ability to plan curriculum within the Reggio Emilia Approach, Language Immersion models, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum framework or inquiry/project-based learning;
- Strong classroom management and organization skills that foster student engagement and collaboration;
- Experience implementing Responsive Classroom and restorative practices;
- Strong time management skills including consistent attendance, punctuality, ability to meet deadlines and participation in school life;
- Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that prioritizes reflection and fosters growth as the school continues to evolve;
- Ability to be open-minded, creative and curious, learning in relationship with colleagues and students alike; outstanding interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to foster strong relationships with all community members including parents, educators, students and beyond;
- Ability to work well in a team and in a very collegial and collaborative environment;
- Ability to find joy in working with all children and to differentiate learning and connect across learner profiles;
- Dedication to being an active, enthusiastic member of the La Scuola community, contributing collaboratively within an internationally diverse team and learning environment;
- Passion for the school’s mission and values in addition to the curricular focus;
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our community.
Additional Information
Start date: August 1, 2025
Salary Range: $70,000 - $95,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience and credentials. Relocation may be reimbursed up to $3,000 for international and up to $750 for domestic moves with proof of qualifying expenses.
Benefits & Compensation
Full time positions receive generous compensation and benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage. The school also offers an Employer-Matched Retirement Account (up to 5%), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), Commuter Benefits, Group Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, World Travel Assistance. Benefits may be available for employees who work between 20-29 hours per week with employees being responsible for 50% of the monthly premiums.
Other benefits include Personal Time Off, Paid Federal Holidays and School Closures, daily warm lunch while on site, Employee Referral Bonuses, Outstanding Professional Development and Mentorship throughout the year, Free Employee Childcare for students enrolled at La Scuola during Professional Development Days.
Additional Information
Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Prior to beginning work and as a condition of employment in order to comply with the law, all employees must provide documentation to prove eligibility to work in the United States.
Final candidates will need to pass both Criminal Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance and a physical exam, and provide a recent copy of a negative TB test and other immunization records.
Work Visa Sponsorship
La Scuola may be able to offer a teachers exchange visa for 3 to 5 years, for those who meet the requirements. Teachers must possess the equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Pedagogy or equivalent in their country of origin, have a MINIMUM of two years of full time teaching experience in a school and be actively employed as a teacher at the time they apply. Applicants must be able to demonstrate fluency in English.
How to Apply
Refer to the Employment Opportunities within and apply online. Please include a cover letter sharing your background and interest and your résumé (translated into English) as a first step. Applicants should be prepared to share three professional references and a teaching demonstration.
As part of the interview process, you can expect to meet with our Human Resources team and Assistant Head of School as well as the Hiring Manager, in most cases the Division Director.