[2026-2027] TK Mandarin Homeroom Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

2026-2027 Transitional Kindergarten Lead Teacher and Lesson Designer (Mandarin Immersion) 

Yu Ming Charter School seeks dynamic, innovative, and experienced educators to join our team, committed to nurturing lifelong learners who are bilingual, bicultural and able to create change in their own lives and in our community. We seek teachers that are excited by the possibility of transforming the traditional model of education to be learner-centered through personalized and project based learning that cultivates both the cognitive and social emotional skills our students need to thrive in school and beyond.  Yu Ming teachers are leaders that thrive on exploration, collaboration, and seek to continuously learn and grow as individuals and team members.

ABOUT YU MING CHARTER SCHOOL

Yu Ming Charter School is a non-profit, tuition-free network of public schools located in Oakland and San Leandro and open to all residents of California. As a leader in Mandarin Immersion education, our mission is to nurture our inclusive and diverse community to become empowered, engaged, and outstanding global citizens. We currently serve 1060 students across three campuses, and continue to grow our enrollment each year. Our intentionally diverse student body comes from many racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds representing 70 zip codes across the Bay Area and 29 home languages. Founded in 2011, Yu Ming is the first Mandarin immersion public charter school in the state. 

We believe every child, regardless of their background or zip code, deserves a free, high-quality education that prepares them today to succeed tomorrow. Ranked the #7 Elementary School and the #2 Elementary Charter School in California by U.S. News, Yu Ming is a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a 2020 and 2023 California Distinguished School. Yu Ming’s future-forward model prepares young people to succeed and thrive in an interconnected and multicultural world through personalized and rigorous learning experiences, active student agency, whole child and community focus, and multilingual education.  As a result, our students far outperform their peers in the district, county, and state, regardless of socio-economic status, race, language background, and learning differences. We are closing the opportunity gap for our historically underserved students every day. To learn more about our innovative school visit our website

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement Common Core State Standards-aligned units of study and lessons that build and integrate hands-on, inquiry- and play-based, student-centered learning experiences in Mandarin Chinese and all California P/TK domains  (i.e. social-emotional development, language and learning, mathematics, social science, science, physical development, health, arts)
• Personalize learning by teaching effectively to the diversity of students in the classroom and ensuring student mastery of skills
• Assess and analyze student progress using a variety of means to collect and report on data, make strategic planning decisions, and tailor instruction to meet individual student needs
• Use educational technology to support instruction, develop and deliver content and skill benchmarks, organize instructional materials, and track student progress
• Establish a strong classroom culture for learning that is positive, inclusive, restorative, and contributes to the broader school community  
• Provide access and ensure  results for all students (i.e. above and below grade level proficiency, with IEP’s, English Learners) and integrate needed differentiation, interventions, accommodations, and extensions
• Actively collaborate with all colleagues, contribute pedagogical knowledge and expertise, and provide shared stewardship of the school
• Plan and pursue a program of personal professional growth and participate in both internal and external professional development activities
• Build meaningful relationships and communicate effectively with students, families, colleagues, and other school stakeholders
• Maintain a high-level of professionalism including meeting deadlines and commitments to self and the community
• May participate in summer program teaching or professional learning or curriculum development

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Instructional leadership: Lead the development and implementation of innovative teaching methods and strategies, establishing high-quality instruction for Yu Ming’s TK. 
• Program development: Contribute to the codification and continuous improvement of Yu Ming’s TK program.
• Lesson design: Design lessons and instructional activities that align with educational standards and Yu Ming's model. 
• Assessment design: Help create assessment tools to monitor student progress and inform instructional adjustments. 
• Classroom environment and materials: Participate in the selection and design of the TK indoor and outdoor learning environments and materials that foster positive student engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• B.A. or B.S. 
• Hold (or be eligible for) appropriate California Credential (or transferable out of state equivalency)
• Completion of 24 units in ECE/child development by the end of the second year of employment
• ECE or Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten teaching experience
• Near-native proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (including simplified Chinese) and proficiency in English

Preferred

• M.A. or M.S. in Education or Subject Area
• Three years experience teaching in relevant grade(s) or subject
• Experience in teaching related to dual-immersion and Chinese language development
• Experience with Google apps and other educational technology
• Experience with one or more of the following : project-based learning, social-emotional learning, personalized learning, service learning, interdisciplinary curriculum
• Understanding of the Common Core State Standards
• Superb interpersonal skills; ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of students, colleagues and families
• Flexibility and adaptability to change; ability to work in a dynamic, creative and start-up learning environment
• Driven adult learner dedicated to his or her own professional growth, including learning new and innovative teaching practices
• Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and a solutions-oriented attitude

TIME COMMITMENT

180-day school year, 8 student-free professional development days for collaboration with colleagues. Common building hours are 8:00am-3:30pm Monday, 8:00am-4pm Tuesday-Friday. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Yu Ming offers a generous salary and benefits package which includes: 

• Placement on the Yu Ming Charter School Salary Table based on years of experience and highest degree earned, with up to 12 years of experience recognized. 
• An additional $5000 stipend for National Board Certification.
• 100% of Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance covered by the school (depending on the selected plan).
• Free Access to an Employee Assistance Program offering a variety of services including counseling and legal aid.
• Participation in CalStrs Retirement System.
• 11 Sick days per full time employee per school year. 

TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply at

Application submission screening and initial phone interviews will be completed on a rolling basis.

Yu Ming Charter School is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity at all levels.