Mandarin and Cross-Departmental Teacher

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 9-12, as well as a post-graduate year. Mr. Gunn had a deep appreciation for the natural world, believing that in nature, students understand themselves as humans and their place in the world. He took a principled stand against slavery and spurred students (and the town at large) to examine their beliefs. In addition to the habits and skills students will need in college and life beyond, we teach them to follow Mr. Gunn’s example: to cultivate wisdom, to be trailblazers, to act with conviction, and to value character as highly as intellect and achievement.

Summary

The Frederick Gunn School is seeking candidates for a full-time teaching position that includes Mandarin instruction within the World Language Department as well as contributing to another academic department. Applicants must enjoy working with high school students of all ages, both in and outside the classroom, and must understand and embrace the values of a boarding school community. They should bring passion, energy, and creativity to the classroom, and demonstrate a strong interest in teaching Mandarin in its various forms, modes, and contexts.

Candidates must have experience teaching Mandarin and a commitment to student-centered, communicative language instruction. Preference will be given to candidates who can also teach in an additional language and/or contribute to courses in another academic department.

As with all faculty positions at The Frederick Gunn School, this role includes responsibilities beyond the classroom—serving as a coach, house parent, and advisor within our vibrant boarding school community.

Responsibilities:

The general responsibilities of a full-time teacher at The Frederick Gunn School include:

• Candidates must have experience teaching Mandarin. Preference will be given to those who can also teach in another language and/or contribute to an additional academic department.
• Teach up to four sections in an interactive classroom environment.
• Design and implement an engaging, student-centered curriculum grounded in project-based and communication-focused pedagogy, with an emphasis on real-world language use and cultural competency.
• Prepare course materials such as syllabi, assessments (quizzes, tests), and instructional resources that align with departmental goals and best practices in language instruction.
• Provide guidance and support to students, including extra help and review sessions, to promote their academic success, confidence, and personal growth.
• Assess student progress regularly and provide timely, constructive feedback, including written reports as required.
• Integrate technology and authentic resources to create an immersive and dynamic target-language environment.
• Stay current with developments in language pedagogy and educational technology, and thoughtfully incorporate relevant innovations into the classroom.
• Serve as an active advocate for the Mandarin program and World Language Department by fostering student interest, enthusiasm, and enrollment.
• Engage in proactive outreach within the school community to build awareness and excitement about language learning opportunities.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with students, families, and colleagues.
• Collaborate closely with faculty across departments to support interdisciplinary learning and contribute to a cohesive academic program.
• Participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the World Language program at The Frederick Gunn School.

Faculty Philosophy

Faculty at The Frederick Gunn School are educators, mentors, coaches, and role models. Mr. Gunn wrote in 1870, “There is an unconscious influence, a mysterious, silent emanation going out from the personality of every teacher... more powerful than the will of man... every teacher will actually teach that which he is.” To teach at The Frederick Gunn School is to embrace this legacy—to guide students toward their best selves, in mind, body, and spirit.

Job Details:

Opening for August 2026. Offer of employment will be contingent upon a successful background check. 

Compensation:

The Frederick Gunn School offers an attractive compensation package that includes a salary commensurate with experience.

To Apply:

• Resume.
• Cover letter.
• Transcript(s).
• Two to four letters of recommendation.

Core Values:

Integrated Humans:

• Thriving people learn to integrate the intellectual, the physical, the spiritual, and the emotional through an examination of the place of each, discernment about their relative role, and a commitment to balance and flourishing.

Hopeful Faculty:

• We prize faculty who believe resiliently, optimistically and with good humor in the students’ and faculty’s collective ability to grow and learn; know their discipline and practice, and understand character development. A faculty oriented around these principles will earn the confidence of students and create a place of purpose and fun where faculty and students want to be.

Learning Ecosystem:

• Thriving communities recognize the interdependent nature of their parts. Therefore, The Frederick Gunn School is a school that champions the interdisciplinary and inter-experiential nature of life and learning - one that incorporates the outdoors, athletics, and arts, as well as academics, into everyday life.

Moral Character Development:

• We are a school that nurtures Mr. Gunn’s belief in character as the driving force in a life well-lived, and that character emerges through the intentional pursuit—in knowledge and practice—of what is good, right, true, sustainable, and beautiful.

Engaged Citizens:

• The Frederick Gunn School is a school that, despite growing cultural apathy, cynicism, consumerism and distraction, produces people who care deeply - who become wise, engaged, active citizens.

The Frederick Gunn School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Except in cases of a bona fide occupational qualification or need, or except as otherwise permitted or required by law, The Frederick Gunn School does not discriminate against applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, intellectual disability, learning disability or physical disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, victims of domestic violence or any other protected class status under applicable law with respect to hiring, compensation, promotion, discharge from employment or other terms and conditions of employment. Position announcements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the job title and the education and skills required. Descriptions are not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties and skills that are required or may be required in the future.

BACKGROUND SCREENING: The Frederick Gunn School conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer, which includes using a third-party administrator to conduct the checks.

The Frederick Gunn School, founded in 1850, is a co-ed boarding and day school for 325 students in grades 9-12 as well as a post-graduate year located in Washington, Connecticut. Frederick Gunn was a pioneering educator, courageous abolitionist, and rugged outdoorsman. He inspired generations of students to be curious and thoughtful, to be active members of their communities, and to stand up for what they believe in. He was a transformational leader. Our students become principled, active citizens and lifelong learners who will be entrepreneurial forces for good in the world.