Upper School Chinese Teacher

Hawken School is committed to doing school differently and better. We seek to create an inclusive and accepting community where adults are empowered to design educational experiences for students that are deep and learner-centered. Hawken School seeks culturally-competent teachers, administrators, and staff members who are committed to equity and social justice, who are comfortable taking risks, and who embrace a growth mindset. We are constantly looking for new ways to inspire student curiosity and agency while remaining dedicated to nurturing compassion and kindness in our students.

THE POSITION:

Hawken School is seeking a full time Chinese teacher for the school year. The ideal candidate would be experienced in a language-acquisition, proficiency-based approach with knowledge of (or a hunger to learn more about) methodologies such as: Comprehensible Input, Project-Based Learning, Personalized Learning, and Inquiry-Based Learning. At Hawken, we teach levels of Chinese based on the ACTFL Proficiency guidelines, consisting of novice low to mid, novice high to intermediate low, intermediate mid, and intermediate high to advanced (with an AP Chinese option). The school also offers three-week Intensive and summer courses in which students engage in authentic learning in Northeast Ohio and abroad. The ideal candidate should be comfortable teaching at all levels and excited to co-design interdisciplinary learning opportunities with students and colleagues.

THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Teach five sections of Chinese with simplified characters, ranging from novice to advanced level (including some AP students)
• Actively participate in re-envisioning curricula along with other members of the Modern and Classical Languages Department
• Be available during office hours to offer extra help in subject areas of expertise
• Engage meaningfully in extracurricular activities in and out of the department
• Potentially co-advise a group of 10-12 students, overseeing their academic and social growth
• Utilize feedback-based assessment
• Perform other non-teaching duties as assigned by the Upper School Director or Head of School Because Hawken believes in supporting teachers' passions, in deepening their expertise, and in fueling their spirit of innovation, we provide substantive professional development opportunities that lead to the kinds of excellence that are a hallmark of our community. QUALIFICATIONS:
  • An undergraduate degree in Chinese or similar degree; an advanced degree with at least three years of L2 classroom experience are preferred
  • Native or near-native fluency in Chinese is required
  • Comfort with teaching in an immersive, proficiency-oriented classroom with students of differing levels
  • Enthusiasm, flexibility, and a team spirit necessary for curricular collaboration and innovation
  • A deep understanding of adolescence and a passion for working with teenagers as they engage the complex issues of today's world
  • Familiarity with diverse ways of engaging students over a range of learning styles enhanced by a desire to try new approaches
  • A passion for creatively designing unique programing within our department and across disciplines to support curriculum that encompasses interdisciplinary approaches, multicultural perspectives, and experiential opportunities in and out of the classroom
  • A continuous commitment to improve teaching proficiency, particularly with technology as applied to best practices in education HAWKEN CANDIDATE COMPETENCIES:

    Mission, Culture, and Philosophy Alignment: Successful candidates show they can thrive at Hawken and are highly motivated by the school's mission.

    Fair Play: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Successful candidates indicate a commitment to and have experience with serving students and communities equitably.

    Relationship Building and Cultivation: Successful candidates show they can build relationships throughout the Hawken community.

    Content Knowledge: Successful candidates demonstrate depth in content area knowledge as well as an ability to inspire students to a high level of excellence and challenge and take a student-centered approach to all aspects of their work.

    Humility and Growth Mindset: Successful candidates are eager to learn new approaches and methods and be able to team effectively with others.

    Approach to Work: Successful candidates show initiative and agency with a commitment toward feedback and flexible problem-solving.

    THE SCHOOL: Founded on the ideal that "the better self shall prevail and each generation introduce its successor to a higher plane of life," Hawken School is a coeducational independent day school with 1,600 students in toddler through grade 12. Our four campuses are located within 25 minutes of downtown Cleveland, and an urban extension center in the city's museum district provides a demanding and integrated course of study in a diverse and dynamic environment.

    To learn more about us, visit .

    HOW TO APPLY: Please send a resume, references, and a cover letter to Matt Simon at

    Hawken School is an equal-opportunity employer dedicated to promoting all forms of diversity in the workplace and in our student body. We strongly urge all qualified individuals to apply.