Middle School STEAM Teacher

SYNAPSE SCHOOL POSITION OVERVIEW:

Middle School STEAM Teacher
 

The Synapse School in Menlo Park, CA, an innovative TK-8 independent school located in the heart of Silicon Valley, dedicated to rethinking and reimagining education, seeks a MIDDLE SCHOOL STEAM TEACHER for an opening to teach seventh and eighth grade.
 

Synapse educates a community of Change Makers by combining Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), leading-edge academics, and the practice of innovation. We have an unwavering belief in the capacity of children, and our teachers work alongside our students to unlock their powers of curiosity, discovery, and creativity. Synapse’s program provides a deep and unique range of integrated academic, social, and creative experiences to help children use their hearts and hands to unleash their passion for learning. Synapse draws students from around the San Francisco Bay Area.  

Synapse is a place for people who like being in schools — who bring energy, perspective, and a sense that what we do for our students, families and colleagues matters. Teachers who are optimistic about young people and about the world, who collaborate and communicate generously, and who approach challenges with creativity rather than cynicism, thrive at Synapse.

As a lab school, we are actively integrating AI and emerging technologies into teaching, learning, and operating. Strong candidates will be open to using AI as a tool for planning, feedback, differentiation, and innovation. Comfort with experimentation and continuous learning is essential; perfection is not.

Equally important, we’re looking for educators who model strong emotional intelligence and embody our Change Maker Outcomes: communication, perspective, risk-taking, follow through, creativity, advocacy, inquiry, feedback, and iteration. These habits of mind shape our culture and learning environment, and teachers play a central role in making them visible, practiced, and lived each day.

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Synapse School has a full time opening for a middle school STEAM teacher for the 26-27 school year, teaching grades 7 and 8. The ideal candidate is passionate about exploring STEAM with middle school students, a creative and enthusiastic teacher who has a strong commitment to meeting the learning needs of each student, has a teaching style that supports differentiation of instruction, has a collaborative spirit, and has an interest in building community and being able to make middle school a lasting learning adventure for our middle school students in grades 5-8. The candidate will develop differentiated curriculum, provide direct instruction, and support the assessment process. Additional responsibilities include active involvement in student advisory, electives, collaborative teacher meetings, supervisory duties, and other classes as needed for the MS program.

Central to this teaching experience is our Engineering Design Center, a dedicated space where students bring their ideas to life through rigorous build and prototype work. In this role, you will guide students as they integrate cutting-edge tools into their creative process, positioning AI not just as a teacher's planning resource, but as a fundamental component of how students explore complex problem-solving. We are looking for a forward-thinking educator who thrives in a culture of constant evolution and is eager to lead students in high-level, project-based construction and design.

And, we are looking for a middle school teacher who loves middle schoolers! Is highly collaborative, loves innovation and design, has a growth mindset, always puts the child first, understands constructivism, is committed to SEL, and wants to be part of an exciting team of forward-thinking educators looking to do big things. 

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

• Teach project-based middle school STEAM classes
• Collaborate with teachers and specialists to develop and document integrated theme-based curriculum
• Integrate appropriate technology to enhance learning
• Collaborate effectively with students, teachers, and parents
• Model flexibility in implementing best learning practices
• Provide timely and thoughtful feedback to students and parents in the forms of assessments, written narrative feedback, student-parent-teacher conferences, and meetings/conferences with parents
• Lead a middle school advisory and be a middle school advisor, including mentoring middle school-aged students to support their personal and social-emotional growth
• Possibly mentor an associate teacher
• Chaperone field trips, overnight trips, and wilderness expeditions
• Attend faculty, division, and other meetings as needed

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE WOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of three years of teaching experience, preferably in middle school and in independent schools
• Advanced degree, preferably in science, education, or a related field
• Experience designing and implementing project-based curriculum, as well as explicit skill development
• Desire to be innovative and creative in curriculum design and pedagogy
• Experience differentiating instruction
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion in education
• Effective classroom management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Creativity, flexibility, a sense of humor, and a love of learning
• Demonstrate kindness, enthusiasm, a sense of humor, investment in continued learning and professional growth, and a passion for supporting children as they grow and learn
• A passion to work cooperatively with colleagues on a consistent basis and actively cultivate an inclusive environment and support a school community grounded in empathy, social responsibility, and an appreciation and respect for individual differences

SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS

$100,000 - 120,000

Synapse offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and retirement, as well as additional lifestyle perks. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applicants should email a cover letter of interest, three names of references with contact information and a résumé to careers@synapseschool.org with the subject of “Synapse STEAM Teacher”. This position is open until filled.

Synapse School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and familial affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.