Mandarin PreK Teacher

Brain Builders Academy is seeking a warm, energetic, and creative Mandarin-speaking teacher to lead a small PreK group of no more than five children. (Mon-Fri 7:30-3:30) We are an innovative early elementary STEM school in Chicago’s West Loop serving children ages 3–9.

Our PreK program combines individualized instruction with hands-on science, sensory exploration, dramatic phonics, math, music, and movement. Teachers introduce Mandarin naturally throughout the school day through conversation, songs, stories, games, and classroom routines while supporting children’s academic, social, and emotional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small group of up to five PreK students
• Communicate with children in both Mandarin and English throughout the day
• Create a nurturing, joyful, and engaging classroom environment
• Teach phonics, math, and science lessons using BBA’s curriculum
• Plan hands-on activities, sensory experiences, art projects, and dramatic-play opportunities
• Support students during meals, transitions, rest time, and bathroom routines
• Observe each child’s progress and adapt instruction to meet individual needs
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe learning environment
• Communicate professionally and warmly with families and other staff members
• Participate in school events, field trips, training, and collaborative planning

Qualifications

• Fluent in Mandarin and conversational or fluent in English
• Experience teaching or caring for children ages 3–5
• Warm, patient, dependable, and comfortable working with young children
• Able to manage a classroom while providing individualized attention
• Enthusiastic about science, nature, creative play, and hands-on learning
• Open to learning and implementing BBA’s brain-based curriculum and teaching methods
• CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification
• Early childhood education coursework or a related degree is preferred
• Montessori, Reggio Emilia, bilingual, or STEM teaching experience is a plus

About Brain Builders Academy

Brain Builders Academy is a small, academically advanced school with a 5:1 student-teacher ratio. Our PreK teachers are bilingual in Mandarin and English, and students also receive formal Mandarin and private piano instruction twice each week.

Our program is designed around early brain development and combines individualized phonics and math instruction with immersive science experiences. PreK students explore biology, earth science, physics, chemistry, and astronomy through real-world experiments, animals, classroom habitats, field trips, and imaginative play.

We are looking for a teacher who will bring warmth, curiosity, creativity, and genuine enthusiasm to our school community.