Independent Schools of Saint Louis

Upper School Teacher: Mandarin Chinese Principia School

Title: Upper School Teacher: Mandarin Chinese 

Department/Location: Upper School Faculty, St. Louis 

Position Type: Full-Time, 39-week 

Summary 

Principia is looking for a dynamic and passionate World Language Teacher to inspire student interest and ownership in language learning. In this role, you will create engaging, real-life learning experiences, teach for understanding using a variety of methods, and immerse students in the target language and culture in alignment with the school’s curriculum. Your ability to connect with 21st-century learners, adapt teaching strategies, and foster language acquisition through immersive instruction will be key to your success. Reporting to the Department Chair and Principal – Middle and Upper School, you will play a critical role in helping students develop fluency and cultural understanding. You’ll collaborate with colleagues and actively engage in professional learning opportunities to enhance your teaching practice. 

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends.  

At Principia School, our core value is LOVE. Love and its attributes underpin our foundational beliefs as well as our educational approach. We focus on developing the whole child—intellectually, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, preparing students for the next steps in life. We foster a challenging yet supportive environment where character unfolds naturally, and talent is cultivated through boundless opportunities. Character education plays an essential role in every aspect of the student experience, and classroom work is augmented by character trips, leadership development, and real-world, hands-on, project-based learning. 

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. 

Primary Responsibilities

  • Displays a strong interest and love for working with high school students. 

  • Develops four basic language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

  • Incorporates the use of technology and software to enhance the language learning experience. 

  • Plans effective lessons that invoke student interest and ownership. 

  • Models an enthusiasm and love for the subject. 

  • Utilizes the Understanding by Design (UbD) model to design units and lessons. 

  • Helps students develop strong appreciation of foreign peoples and their cultures, knowledge of the area’s geography, and critical thinking and communication skills. 

  • Able to work with a wide range of students – helping them feel successful and reach their full potential. 

  • Recognizes that the subject of Mandarin Chinese is a vehicle for character education. 

  • Provides additional help during conference periods. 

  • Handles discipline situations in an effective manner. 

  • Communicates well and works effectively with colleagues, parents, houseparents, and administrators. 

  • Organizes work to achieve timeliness and order. 

  • Uses effective information technology for learning. 

  • Designs authentic language immersion experiences such as travel to a Chinese speaking country. 

Core Competencies 

  • Strategic thinkers:  Ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions. 

  • Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively and professionally with candidates and staff at all levels and build strong relationships 

  • Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well; effectively influences actions of others; inspires respect and trust; accepts feedback from others; provides vision and inspiration to peers and direct reports; gives appropriate recognition to others; mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; promotes a positive work environment. 

  • Communication: Provides regular, consistent, and meaningful information. Listens carefully to others and ensures message is understood. Ensures important matters are shared with all appropriate parties. Communicates in a clear and concise manner. Tailors communication style to needs of the recipient. 

  • Project Management: Monitors status of projects, thoroughly deals with project details, holds project owners and participants accountable, delivers clear, accurate depiction of status 

  • Technical Skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; pursues training and development opportunities; strives to continuously build knowledge and skills 

Minimum Qualifications  

  • Student of Christian Science preferred  

  • Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements  

  • Masters degree in Chinese 

  • Teaching certification 

  • Documented classroom experience teaching high school students 

  • Able to perform detailed work in pronunciation, practice in basic patterns of grammar, build vocabulary, develop aural-oral skills, teach reading and writing comprehension, and introduce culture and literature 

  • Able to relate well with students and adults 

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Compensation and Benefits 

We offer a competitive salary range for this position: $53,000 - $78,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: 

  • Generous Employee Tuition Discount: Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded).  

  • Relocation: Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary, when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles  

  • Professional Development: Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support. 

  • Comprehensive Benefits: Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more.  

Equal Opportunity  

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.  

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.