Early Childhood Teacher

ABOUT KHAN LAB SCHOOL

In 2012, Sal Khan wrote The One World Schoolhouse that outlines how modern education developed and how Khan Academy came to be. The book outlines a vision for the future of both in-person and online education given the tools we have and the need to participate in the knowledge economy. In 2014, he founded Khan Lab School to test and refine these ideas in an actual school setting.

Khan Lab School is a K-12 independent school on two campuses serving over 290 students in Silicon Valley. The Lower School (K-6) program is located in Palo Alto, California. The Upper School (7-12) is located in Mountain View, California.   

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Early Childhood Teacher to join our dynamic team. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of and expertise in early childhood development, a passion for nurturing young learners, and the ability to create a joyful, inquiry-based, and developmentally appropriate learning environment. The Early Childhood Teacher will also help pioneer an innovative Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program.

Our TK program is designed to support children who turn four years old by June 1, preparing them for kindergarten through a mix of play-based learning and purposeful exploration. We focus on cultivating foundational academic, social-emotional, and creative skills while fostering curiosity, collaboration, and confidence. The TK curriculum integrates a hands-on, project-based curriculum with individualized attention, ensuring every child develops a strong sense of agency, empathy, and community.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

The responsibilities encompass but are not limited to these primary areas:

Curriculum Development & Implementation

• Design and deliver a program aligned with KLS’s vision, emphasizing inquiry-based learning, play, and exploration.
• Foster the development of social-emotional skills, creativity, and foundational literacy and numeracy.

Classroom Environment

• Create a warm, welcoming, and stimulating classroom environment that reflects the developmental needs of children ages 4-6 years.
• Implement age-appropriate learning centers and materials to support hands-on, experiential learning.

Student Development

• Monitor and assess each child’s growth across cognitive, social, emotional, and physical domains.
• Provide individualized support and adjust instruction to meet diverse learning needs.

Collaboration & Communication

• Build strong relationships with families through regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and family engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with colleagues and school leaders to align the early childhood  program with KLS’s PATH  (Purpose, Agency, Teamwork, and Heart) approach.

Professional Development

• Stay current with research and best practices in early childhood education.
• Participate in ongoing training and contribute to the broader KLS community.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERIENCE INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of teaching experience in early childhood or lower elementary education, preferably in a play-based or inquiry-driven setting.
• Deep knowledge of developmental milestones for 4 - 6-year-old children.
• Strong classroom management skills and the ability to create a nurturing, engaging, and inclusive learning environment.
• Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative mindset.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in independent or innovative schools.
• Familiarity with mastery, project-based and design-thinking approaches.
• Passion for integrating social-emotional learning into daily routines.
• Creativity, flexibility, and enthusiasm for building a program from the ground up.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds as some organizational duties involve moving desks, chairs, electronics, paperwork and other school supplies and equipment as needed.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Capability moving about in an office setting to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Ability to proficiently and frequently operate a computer and keyboard as well as other office equipment such as copy machines, printers, and projectors.
• Consistently practice safe working habits while using school supplies, equipment, and electronics as well as the ability to maintain a safe and hazard-free workstation for yourself and others at the school.
• Occasionally required to work weekends and/or nights, and be on-call for special events which are sometimes held outside and require the ability and willingness to work in all weather conditions at any time of the year.

Khan Lab School is an equal opportunity employer. The organization does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, creed, gender (including gender identity or gender expression), religion (all aspects of religious beliefs, observance or practice, including religious dress or grooming practices), marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disabilities, medical conditions (including medical history or genetic characteristics), sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws or regulations.

Salary : $85