Mandarin Teacher
Northwest Academy is seeking a Mandarin Teacher for the 2026–27 school year.
About Northwest Academy:
Northwest Academy is an independent middle and high school located in downtown Portland. We offer our community of learners a progressive, arts-integrated, place-based curriculum that is student-centered, rich with rigor, creativity and self-expression, civically and culturally relevant. We value an inclusive, caring culture that supports and challenges all students appropriately; that is guided by their unique developmental needs and challenges; that develops their curiosity, responsibility, and resilience; and celebrates their burgeoning independence and individuality.
Benefits And Advantages Of Becoming An Educator With Our Community: FACULTY
Northwest Academy encourages and supports our educators in having a meaningful work and life balance. Teachers enjoy a low student-to-teacher ratio, have some flexibility in off-campus preparation time, and take part in an inclusive and collaborative community of colleagues, staff, and administrators.
Northwest Academy also offers opportunities for Creative Production Grants to support individual artistic endeavors.
Position Details:
We are seeking a Mandarin Teacher for mid-August ’26 to mid-June ’27. This position includes two fluent level classes: one in middle school, and the other in high school. The World Languages department’s emphasis is on learning a language in a vibrant, interactive, organic environment — as opposed to rote memorization and textbook practice. Students are assessed across the four modes of expression via benchmarks established by ACTFL.
Full-time equiv.: 0.4
Position Title: Mandarin Teacher
Department: World Languages
Reports To: M.S./H.S. Deans of Faculty and Curriculum
Responsibilities:
- Teach all classes as assigned—providing effective and inclusive classroom instruction and management through evidenced-backed practices such as positive discipline or culturally sensitive pedagogy
- If unavailable for a class, communicate clearly with the school to make adequate substitute plans
- Design and implement high-quality curriculum consistent with the school’s mission and values (progressive, arts-integrated, and place-based) and with standards established with the department’s program through collaboration with colleagues
- Differentiate and accommodate within the classroom to meet the needs of all students, as well as provide additional out-of-class instruction and/or resources when necessary for remedial or accelerated work
- Provide students with formative assessments and feedback in a timely manner with a focus on student learning and growth—as well as on developing students’ growth mindsets
- Have positive, supportive, and appropriate interactions with all students and effectively supervise them to promote a safe and healthy school environment
- Complete in a timely and professional manner required reports and forms—including grades, disciplinary matters, and health and safety issues—with a focus on fairness, equity, inclusion, honesty, and transparency
- Communicate professionally and maintain collaborative relationships with students and families, colleagues, and external stakeholders (tutors, colleges, community partners) to the benefit of students and the school
- Exhibit a growth mindset about teaching practices and work toward professional goals and development
- Actively participate in the following in-school activities: faculty and staff meetings (in-service and professional development, division meetings, department meetings, grade-level meetings, professional learning communities), student life (advisory, clubs, lunch events), and additional academic enhancements (office hours, field trips, student conferences, mentoring student projects, college recommendations). These responsibilities are proportionally assigned for part-time employees
- Be available for substitute teaching during designated time periods
- Positively represent the school at community or public events, including: Board/faculty events, Back-to-School Night, Open Houses and other faculty/parent events, and chaperoning overnight class trips/retreats and/or evening/weekend student events
- Uphold all school policies, regulations, and expectations
- Fulfill other responsibilities as assigned in support of the work of the administrative/leadership team, the Head of School, and the Board of Trustees
Qualifications:
- Earned Bachelor’s Degree, or higher, in Mandarin or Mandarin education, from an accredited institution of higher education; advanced degree in education or related field preferred
- Demonstrated near-native fluency in Mandarin: reading, writing, and speaking
- Demonstrated success teaching Mandarin in middle and high school classrooms
- Demonstrated success working effectively with and motivating young adolescent and adolescent learners
- Demonstrated success in curriculum development
- Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication skills; ability to effectively communicate and work as a team with administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and students
- Proficiency with computers, Google Drive, and word processing, database, electronic grading software, and other classroom technologies
- The ability to create an effective learning environment and interact effectively with people from different cultures and experiences; ability to lead and work with cross-cultural environments
- An awareness about difference and how it can expand teaching practices and student success
- An ability to learn from and build on varying cultural and community norms of students and their families
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.
Physical Demands:
Physical requirements are consistent with light physical duties required of teachers generally. The school is spread out across five buildings, covering multiple blocks in downtown Portland, so teachers may have to move between buildings during five-minute passing periods or attend meetings around campus. The school does not provide parking for staff members, so metered street or lot parking may be needed.
Interested candidates can find instructions for applying for this position on the Careers at Northwest Academy and reply to Careers@nwacademy.org.
Northwest Academy is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to welcoming and celebrating a diverse student and faculty population. We believe every employee has the right to work in an environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination. It is the policy of the school that employment decisions for all applicants and employees will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other characteristics protected under local, state, or federal law. No employee will be retaliated against for raising concerns under this policy. We seek each employee’s contribution and assistance in helping us maintain equal employment opportunity.
Location
Portland, Oregon
Opportunity Region
Local
Commitment
Part-Time
Contact Email
careers@nwacademy.org