Associate Teacher (TK)

Khan Lab School • Palo Alto, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Teacher at Khan Lab School is an educator who brings a strong commitment to working with elementary-aged children, a collaborative mindset, and a willingness to continuously learn and grow. This role blends instructional support and independent teaching, including providing small-group academic and social-emotional support, assisting with classroom instruction and management, and planning and facilitating classes. The Associate Teacher plays a key role in creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for students while ensuring continuity between the school day and Extended Day program. Working closely with the Lower School team, the Associate Teacher contributes to a dynamic, student-centered learning environment that emphasizes active learning, real-world application, and differentiated instruction. This role requires adaptability, initiative, and strong collaboration, including stepping in as a substitute teacher, supporting assessment and student progress, communicating with families, and contributing to the broader school community. The Associate Teacher is a reflective practitioner who is energized by working in an evolving school environment and is eager to support student growth while contributing meaningfully to the life of Khan Lab School.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Prior elementary teaching experience.
• Understanding and support of Khan Lab School’s core values, mission, and vision.
• A passion for working with elementary students and a keen understanding of where they are developmentally.
• Knowledge and experience using Khan Academy for instruction, when applicable.
• Commitment to inquiry-based, project-based learning, and other progressive pedagogies
• Prior experience analyzing student data and using a variety of assessment techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all constituents.
• Flexibility to shift and take on a variety of tasks, as the lab school continues to grow and change.
• Ability to reflect on effectiveness of own practice, respond well to feedback, and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push and pull up to 25 pounds as some regular organizational tasks 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 of occasionally moving about inside 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 calculators, 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, nights, or 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.
• Ability to properly communicate information and ideas so other people can understand as well as the ability to ascertain and understand information communicated from others.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and small-group academic support to students (grade TK), addressing academic and social-emotional needs.
• Support classroom teachers and advisors in finding ways to help students succeed.
• Deliver small-group instruction and collaborate with colleagues on lesson planning and instructional development.
• Partner with the lead TK Specialist to support their execution of the vision of the program
• Support teachers with assessment, preparation of class materials, and classroom management.
• Serve as a substitute teacher when the lead TK Specialist is absent.
• Respond to student concerns with compassionate, developmentally appropriate interventions that promote resilience and well-being.
• Support the successful transition of students from the main school day into the Extended Day program.
• Support the Extended Day program by supervising students and providing a safe, supportive environment during recess and snack time.
• Maintain regular communication with students, families, teachers, and other professionals about student progress.
• Support the preparation of students for their Student-Led Conferences.
• Facilitate classes with an emphasis on active learning and real-world contexts, minimizing direct instruction.
• Primarily utilize methods such as think-pair-share, experiential learning, case studies, peer teaching, independent studies, and inquiry-based learning.
• Leverage assessment data to inform instruction, provide timely feedback to students, and complete progress reports by identified deadlines.
• Utilize external instructional resources , including Khan Academy, to accommodate diverse learning needs and backgrounds for in-person courses.
• Collaborate with school leadership to identify materials.
• Develop curriculum and learning experiences aligned with the KLS teaching vision.
• Identify, select, and modify instructional resources to meet the needs of students with varying backgrounds, learning styles, and learning needs in collaboration with the school leadership and as approved by the Executive Director.
• Actively explore and stay current with emerging technologies, including AI tools, and apply them meaningfully to your role.
• Create an inclusive environment where students of diverse backgrounds and political perspectives feel welcome, fostering critical thinking through thoughtful questioning.
• Work collaboratively with the Lower School team to support student learning and contribute to the ongoing development of the school.
• Fulfill duties as assigned by the Lower School Director, such as playground supervision.
• Be accessible to students for interaction and support.
• Write letters of recommendation for summer and school programs, as requested.
• Attend faculty meetings and participate in professional development , including team meetings, departmental meetings, and any schoolwide professional development programming.
• Serve as a faculty ambassador for the Admissions team during our re-enrollment and admissions period. This includes Pre-Admission events and Post Application Events; these events may take place outside of school hours.
• Uphold professional and ethical standards in all interactions within the school community.
• Participate in activities that contribute to the life and culture of KLS, to be determined in collaboration with the Lower School Director. This could include participating in and planning school events or facilitating a student club.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• a 401K retirement plan with an employer match
• basic life insurance
• short-term and long-term disability insurance
• generous paid time off including paid holidays, sick time, and floating holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level