Middle School Humanities Specialist

Khan Lab School • Mountain View, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Khan Lab School is seeking an experienced Middle School Humanities Specialist with a strong background in mastery-based learning. This role involves teaching a rigorous curriculum, facilitating active learning experiences, and guiding students in their social and emotional development. The specialist will partner with the Middle School Director and teaching team, contribute to the broader school life through participation in activities, admissions, and meetings, and guide students in the advisory program. The position emphasizes active learning, real-world contexts, and leveraging assessment data to inform instruction. The specialist will also explore and apply emerging technologies, including AI tools, and create an inclusive environment that fosters critical thinking. Contributions to the school include participating in student orientation, chaperoning trips, serving as a faculty ambassador for admissions, writing letters of recommendation, and leading activities that enhance school life and culture. Attendance at all faculty meetings and professional development sessions is expected.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Prior middle or high school teaching experience is required.
• Expertise in teaching curricula from an introductory level to an advanced concepts.
• Understanding and support of Khan Lab School’s core values, mission, and vision.
• A passion for working with middle school students and an 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 while able to communicate effectively and respectfully.
• Flexibility to shift and take on a variety of tasks as the school continues to grow and change.
• Ability to reflect on one’s own effectiveness, respond well to feedback, and adjust instruction accordingly.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push and pull up to 25 pounds.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Ideal candidates will have an academic background in middle school education.

Responsibilities

• Teach a minimum of 16 hours per week of middle school level subject-area courses.
• Return student work in a timely manner, within 5 days.
• Clearly outline and document the course curriculum including the syllabus, all assignments, and assessments at the beginning of Term 1 using the school's Learning Management System (LMS) Canvas.
• Design and teach elective courses (2 hours per week) during the fall, winter and spring Exploratory sessions.
• Facilitate advisory and life skills lab sessions for a group of students, focusing on academic progress, extracurricular and college goals, and daily practices in mindfulness, character development, and executive functioning skills.
• Lead elective offerings during the fall, winter and spring sessions.
• Maintain regular communication with students, families, teachers, and other professionals about student progress and submit progress reports by the due date at the end of each term.
• Prepare students to participate in student-led parent-teacher conferences.
• Facilitate classes with an emphasis on active learning and real-world contexts, minimizing direct instruction.
• Utilize methods such as think-pair-share, experiential learning, case studies, role-playing, and peer teaching.
• Support student-driven passions and interests through the Applied Learning Program.
• Leverage assessment data to inform instruction, provide timely feedback to students, and complete progress reports by identified deadlines.
• 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 founder.
• 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 perspectives feel welcome, fostering critical thinking through thoughtful questioning.
• Participate in student orientation for 6th-8th graders, which may include up to three days of overnight stay.
• Chaperone a trip during Intersession, which may include up to five nights of overnight stay.
• Fulfill duties as assigned by the Middle School Director, such as lunch and goal time supervision.
• Be accessible to students throughout the school day for interaction, office hours, and support.
• Serve as a faculty ambassador for the Admissions team during our re-enrollment and admissions period in the Fall and Spring.
• Write letters of recommendation for summer and school programs, as requested.
• Lead at least one activity each year that contributes to the life and culture of KLS, to be determined in collaboration with the Middle School Director at the start of the school year.
• Attend all faculty meetings and participate in professional development, including morning meetings, and any scheduled professional development programming (including Faculty In-service).
• Attend community meetings and other culture-building experiences alongside students.
• Participate in community events such as the middle school dinner, moving up day, annual fundraiser, group field trips, and other related activities.
• Uphold professional and ethical standards in all interactions within the school community.

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: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees