Upper School English Teacher for the Catalyst Program - Starting August 2026

Menlo School • Atherton, CA

7h • Onsite

About The Position

Menlo School seeks a passionate, innovative educator to join as a full-time Upper School English teacher in the Catalyst Semester program starting in August 2026. Catalyst is an exciting and immersive program that empowers juniors to develop leadership skills while tackling complex global challenges through an integrated, experiential, and interdisciplinary curriculum. The program’s primary focus is on case studies related to climate resilience and adaptation, combining rigorous academics with real-world problem-solving in partnership with Bay Area leaders and organizations. Catalyst operates as a school-within-the-school at Menlo, and serves a small cohort of up to approximately 18 students per semester. Given the highly collaborative and experiential nature of the program, faculty who serve in it should feel comfortable taking on not only classroom but also administrative and leadership roles; designing innovative and responsive curriculum; and working extremely closely with a tight-knit teaching team and ambitious, curious students. We encourage you to review the Catalyst program overview closely before applying.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree (master’s or higher preferred).
• 4-5 years of teaching experience, preferably at the secondary or university level.
• Demonstrated experience designing innovative curriculum and authentic and/or interdisciplinary assessments.
• Expertise in case-study-based teaching, project-based learning, or interdisciplinary curriculum development.
• Experience with and/or passion for experiential learning
• Skill in differentiating to both scaffold and extend student learning, particularly in high-achieving populations
• Leadership experience in teaching teams, program development, or administrative roles.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience co-teaching or designing cross-curricular connections
• Interest in systems thinking and sustainability, and a commitment to experiential learning.
• Enthusiasm for mentoring and supporting students’ individual growth as leaders.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and comfort working in a dynamic and evolving program.
• A demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with all students: they actively cultivate environments in which students feel included, challenged, and known

Responsibilities

• Teach up to 18 students in your subject area per semester, including differentiating within the same classroom for any students who elect into the Honors option.
• Support the Leadership Seminar by mentoring a small group of students (3-5) in social-emotional skills, self-reflection, and leadership development.
• Coordinate Leadership Seminar activities, as necessary, with guest speakers and alumni mentors.
• Co-teach interdisciplinary lessons or projects, collaborating closely with fellow faculty members. This may include blending class periods/lessons with another faculty member or leading a workshop in another teacher’s class period.
• Design and teach a curriculum that integrates your subject expertise with themes of leadership, sustainability, and systems thinking.
• Develop innovative, cross-disciplinary capstone projects that provide students opportunities for authentic feedback.
• Guide students through fieldwork, case studies, and hands-on projects across the Bay Area.
• Regularly observe and reflect on colleagues’ teaching practices to foster collaborative growth.
• Lead in a core administrative role, in addition to teaching, such as, but not limited to, ensuring excellent outcomes in student life and culture, student support, communications and outreach, admissions and recruitment, academics, and/or off-campus experiences.
• Collaborate with Catalyst faculty to design interdisciplinary learning experiences aligned with program themes.
• Participate in ongoing program refinement and contribute to the program’s evolution.
• Build relationships with industry partners, subject matter experts, and community organizations to support curriculum goals.
• Organize and lead weekly off-campus learning experiences with Bay Area professionals and organizations.
• Plan and lead a 3-day overnight retreat at the start of each semester.
• Recruit and host guest speakers for on-campus learning experiences and student mentorship.
• Mentor students in their academic and personal growth, providing regular, constructive feedback to develop leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Serve as an advisor to up to five students, supporting their holistic growth throughout the program.
• Participate in student recruitment events, such as open houses and shadow days, to attract prospective Catalyst participants.
• Support the application process by reading applications, conducting interviews, and answering prospective students’ questions.
• Engage actively in the broader Menlo School community, attending faculty meetings, school events, and other activities as needed.

Benefits

• An exceptional work environment and caring community
• Highly competitive salary
• A comprehensive benefits package, including generous contributions to a retirement plan for eligible employees and their families.
• Learn more by going to https://www.menloschool.org/employment-benefits.php.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time