Middle School Spanish Specialist

About Khan Lab School

Khan Lab School, founded by Sal Khan in 2014, is an innovative K-12 independent school with 3 campuses, serving over 260 students in Silicon Valley, CA and Wichita, KS. Our Lower School (grades TK-5) is in Palo Alto, CA, our Middle and Upper Schools (grades 6-12) are in Mountain View, CA, and the newest KLS campus (grades 4-9) in Wichita, KS.

We were established to test and refine the educational vision outlined in Sal Khan's 2012 book, "The One World Schoolhouse," which explores the development of modern education, the origins of Khan Academy, and a forward-thinking approach to both in-person and online learning.

Building on this foundation, Sal Khan's latest book, "Brave New Words," further expands on his educational philosophy and vision for the future. At Khan Lab School, we're committed to implementing these innovative ideas and preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving knowledge economy.

The Spanish Specialist position requires a seasoned teacher with experience at either the Middle School or High School level. A background in mastery-based learning is preferred, but not essential. The Middle School students are pursuing an advanced course of study, completing both High School Level 1 and Level 2 Spanish by the end of their 8th grade year.

The Spanish Specialist partners with the Middle School Director and Middle School faculty to not only teach a rigorous, mastery-based curriculum, but also guide students in their social and emotional development by contributing to the broader life of the school as an advisor, and through participation in school-sponsored activities and events.

Academic Duties

• Teach a minimum of 16 hours per week of middle school level Spanish courses, as assigned by the Middle School Director, making efficient use of existing materials and tools.
• Clearly outline and document the course curriculum and all assignments, using the school's Learning Management System (LMS), Canvas. Use internal materials, and external resources such as Khan Academy, when applicable.
• Participate in regular Canvas course reviews.
• Lead advisory sessions for a group of students, focusing on academic progress, extracurricular activities, college goals, daily practices in mindfulness, character development, and executive functioning skills.
• 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.
• Other related job duties, as assigned.

Teaching & Vision Alignment

• 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’s leadership and founder.
• Integrate emerging technology into the classroom appropriately, including AI tools relevant to each discipline.
• Create an inclusive environment where students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome, fostering critical thinking through thoughtful questioning.

Contribution to KLS

• Chaperone a school-sponsored trip during Intersession, which may include up to five nights of an overnight stay.
• Fulfill all duties, as assigned by the Middle School Director, such as lunch and goal time supervision.
• Be accessible to the 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. This includes, at minimum, 6-8 hours for pre-admission events (Open House, Preview Days, and Shadow Days) and 10 hours of post-application events (student visits, observations, and…