MS​/US Language Department: Chinese Teacher; Leave Replacement - Semester

Overview

Riverdale Country School, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent all-gender school in New York City, is dedicated to inspiring students to live meaningful and purpose-driven lives. The school achieves this by fostering a culture of academic excellence, critical thinking, and curiosity, supported by a diverse and inclusive community. Riverdale emphasizes both high challenge and high support in its approach to education, encouraging students to engage deeply in interdisciplinary learning, research, and experiential education, both inside and outside the classroom and beyond our campuses.

This holistic approach aims to develop well-rounded individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on the world.

At Riverdale, we strive to reflect the diversity of the New York metropolitan area in our students, faculty, and staff. We believe that a diverse and inclusive community enriches the educational experience and is integral to our mission. With a student body of approximately 1,300 students from 117 different zip codes, Riverdale is a vibrant community where 48% of our students identify as students of color.

We seek to employ educators and leaders who bring a student-centered approach, passion for their work, a commitment to DEIB, and a desire to contribute to the growth and development of our entire school community.

Riverdale’s Language Department seeks an enthusiastic and collegial teacher of Mandarin Chinese, with native or near-native fluency, who can teach a wide range of students from the novice to advanced levels in both Middle and Upper School. This is a Leave Replacement position running from December 2025 to approximately April 2026. Our curriculum aims to progressively and continuously develop students’ language proficiency, understood as the interrelation of Linguistic Mastery, (Inter) cultural Competency, and Communication Skills.

Within that framework, students learn about how language and culture fundamentally shape the ways in which we see ourselves and our world, as well as how to navigate otherness and respectfully consider diverse perspectives and practices. Our ideal candidate demonstrates a strong disposition toward collaboration and ongoing professional learning, a commitment to holistic student support, and a passion for language learning, world cultures, and engaging with global perspectives.

Our Mandarin Chinese program is fully taught in the target language, and includes entry points for both Middle School (Chinese
6) and Upper School (Chinese I) students. Our website offers a complete overview of our Middle School and Upper School Language curriculum.

Riverdale is an inclusive community dedicated to creating a sense of belonging for all students and staff. Our hiring practices reflect this commitment, and we seek collegial candidates eager to expand this work in the classroom, in the curriculum, and in the pedagogical principles of the department.

• Native or near-Native fluency in Mandarin Chinese
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field of study
• At least two years of Language teaching experience, with demonstrated ability to effectively develop students’ oral, written, and intercultural competencies through authentic, communication-based engagement with the language.
• Demonstrated collegiality, collaboration, teamwork, and organization
• Intentionally builds and sustains an inclusive learning environment for all students
• Ability to apply varied teaching strategies and resources to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Flexible and growth-oriented mindset
• Fluency in the effective use of educational technologies

$74,545 - $147,199 a year

To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter. If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website.

• Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs…