Job Description

Summary of the Position

Silicon Valley International School seeks a German-speaking Primary Years Programme (PYP) Teacher to cover a half-year leave of absence beginning in December. The teacher will join our Elementary School team and create an engaging, supportive classroom where students develop as curious, confident learners.

In this role, the teacher will plan and deliver inquiry-based lessons aligned with the PYP curriculum, adapt instruction to students’ ages and learning needs, and assess and document their progress. The teacher will foster students’ academic and social development, encourage them to ask questions and think independently, and collaborate with colleagues and families to support each child’s growth. The role also includes helping students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need for the transition to middle school.

Who are we?

Our Mission

Silicon Valley International School’s focus on inquiry and bilingualism empowers young minds to embrace complexity, think critically from multiple perspectives, and demonstrate integrity and sensitivity across cultures.

Our Guiding Principles 

(1) We emphasize inquiry-based learning to foster intellectual curiosity and encourage depth of knowledge and thought.
(2) We focus on academic depth and rigor, instilling confidence to tackle the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
(3) We celebrate diversity on a daily basis through our bilingual immersion programs and our commitment to the IB learner profile.
(4) We are honest, respectful, inclusive, and we take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.
(5) We pursue service and impact whenever and wherever we are.

Our C.O.R.E. Values

Community: We respect, support, and collaborate to achieve results greater than we could ever reach individually.
Openness: We appreciate different cultures and perspectives by communicating honestly and without bias.
Resilience: We accept challenges, commit to overcoming them, and learn from our mistakes.
Empathy: We strive to understand each other and to treat everyone with care and kindness.

Typical work activities include :

• Teaching core subjects in German within the PYP Framework.

• Following the guidelines and mission of Silicon Valley International School (INTL) and the International Baccalaureate PYP program
• Work closely with the PYP coordinator, Academic Dean, and PYP colleagues to design and implement a relevant, challenging, and rigorous curriculum across the program.
• Create inquiry-based lessons that foster critical thinking skills, knowledge, and a range of skills within a multicultural environment 
• Organizing the classroom and learning resources to create a positive learning environment
• Motivating students with enthusiastic engagement and respectful interactions
• Utilizes various instructional skills and methods; varies instructional modes to accommodate student needs and ability levels.
• Managing student behavior and making sure every student is able to learn
• Preparing, documenting, evaluating, and communicating to facilitate positive student development
• Develop appropriate assessment tasks, providing feedback on the student's progress, parent meetings, report cards
• Collaborating with others to plan and coordinate work, liaising with colleagues, and working flexibly
• Other duties as required to perform the job

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently:

• Stand for extended periods of time
• Communicate clearly and effectively with students and colleagues
• Lift and/or move up to 40 pounds
• Crouch, kneel, bend, balance, stoop, stretch, twist, reach, and move comfortably to interact with and supervise students
• Use hands and fingers to grasp, manipulate, or assemble small objects
• Read and see details of objects at varying distances and distinguish between colors

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education and minimum 2 years of teaching experience required; master's degree preferred
• OR First and Second State Examination (Staatsexamen) or similar degree 
• Authorization to work in the United States or ability to meet requirements for sponsored J-1 teacher exchange visa
• Native German speaker
• Proficiency in English to communicate with parents and colleagues, understand curriculum, and write report cards
• Experience with teaching in the IB-PYP framework preferred but not required

Compensation and benefits

Our compensation is based on education and years of experience. The salary range for a full-time teaching position for the 2026-2027 school year is $83,403 (BA Step 3) to $126,672 (PhD Step 23).  (Note: Compensation for this position will be prorated based on the half-year duration of the maternity cover).

We offer an excellent and comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for the employee only
• Employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, life insurance, and an employee assistance program 
• 10 days of paid sick leave
• 2 days paid time off 
• 7 days of paid holidays during the school year
• Summer break and 5 weeks of school breaks during the school year
• Professional development tailored to teacher needs/interests and aligned with school mission 
• 403(b) retirement plan with a generous employer match after 2 years of service

(Note: The above compensation and benefits are applicable to full-time employees; exact eligibility for short-term/temporary contracts may vary).

We’d love to hear from you!

If you are excited about this opportunity, please submit your résumé and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and how your experience aligns with the role. We look forward to learning more about you.

If you have difficulties submitting your resume, please send resumes to this email address.  employment@svintl.org. 

Silicon Valley International School is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and makes employment decisions based on merit.  INTL prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic characteristic or information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. INTL will afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees as to all terms and conditions of employment, including without limitation, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, transfer, discipline, and termination.

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