Job Description

WELCOME TO MASTERMINDS PALO ALTO

A new kind of school is coming to Palo Alto—a K–8 accelerated microschool distinctly tailored to each child's unique needs and aspirations. Inspired by the successful Masterminds model in Dubai, our mission is to create an educational experience that blends academic excellence with real-world learning and community connection. 

Our school is a basecamp for exploration, turning the entire Bay Area — with its rich cultural landscape, pioneering spirit of science and innovation, and endless opportunities for adventure, from tennis and golf to sailing and hiking — into our field of study, work, and play. 

This is a rare opportunity to join as a founding faculty member and help shape a dynamic learning environment from the ground up. You’ll work alongside a team that values creativity, courage, and community, building a program that empowers children to think deeply, solve real problems, and love their learning journey. This is a foundational role, with potential to grow into a school leadership position as Masterminds expands to multiple locations in the Bay Area.  

WHAT MAKES MASTERMINDS DIFFERENT

At Masterminds, we believe education should be an adventure — one that challenges, excites, and prepares students for the real world. Our school is built on a few core pillars: 

• Accelerated, Mastery-Based Learning: Small class sizes and personalized instruction enable rapid academic growth while ensuring students engage deeply with every subject. 
• Real-World Integration: Our campus is a home base, but learning extends far beyond its walls. Students explore parks, museums, libraries, and local landmarks, embedding their studies in authentic experiences. 
• Holistic Enrichment: From philosophy in mathematics to Shakespeare in literature, from structural engineering to lab science, our curriculum sparks curiosity across a broad spectrum of disciplines. 
• Global Standards, Local Impact: We draw on international best practices and over 60 years of research in child development, blending high academic standards with a warm, community-rooted approach. 

POSITION OVERVIEW  

This is a dual-role opportunity ideal for an experienced primary educator with strong organizational and leadership skills. You will: 

• Teach English language arts, social studies, writing, and cultural literacy to students in K–8. 
• Provide academic leadership across the microschool, ensuring strong personalized learning plans and progress monitoring. 
• Collaborate closely with fellow faculty and school leadership to co-create a new school culture, maintain instructional excellence, and align to student outcomes. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Teaching & Learning  

• Deliver engaging, high-quality English and humanities instruction aligned with mastery-based learning principles. 
• Design and adapt lessons to meet diverse student needs in a small-group setting. 
• Integrate writing, reading comprehension, grammar, social studies, and oral expression into creative, inquiry-based experiences. 
• Connect classroom learning to real-world experiences in the local community. 

School Leadership & Administration  

• Support the development and implementation of individual learning plans for every student. 
• Coordinate with teachers to ensure alignment of schedules, pacing, and curriculum integration. 
• Lead student progress monitoring and reporting for families. 
• Manage day-to-day communications with families and community partners. 
• Contribute to teacher collaboration and academic planning sessions. 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Minimum 5 years of elementary teaching experience. Middle school experience is a plus.
• Strong experience in English language arts and social studies instruction. 
• Skilled in differentiated instruction and student-centered learning environments. 
• Experience working with high-expectation families and diverse learners. 
• Organized, adaptable, and passionate about high-impact education in small school settings. 
• Comfortable with administrative tasks and school leadership responsibilities. 
• Entrepreneurial spirit: eager to co-create a new school environment and wear multiple hats. 

COMPENSATION  

• $75,000–$85,000 (with flexibility for exceptional candidates based on experience and qualifications) 
• Health insurance, paid time off, and professional development support.

START DATE  

• Target start: June 2025 

HOW TO APPLY

Send your CV and a brief cover letter to: 

Michael Finnegan

michael.finnegan@mastermindsacademy.org 

Application Process:

• CV review & shortlisting 
• Employment application completion 
• Two interview rounds 
• Reference & background checks 

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