2025-26 Lower School Associate Teacher

About Burke’s

Burke's is an independent K-8 gender-inclusive all-girls’ school located on a 3.5-acre campus in San Francisco. Burke’s is one of California’s leading elementary schools with a 116-year tradition of educational excellence. Our mission is to educate, encourage, and empower girls. The school combines strong academic and co-curricular programs with an emphasis on project-based learning and personal growth in a diverse and inclusive community. We emphasize the development of fundamental and higher-level critical thinking skills in an atmosphere of creativity, exploration, academic rigor, and joyful learning.

Position Description

Burke’s Teaching Institute is a two-year program that provides on-campus training for our Associate Teachers. Through regular pedagogical workshops, we provide Associate Teachers with information about teaching methods, curriculum development, assessment, and classroom management skills. Examples of recent Teaching Institute topics and discussions include: Social-Emotional Life of Girls, Exploring Anti-Racist Curriculum and System Inequalities, Supporting Diverse Learning Styles, Responsive Classroom Philosophy and Strategies, and Preparing Resumes and Interview Skills. In addition, each year we choose a book to examine closely. Some titles we have read are Limitless Mind (Boaler), Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain (Hammond), Through Other Eyes (Skolnick, Dulberg & Maestre), and Identity Safe Classrooms (Steele & Cohn-Vargas).

Associate Teachers are partnered with Lead Teachers who play a vital role in helping the Associate develop teaching skills. By observing and working with our experienced teachers and participating in the life of the school, Associates gain valuable experience as well as opportunities to develop their own philosophy and teaching style.

The Associate Teaching position is a 2-year position. Burke’s has one Associate Teaching position in each Lower School classroom. Having Associate Teachers allows us to increase the small group attention that we offer in our Lower School classrooms and to provide opportunities for people interested in becoming educators to experience working in a K-8 independent school. In addition, Associate Teachers are expected to be enrolled in a credential or masters program by the beginning of their second year.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Classroom Teacher, including planning, teaching, assessing, managing the classroom, and communicating with families
• Maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning, at the direction of and in partnership with the Lead Classroom Teacher
• Participate in supervision of students across grade levels, including recess, lunch, and dismissal duties
• Actively participate in Burke’s Teaching Institute program 
• Perform the responsibilities of the Lead Teacher Position during a Lead Teacher absence
• Participate in regular meetings to support the work of the classroom, student learning and behavior, and the broader work of the school

Qualifications & Skills

Below are the personal and professional qualities that we believe are important for the success of the person in this role. Unless specifically noted as a prerequisite for the role, these qualifications and skills are preferred. We know many candidates bring a full complement of experience, skills, and ideas, even if they don’t check every box of a job description. If you meet many of our criteria, please don’t hesitate to apply. Every application gets serious consideration, including those with skill sets that we may not have included here. We welcome all applicants who will bring a unique perspective and personal characteristics to our amazing team.

• A responsible, mature, nurturing, enthusiastic, and dedicated person with a strong desire to teach in a first through fourth grade classroom
• Undergraduate degree, with a commitment to pursue a teaching credential or masters degree within the two years at Burke’s
• Possess strength in and commitment to girls’ and social justice education
• Prior classroom experience or a background in child development
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience partnering with other members of a school community to support student learning
• Effective time management skills
• A growth mindset with a commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth
• Self-motivated with a strong initiative to take on responsibilities

• Eligible for immediate employment in the United States. Burke’s does not sponsor visa applications for AT candidates.

Compensation

Associate Teachers positions are full-time paid on an hourly basis. The pay rate per hour for a first year AT is $30.05, equal to annual pay of $62,500. Associate Teachers are paid overtime for work after contracted hours. The potential overtime paid on average for a school year is $3,700. A stipend is granted to those with an advanced degree. Comprehensive benefits are provided. More information about the school can be found on the website at www.Burkes.org. 

To Apply

Interested candidates may apply by sending a cover letter, resumé, and three references, at least one from a professional setting, to burkes.workable.com. If you are missing a cover letter, the application will not be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Burke’s is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. School policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.