Careers

2023 - 2024 Open Positions

The Dahlia School of San Francisco offers an authentic, international, Montessori Spanish Language curriculum with the goal of bringing peace, joy and global-mindedness to the world through the child. The Dahlia is the flower of San Francisco, and as an intentionally diverse community, we believe that every child is a flower of this great city. As a community school, we are committed to each child’s best development as well as equity and inclusion. Here are the status of open positions at The Dahlia School of San Francisco.

  • Music Program Leader

  • French Speaking Montessori Assistant Guide

Music Program Leader

Beginning Late Summer / Early Fall 2023

Are you a benevolent Music teacher and leader with a thirst for social justice and an entrepreneurial drive interested in working and or living in San Francisco? The Dahlia School of San Francisco in San Francisco, CA seeks a Music Teacher Leader to lead a music school within our elementary school campus for our own students as well as students across the community.

The music school would offer weekly to bi-weekly classes and lessons for our children ages 5-12 years old. And potentially a visit to our preschool every now and then as well. This part-time role includes designating class hours for the Dahlia students as well as having a vibrant weekend program for the community. The role has the potential to grow depending on how the Music Program Leader shapes it considering the needs and characteristics of the community. We currently have a piano and would love to partner with the selected music teacher leader partner to determine which other instruments to acquire.

Who We Are

The Dahlia School of San Francisco offers an authentic, international, Montessori Spanish Language curriculum with the goal of bringing peace, joy and global- mindedness to the world through the child. The Dahlia is the flower of San Francisco, and as an intentionally diverse community, we believe that every child is a flower of this great city. As a community school, we are committed to each child’s best development as well as equity and inclusion.

Mission Bay is a neighborhood that offers quality of living and an easy commute to families who work in San Francisco and in Silicon Valley. This is also a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse neighborhood that offers 30% affordable housing. This beautiful neighborhood also offers tutoring, non profit programs and fitness programs owned and directed by minority women instructors. Mission Bay has been developed to connect and serve the community, and examples of these are the parks, social spaces (like food truck park), community garden, public library and athletic fields. Lastly, Mission Bay has been called a breeding ground for ideas, as it is the home to large research and philanthropic organizations.

As a Wildflower School, we support children, teachers, and parents giving all families the opportunity to choose high-quality education in beautiful learning environments as they follow life’s unfolding journey.

The Dahlia School of San Francisco, is an equitable, Spanish Immersion Montessori school currently serving children ages 18 months to 7 years old in Mission Bay and opened in 2021. It now serves 42 children. Our preschool for children 18 months to 6 years old is located at 116 Channel Street and our elementary for children 5 to 12 years old is located at 1245 4th Street.

Our Network

The Dahlia School of San Francisco is part of Wildflower Schools, a network of 1-3 room, teacher-led, authentic Montessori learning environments serving children from infancy through high school. The Wildflower model combines time-tested Montessori methods with promising new practices in family partnership, teacher empowerment, and intentional diversity. At Wildflower, we believe that embracing equity is an essential part of our work. We are committed to deeply engaging in what Maria Montessori called “the preparation of self” as it pertains to understanding our implicit biases, blind spots, and prejudices.

How We Work

The Wildflower network is decentralized and nonhierarchical, rooted deeply in our values of Connectedness and Growth; our norms of Anti-Bias Anti-Racist and Unity, Autonomy with Support, and Awareness and Compassion; and our purpose and principles that guide our schools’ design. To learn more about the ideas that drive us, check out How We Work as a part of the Wildflower Community.

Your Role

Starting in partnership with Teacher Leaders from The Dahlia School of San Francisco Elementary program, the responsibilities of the “Founding Music Teacher Leader” may include, but are not limited to:

  • Music School Start-up Journey

    • Lead vision setting for music program (class experiences, performances, guest artists) with support bringing it to life from fellow teaching team

    • Dedicating 0-2 hours of paid consulting work per week leading up to July 2023 when music school opens on school start-up tasks such as music school vision, site visit, advice on class schedule, student ages, communications for the program, and purchase of instruments and equipment. Much of this consulting phase can be done remotely.

    • Plan to start 20 - 25 hours per week, July 17, 2023 or as close to that date as possible.

  • Teaching

    • Teaching children using practices infused with anti-bias, anti-racist practice.

    • Maintaining progress documentation for each student to be shared with families and fellow teacher leaders.

    • Participating in relevant professional development as liberatory leaders and co-teachers

  • Family Engagement & Support

    • Communicating with families (student progress, performances, would love for this leader to perform at the annual gala)

  • School Operations

    • Co-creating the music school calendar and routine with The Dahlia School Teacher Leaders, based on children and space abilities, community and school needs

    • Opportunity to organize shows and performances at the school and in the community

  • Requirements

    • Valid Music Teaching Credential or willing to pursue Valid Music Teaching Credential

    • Knowledge of subject matter, including State Standards and subject-specific frameworks

    • Knowledge of child cognitive development and various learning styles

    • At least 14 hours spent teaching classes to children in the community on weekends and after 3pm on weekdays

    • Fully vaccinated for COVID-19

    • English speaking

  • Bonus Qualifications

    • Spanish or French speaking

    • 1+ year working with students as a teacher, teacher intern, or teaching assistant preferred

    • School administration experience 

    • Ability and willingness to reflect and improve instructional practices

Mindset

  • Collaborative: You are excited about the idea of co-leading a music school and developing a strong partnership with your co-leaders

  • Entrepreneurial: You are flexible, open-minded, see opportunity in obstacles, and are energized by using creativity and resourcefulness to create solutions to problems.

  • Operational: You are a self-starter willing to support different aspects of small school operations, which may range from music instruction to joining children for lunch on a normal school day to watering plants.

  • Committed to Equity: You are eager to expand access to quality early education for racially and socioeconomically diverse communities; you are ready to engage in anti-bias, anti-racist self-work and community-work.

  • Generous: You live with kindness, practice gratitude and lead with love. You seek advice openly and are comfortable working in a non-hierarchical organization.

  • Growth Oriented: You are eager to stretch beyond your current experience, to develop new skills and expertise, and to more fully explore your purpose and potential.

Hours & Benefits

This begins as a part-time position. Salary is commensurate with experience, performance of the school program, particularly with regards to enrollment, fundraising and budget. Example salary ranges for this position could be:

  • $37.50 - $75.00 per hour depending on experience, music school enrollment, group sizes, revenue generated by the school

The role would offer Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance (for hours greater than 30 hours per week), opportunities for ongoing professional development, and connection to the wider Wildflower community and support.

Learn More
Send a summary of your experience and description of your interests to The Dahlia School Teacher Leaders Lindsey Barnes, David Hernández and Alejandra Tryon at hello@thedahliaschoolsf.org. Members of the Global Majority are strongly encouraged to inquire.

French-Speaking Montessori Assistant Guide

Beginning Late Summer / Early Fall 2023

We are seeking a dedicated, benevolent Assistant Teacher who is passionate about equity, diversity, community building, teacher leadership and child and family support. You will support the Elementary Classroom mostly (5-12 year olds), however time and a position in the Primary Classroom (3-6 year olds) may also be available or needed.

Benefits:

  • $29 hourly salary with competitive benefits. 

  • Professional development opportunities.

  • Rest and lunch breaks as mandated by the state of California and up to one hour for lunch.

  • Bottomless coffee/tea and lunch provided.

  • Opportunity to join an established and supportive team.

  • Diverse, inclusive community that supports each teacher in his or her individual needs.

  • Beautiful neighborhood where you can find all resources and activities within walking distance.

  • Staff wellness events on Professional Development Days and throughout the year.

Responsibilities:

  • Starting as early as August 1, 2022 and no later than August 9, 2022.

  • Position may be part-time or full-time

  • Must be willing to work until 6pm Monday through Thursday and 5pm on Fridays

  • Speaks and teaches in French at all times with children in elementary, Spanish or English in primary. 

  • Receives and greets classroom visitors.

  • Supports other teachers' breaks. 

  • Offers necessary support in either classroom and with school administration. 

  • Leads extended care hours from 3-6pm.

  • Maintains a clean classroom and school in partnership with all staff and cleaning support

  • Acts as a substitute in order to assure adequate coverage for school site.

  • Administers first aid, provides health office coverage and dispenses approved medication to students in accordance with EMSA First Aid/CPR training.

  • Operates a variety of office equipment including a classroom mobile phone, Ipad, school copier, fax machine, two-way radio, computer and assigned software. 

Ideal Candidate:

  • Experience in a Montessori classroom is ideal but not required.

  • Interest in furthering her or his Montessori career by taking Montessori training in the future.

  • Bilingual French and English (Native French speakers encouraged to apply)

  • Believes in the unique human potential of each child, and recognizes the impact and connection of each child in the world.

  • Passionate about the value of Montessori education in the service of equity, diverse communities and social justice.

  • Demonstrates initiative, flexibility and open mindedness, along with the willingness to be part of a community that learns and grows together.

Candidate Requirements:

  • Physically able to:

    • Stand up 95% of the classroom hours and lift up to 40 pounds

    • Guide classroom and children on outdoor excursions and field trips

    • Bend, stoop and sit for various tasks throughout the day

    • Assume postures in low level positions that best allow physical and visual contact with children

    • Move from a seated position to a standing position promptly to respond to emergency situations

    • Perform all activities with children, i.e. jump, dance, walk, run, etc. for extended periods of time

  • Must be able to sustain a high level of energy

  • Must possess acceptable hearing and visual capabilities in order to monitor the environment and children’s well being

  • Our school embraces nature, outdoors and adult guided “going out.” May be required to be outdoors and push children in up to six child buggies for regular, prolonged activities.

Interested applicants may send a resume and cover letter to Alejandra Tryon and Lindsey Barnes at hello@thedahliaschoolsf.org.