2026-27 2nd Grade Lead 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 and is one of California’s leading elementary schools with a 115-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. Burke’s emphasizes the development of fundamental and higher-level critical thinking skills in an atmosphere of creativity, exploration, academic rigor, and joyful learning. 

Position Summary

We are looking for an experienced teacher who creates a joyful classroom culture that supports deep thinking and both academic and social emotional learning. An ideal candidate would be dynamic, interested in learning and growing as a professional, willing and able to collaborate with colleagues, and experienced in best practices. Burke’s has a Teaching Institute, and each K-4 teacher is responsible for mentoring an Associate Teacher. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with colleagues to plan and teach second grade curriculum, including reading, writing, mathematics, and social studies.
• Create an inclusive classroom environment through explicit social emotional instruction, including regular class meetings, supportive exchanges with students, and clear expectations for community behavior using techniques from Responsive Classroom and Toolbox.
• Partner and communicate effectively with parents with support from the Director of Lower School in formal and informal conferences, written reports, newsletters/blogs, email, and phone communication
• Plan trips and special projects to support the second grade program
• Be a positive and contributing member of the professional community at Burke’s, including attending division and school meetings as appropriate.
• Demonstrate deep commitment to one’s own professional development

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.

• B.A degree and teaching credential or advanced degree 
• At least four years' experience leading a classroom
• Responsive Classroom philosophy and techniques
• Designing instruction that is student-centered, differentiated, and engaging
• Delivering social studies curriculum with a hands-on, developmentally appropriate, multiple perspectives approach
• Using assessments that drive and support learning
• Using technology to support teaching and learning
• Providing opportunities for learning through play, and inviting creativity, imagination, curiosity and tinkering into the classroom

Burke’s does not sponsor employment visas. Being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. 

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.

California Compliance Notice

In accordance with California law (Education Code §44939.5, as amended by SB 848), applicants for positions with educational institutions are required to disclose all current and former employment with California educational institutions. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of required employment verifications.

Compensation

Burke’s offers competitive compensation with a salary range of $71,500 - $153,800 based on years of experience, plus advanced degree stipends. A full complement of health benefits are available. More information about the school can be found on our website.