History and Research Teacher

Job Title: History and Research Teacher

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Reports To: Dean of History

Salary range: $83,900 - $120,980 

Start Date: August 1, 2026

FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt

About The Kehillah School

The Kehillah School is an innovative, independent high school rooted in Jewish values and open to students of all backgrounds. Located in Palo Alto, CA, we are committed to academic excellence, inclusion, and student well-being. 

Position Summary

Are you a passionate and experienced teacher of History, Social Sciences, and Research Studies looking for a rewarding opportunity to educate and inspire high school students? The Kehillah School in Palo Alto, California, is seeking a creative and innovative teacher to join our dynamic teaching community. 

This is an exciting time to join the History Department, as we have embarked on a substantial re-imagining of our core curriculum and expansion of our advanced elective offerings. As a teacher at Kehillah, you will be tasked with shaping our students’ critical thinking skills and fostering a love of history, social science, and research. We are particularly interested in candidates with a demonstrated interest in, knowledge of, and ability to teach the following courses: 

US History (2 sections)

The Modern Middle East

Advanced Research 

Important: The Advanced Research course will require an instructor with significant experience in performing research and presenting it both in writing and through live presentation. Students will pursue individualized projects in science, history, the arts, etc., so the instructor must design a curriculum that will teach general research skills, and then mentor students in their specific chosen study path.  

We embrace diversity in all its forms and welcome various backgrounds, religious beliefs, and perspectives to all who join our community. Our students thrive in a nurturing and inclusive environment that encourages personal growth and self-discovery. Join us in our commitment to academic excellence, character development, and creating a nurturing and inclusive environment. All classes are taught in person on our Palo Alto campus.

At Kehillah, we strive for excellence in education, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the unique qualities of each member of our community. Join our supportive teaching community, embrace collaboration and innovative pedagogy, and contribute to the academic and personal growth of our students. If you are passionate about teaching History and dedicated to creating a positive impact on the lives of students, we invite you to apply for this rewarding opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Curriculum Development and Instruction: Develop and implement engaging lesson plans that align with curricular standards and facilitate active learning; develop and maintain scope and sequence. Create clear objectives and utilize relevant technology to support and differentiate instruction, adapting teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of each student. 
• Assessment and Reporting: Assign and evaluate classwork and exams, providing timely feedback to students and communicate progress to parents and colleagues. Maintain accurate records of student attendance, grades, and other required documentation using platforms such as PowerSchool and Schoology.
• Collaboration and Professional Development: Collaborate with colleagues to evaluate and revise curricula, course content, and materials. Contribute to departmental, faculty, task force meetings, and initiatives. Provide detailed lesson plans when absent from school that includes homework assignments, and support colleagues by substitute teaching when needed. Actively participate in a year-long professional growth plan to continue refining your teaching practice, and attend professional development opportunities over the summer months, if applicable. Be flexible if sharing a classroom.
• Classroom Management: Utilize effective classroom management techniques, both in-person and in virtual settings, that fosters respect, collaboration, and student engagement. Create a conducive learning atmosphere that promotes academic achievement, personal responsibility, and individuality in all students, guiding their behavior towards success. 
• Student Support and Advising: Guide student behavior to foster academic achievement, personal responsibility, intellect, and individuality in all students. Actively participate in the Confidential Kehillah Student Education Plan when needed, implementing strategies to support student progress. Maintain regularly scheduled office hours in order to advise and assist students. If assigned an Advisory role, implement curriculum, meet with Advisees regularly, and actively partner with the Learning Center and teachers.
• School Community Support: Participate in experiential education programs and take on certain divisional and school-wide commitments as assigned. Professional responsibilities include attending Faculty week (the week following graduation), orientation, assisting with Kehillah Prep (the second week of August), Faculty In-Service meetings (the week before the new academic year begins), Back-to-School Night, Open House and admissions events, parent meetings, professional development, chaperone field trips. Be a role model for the School’s educational philosophy as articulated by Our Four Commitments. 

Desired Skills & Experience

Must be able to provide verification of ability to work in the U.S. without the need for sponsorship and reside in the State of California at the time of hire.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in History or related subject area; advanced degree(s) preferred; and significant background in research. 
• Experience: Three years teaching high school History preferred.
• Instructional Design and Delivery: Incorporates a variety of pedagogical approaches; adept with blended and flipped learning
• Student Differentiation: Meets students diverse needs through differentiated instruction and support.
• Technology: Highly proficient with technology tools such as Google Docs and learning management tools such as Schoology.
• Classroom Management: Skilled at effective classroom management strategies.
• Teamwork: Collaborative with colleagues to align curriculum, share best practices, and engage in departmental initiatives.
• Ethics and Integrity: Upholds high ethical standards and models professionalism at all times. 

Why Join The Kehillah School?

The Kehillah School is a progressive, inclusive, and innovative independent high school that values creativity, intellectual curiosity, and community engagement. We provide a supportive teaching environment where educators are empowered to bring their expertise and passion into the classroom.

Diversity And Belonging

We believe our strength lies in our diversity and our commitment to creating spaces of belonging for all who join us.. Through belonging, our students and faculty find themselves and others, recognizing the unique contributions each person can make to healing our world. Our belief in the interconnectedness and value of all human beings compels us to work individually and collectively towards equity and social justice. We are committed to building a society that appreciates and celebrates differences as well as a society that empathetically confronts the ways individuals, institutions, and systems have oppressed others based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and other aspects of identity. We believe that it is only by clearly understanding the past and the present of these dynamics that our community members will develop the capacity to help create a better future for all. We acknowledge that this work is ongoing and ever-evolving.

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range is between $83,900 - $120,980, based on years of teaching experience. Kehillah offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes free HMO medical or employer-subsidized PPO plans, free dental and vision, EAP, retirement planning, life insurance, short and long-term disability, gym membership, and more!

Please apply on our website: www.kehillah.org and Visit our LinkedIn page. Candidates must also attach their resume and cover letter to the application.

The Kehillah School is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Kehillah are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social, or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, ancestry, or any other status protected by Federal, State, or local laws or regulations. Kehillah will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics in the administration of its employment practices.