Full-Time Lead Teacher / Menlo Park Homeschool Family
Start Date: August 2026 (Earlier onboarding/start date available for the right candidate)
Compensation: $120,000–$140,000 annually DOE + Benefits (Healthcare Assistance, PTO, and performance-based bonuses)
Schedule: Full-Time, Monday–Friday (approximately 30–40 hours/week including instructional and preparation time)
An established homeschooling family in Menlo Park is seeking an experienced and engaging Full-Time Lead Teacher to support their home-based educational program for four children (7th grade, 4th grade, 2nd grade, and Kindergarten) beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year.
This is a unique opportunity for a collaborative educator to help cultivate a rich and dynamic homeschool environment rooted in whole-child education, academic excellence, character development, curiosity, independence, and meaningful real-world learning experiences.
The family is seeking a long-term educational partner who values relationship-based learning and embraces the role of guide and facilitator rather than traditional lecturer. This position is ideal for an educator who is energized by thoughtful discussion, inquiry-driven learning, multi-age instruction, and the opportunity to meaningfully shape a highly personalized educational experience.
The family has intentionally chosen homeschooling as an alternative to traditional education and is seeking a teacher who appreciates and aligns with a relationship-centered, individualized approach to learning.
Educational Philosophy & Learning Environment
The family’s homeschool program is rooted in a modified Charlotte Mason philosophy and inspired by the UK-based Alveary curriculum, which has been consistently implemented for more than five years.
The educational environment emphasizes:
- Literature-rich instruction using living books, narration, discussion, copywork, and reflective learning
- Short, intentional lessons aligned with developmental readiness and attention span
- Whole-child education focused on curiosity, integrity, humility, independence, and meaningful engagement
- Nature-based education, outdoor learning, and experiential exploration
- Minimal to no homework
- Limited screen time
- Inquiry-driven and relationship-centered learning
- Student ownership and active participation in the learning process
The instructional structure includes:
- Rotating one-on-one instruction
- Small-group learning
- Guided independent work
- Facilitator-style teaching rather than lecture-heavy instruction
The ideal educator understands that the goal is not to replicate a traditional classroom environment. Rather, the teacher will serve as a thoughtful guide who helps students engage deeply with ideas, develop independent thinking skills, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
While familiarity with Charlotte Mason and/or Alveary-inspired educational methods is strongly preferred, it is not required for this role. The family is highly supportive and willing to provide training, resources, and ongoing guidance for educators who are excited about the opportunity and open to learning this educational approach.
The mother remains actively involved in the homeschool program and will continue teaching select family studies and enrichment subjects during the early morning hours. The Lead Teacher will assume primary academic instruction thereafter and collaborate closely with the parents regarding curriculum implementation, student growth, and educational planning.
Student Profiles & Educational Goals
The children are bright, curious, relational learners with strong imaginations and diverse interests. Several are highly auditory and discussion-oriented learners who thrive through narration, conversation, hands-on experiences, and experiential learning opportunities.
The family is seeking an educator who can:
- Foster deeper thinking and meaningful discussion
- Encourage strong reading and writing development
- Support independent learning habits and organization
- Challenge advanced learners while supporting emerging skills
- Cultivate confidence, a growth mindset, and intrinsic motivation
Specific areas of emphasis include:
- Reading fluency and literacy development
- Writing composition and written expression
- Mathematical confidence and mastery
- Thoughtful discussion and analytical thinking
- Executive functioning and organization
- Inquiry-based exploration and creative problem solving
The children enjoy activities such as:
- Engineering and building projects
- Robotics and STEM exploration
- Literature and storytelling
- Nature exploration and hiking
- Rock climbing, swimming, and jiu jitsu
- Handicrafts, art, games, and creative projects
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership & Instruction
- Serve as the Lead Teacher / Head of School for the homeschool program
- Lead daily instruction across core academic subjects
- Provide differentiated instruction across multiple grade levels and learning profiles
- Support students through one-on-one instruction, small-group learning, and guided independent work
- Maintain high academic standards while honoring whole-child educational principles
Charlotte Mason & Alveary-Inspired Instruction
- Implement and support Charlotte Mason and Alveary-inspired educational methods
- Incorporate narration, literature-rich learning, nature study, habit formation, and reflective discussion
- Create short, focused, and intentional lessons
- Encourage student ownership and inquiry-driven learning
- Guide students thoughtfully without over-directing or dominating instruction
Literacy, Writing & Individualized Support
- Provide targeted support in reading, writing, literacy, and written expression
- Support phonemic awareness, phonics, and early literacy development for younger learners
- Help students strengthen writing fluency, organization, and communication of ideas
- Adapt instruction to meet the needs of a multi-age learning environment
- Challenge academically capable learners with thoughtful discussion and deeper analysis
Planning, Organization & Progress Tracking
- Prepare lesson plans, materials, and learning experiences aligned with the family’s educational philosophy
- Maintain thoughtful pacing while remaining flexible to student interests and needs
- Organize educational materials and learning spaces
- Develop structured learning plans (asynchronous and/or synchronous) during occasional family travel periods
- Maintain detailed student progress tracking and academic organization
Parent Partnership & Communication
- Collaborate closely with the parents regarding curriculum implementation, instructional planning, and student growth
- Participate in weekly parent-teacher meetings/check-ins
- Provide weekly written progress reports and observations
- Offer thoughtful recommendations for reinforcement and continued growth at home
- Maintain open, professional, and solution-oriented communication
Enrichment, Socialization & Experiential Learning
- Incorporate outdoor learning, movement, nature study, and experiential learning opportunities into the school week
- Coordinate or support educational outings, field trips, peer interaction opportunities, and collaborative learning experiences
- Support age-integrated social development and positive peer interaction
- Collaborate with parents regarding extracurriculars and enrichment opportunities
- Help support the family’s long-term vision of potentially expanding into a collaborative teaching model with enrichment specialists (STEM/robotics, art, music, etc.)
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a thoughtful, relational, and highly capable educator who values curiosity, independence, integrity, and whole-child learning. They are intellectually curious professionals who genuinely enjoy learning alongside their students and fostering a love of discovery.
This individual is committed to helping children develop ownership of their education, build confidence, strengthen critical thinking skills, and cultivate intrinsic motivation within a supportive and engaging learning environment.
The family is especially interested in educators who are warm, organized, adaptable, collaborative, and excited by the opportunity to help shape a meaningful long-term homeschool experience.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
- Minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience, preferably within elementary and/or middle school learning environments
- Strong instructional background in literacy, writing, and mathematics across core subject areas
- Demonstrated ability to provide differentiated instruction and effectively support multi-age learners
- Experience with homeschooling, microschooling, private education, or alternative educational models (strongly preferred, but not required)
- Familiarity with, or openness to training in, Charlotte Mason and/or Alveary educational methods (strongly preferred, but not required)
- Must reside in, or be willing to reliably commute to, Menlo Park, California for in-person instruction
Additional Position Details (Optional Travel & Housing)
- Optional travel opportunities may arise 1–2 times per year, primarily to Hawaii; all travel accommodations and related expenses will be covered by the family
- Private guesthouse housing may be available for the right candidate, depending on fit and mutual interest
How to Apply
Please send application materials to Ashley at California Private Teachers.
Email: ashley@californiaprivateteachers.com
Subject Line: Private Teacher – Menlo Park, CA
Please include:
- Resume
- Letter of Introduction
- Teaching Credential or relevant licensure
- Unofficial Transcript(s)
- Letters of Recommendation (if available)
- List of Three Professional References
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Pay: $115,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- How do you balance maintaining strong academic structure and accountability while still allowing flexibility for student interests, inquiry-driven learning, and experiential opportunities?
Education:
Experience:
- teaching: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
