Founding Faculty: Catalyst: Menlo’s Applied Leadership Semester

Catalyst: Menlo’s Applied Leadership Semester
We seek passionate, innovative educators to join as founding faculty members of Catalyst, Menlo’s new Applied Leadership Semester program. This exciting and immersive program empowers juniors to develop leadership skills while tackling complex global challenges through an integrated, experiential, and interdisciplinary curriculum. Throughout our inaugural year, we will focus on case studies related to climate resilience and adaptation, combining rigorous academics with real-world problem-solving in partnership with Bay Area leaders and organizations.
Catalyst will function as a “school-within-a-school” at Menlo, offering a semester-long immersive experience for up to 18 students per term. The program will run twice annually (Fall and Spring), blending classroom learning with off-campus experiential opportunities. Faculty who teach in Catalyst will have full access to Menlo’s professional and collaborative resources but will focus solely on Catalyst courses and students.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the founding faculty of Catalyst and shape an innovative program that combines rigorous academics with real-world leadership development. Faculty will begin paid part-time, variable hour work in April 2025 (such as, but not limited to: engage in high level program planning, meet the students and families enrolled, and establish goals for summer curriculum work). Full-time responsibilities will begin in Summer 2025, including intensive professional development to ensure a successful program launch.
Please review closely sample course descriptions and program overview before applying.
Responsibilities
Teaching & Learning
Lead one section of up to 18 students in your subject area.
Co-teach interdisciplinary lessons or projects, collaborating closely with fellow faculty members.
Design and teach curriculum that integrates your subject expertise with themes of leadership, sustainability, and systems thinking.
Develop innovative, cross-disciplinary capstone projects that provide students opportunities for authentic feedback.
Guide students through fieldwork, case studies, and hands-on projects across the Bay Area.
Regularly observe and reflect on colleagues’ teaching practices to foster collaborative growth.
Administrative Leadership
Lead in a core administrative role, in addition to teaching, such as, but not limited to ensuring excellent outcomes in student life and culture, student support, communications and outreach, admissions and recruitment, academics, and/or off-campus experiences
Program Development
Collaborate with Catalyst faculty to design interdisciplinary learning experiences aligned with program themes.
Participate in ongoing program refinement and contribute to the program’s evolution as a founding team member.
Build relationships with industry partners, subject matter experts, and community organizations to support curriculum goals.
Experiential Learning
Organize and lead weekly off-campus learning experiences with Bay Area professionals and organizations.
Plan and lead a 4-5 day overnight retreat at the start of each semester.
Recruit and host guest speakers for on-campus learning experiences and student mentorship.
Student Support
Mentor students in their academic and personal growth, providing regular, constructive feedback to develop leadership and problem-solving skills.
Serve as an advisor to up to five students, supporting their holistic growth throughout the program.
Lead and support Menlo alumni mentors who work with Catalyst students.
Community Engagement
Participate in student recruitment events, such as open houses and shadow days, to attract prospective Catalyst participants.
Support the application process by reading applications, conducting interviews, and answering prospective students’ questions.
Engage actively in the broader Menlo School community, attending faculty meetings, school events, and other activities as needed.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess at minimum:
A bachelor’s degree (master’s or higher preferred).
4-5+ years of teaching experience, preferably at the secondary or university level.
Demonstrated experience designing innovative curriculum and authentic assessments.
Expertise in case-study-based teaching, project-based learning, or interdisciplinary curriculum development.
Experience with and/or passion for experiential learning
Leadership experience in teaching teams, program development, or administrative roles.
Strong collaboration skills and experience co-teaching or designing cross-curricular connections.
Interest in systems thinking and sustainability, and a commitment to experiential learning.
Enthusiasm for mentoring and supporting students’ individual growth as leaders.
Flexibility, adaptability, and comfort working in a dynamic and evolving program.
A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Preferred Experience
We encourage candidates to apply if they have experience with one or more of the following disciplines:
English: AP Language and Rhetoric, journalism, or social issues through visual media.
History: California history, environmental history, policy, or economics.
Math: Pre-Calculus or introductory Calculus (including honors).
Science: Biology (with a focus on field research) or engineering with environmental science emphasis.
Leadership Development
We offer:
An exceptional work environment and caring community
Highly competitive salary
A comprehensive benefits package, including generous contributions to a retirement plan  for eligible employees and their families. Learn more by going to https://www.menloschool.org/employment-benefits.php.
To be considered for this position please submit your resume and cover letter.

We look forward to hearing from you!

About us:

Menlo School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory school for students in grades six through twelve. Located in Atherton, California, and established in 1915, the School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National and California Associations of Independent Schools.
Menlo is dedicated to providing a challenging academic curriculum complemented by outstanding creative arts and athletic programs. The School helps students develop positive values and nurtures character development in a supportive environment that upholds the highest moral and ethical standards. Our program encourages students to reach their fullest potential and to develop the skills necessary to respond intelligently and humanely to the complexities of a diverse and increasingly interconnected world.
At Menlo School, equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are at the core of our organizational identity. Through our daily efforts, the School demonstrates a shared commitment to the development of all stakeholders by supporting a campus ethos where equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging reflect the major cornerstones of our community.
Our equal opportunity employment policy:

Menlo School is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants. We administer all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or domestic partnership status, disability, protected veteran status or military status, genetic information, or any other category protected under applicable law.

Pay range:
In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base salary range for this position for the 2025-2026 academic year. Our Faculty have a wide range of experience. We have teachers who are relatively new to the profession and those who have expertly taught for over 30 years. The full pay range, which encompasses all experience levels is $95,506 – $181,896. Within this broad range, we pay each Faculty member in accordance with what could be reasonably expected based on an individual’s experience level. Base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at Menlo are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at Menlo School, your final base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the generous range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for Menlo School in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

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