Employment

Teaching at San Diego French-American School

At San Diego French-American School, we recruit, hire and retain educators who view themselves as professionals and are committed to the art and craft of exceptional teaching. We also seek dynamic, growth-oriented individuals who value excellence and for whom educating children is a calling.

Teaching candidates who will thrive at San Diego French-American School are those who wish to engage fully, continually challenge themselves and their students, and embrace modern pedagogy within a multilingual school environment that prioritizes:

  • Relationship building, human understanding and cultural competence
  • Language, problem solving, critical thinking skills and growth mindset orientation
  • Character development, personal growth and adherence to core values
  • Developing skills necessary to work well autonomously as well as collaborate effectively in groups

Click here to view the San Diego French-American School Educator job description. If you are interested in joining a team of highly motivated educators who are passionate about their areas of expertise, consider social and emotional learning as equal in importance to academics, and share a common vision for how to develop global citizens, we invite you to present yourself as a candidate.

San Diego French-American School is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment and hires employees without regard to gender, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, color, creed, gender identification or sexual orientation. In its hiring practices, San Diego French-American School values diversity in all of its forms and seeks above all educators who are open-minded, self-aware, and committed to learning and growth.

Actively Recruiting for 2022–23

Preschool Assistant Teacher (1)
French strongly preferred though not required. Click here for position description. Start in January.

P/T Extended Care (after school staff)
From 3:30–5:30 PM from 1 day to 5 days per week. Perfect for undergraduate or graduate students thinking about careers in education! If interested, please write to enrichment@sdfas.org.

Long Term Substitute English Language Arts Teacher
The San Diego French American School is hiring a long term substitute English Language Arts teacher (the curriculum components taught in English) for all classes in 6th–8th grade, from September to December 2023. Additional roles include advisory clubs or electives, study skills, learning support, leading projects, and/or coaching a sport. Click here for position description.

Teachers

San Diego French-American School is looking for outstanding, experienced, expert Certified or Qualified French Professeurs des écoles and Certified or Qualified French Professeurs, niveau collège.


To apply, please send (as a single PDF file) your resume/CV and cover letter/lettre de motivation, any other teaching credentials (e.g. rapports d’inspection) and letters of recommendation to Mark Rosenblum, Head of School at hos@sdfas.org.

San Diego French-American School is looking for outstanding highly motivated independent school teachers for our curricular programs taught in the English language. Candidates are sought for all grade levels PK-5 and all MS subject areas for grades 6-8 (English Language Arts & Social Studies, ESL, Mathematics and Science).


To apply, please send your resume/curriculum vitae, a cover letter, any other teaching credentials or portfolio elements, and at least two recent letters of recommendation (of which one is from a current or recent direct supervisor) to Mark Rosenblum, Head of School at hos@sdfas.org.

San Diego French-American School is looking for outstanding highly motivated independent school teachers for our curricular programs taught in the English language.


To apply, please send your resume/curriculum vitae, a cover letter, any other teaching credentials or portfolio elements, and at least two recent letters of recommendation (of which one is from a current or recent direct supervisor) to Mark Rosenblum, Head of School at hos@sdfas.org.

Preschool Assistant Teachers

Click here to view the Preschool Assistant Teacher job description. If interested, please send a resume, cover letter and short list of professional references (as a single PDF file please) to sricouard@sdfas.org and with CC to besterly@sdfas.org.

  • Bilingual French-English strongly preferred
  • Early Childhood Education credits required to work in the Preschool camp groups (age 2–5) which means 12 units across three specific areas (the school is happy to provide transcript analysis for interested candidates)
  • Demonstrated prior experience working with children strongly preferred
  • Cross-cultural competency and experience living in different countries or within different cultural settings strongly preferred but not required
  • Hourly salary commensurate with experience and benchmarks for similar positions at schools of our size and profile in southern California
  • Authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Summer Camp Staff
(Lead Counselors & Assistant Teachers)

Click here to view the Summer Camp Staff job descriptions (Lead Counselor and Assistant Teacher). If interested, please send a resume, cover letter and short list of references (as a single PDF file please) to vcovarrubias@sdfas.org and with CC to besterly@sdfas.org.

  • Bilingual French-English strongly preferred
  • Early Childhood Education credits required to work in the Preschool camp groups (age 2–5) which means 12 units across three specific areas (the school is happy to provide transcript analysis for interested candidates)
  • Demonstrated prior experience working with children strongly preferred
  • Cross-cultural competency and experience living in different countries or within different cultural settings strongly preferred but not required
  • Hourly salary commensurate with experience and benchmarks for similar positions at schools of our size and profile in southern California
  • Authorized to work in the United States for any employer

San Diego French American School J-1 Visa Program

J-1 Visa Program Sponsorship Overview

San Diego French-American School (SDFAS) is approved by the U.S. Department of State as a direct sponsor and host school for the J-1 Visa Program in the Teacher Exchange Visitor category.

The program is open to applicants who meet the requirements for participation;  however, we can only sponsor teachers who are applying for a teaching position at our school.

To view the requirements from the US Department of State, please click here.

Teachers may be sponsored on a J-1 visa for three academic years with the possibility of an additional two years if the conditions for extension are met and approved. 

Exchange teachers will participate in cross-cultural activities, and share their own culture in the classroom with students, other teachers, schools, and communities, so they can return to their home country and share their American experiences and increased knowledge of the United States and the U.S. education system.

For more information, please click here to view the Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure from the US Department of State. 

Cross-Cultural Activities

Teachers participating in a J-1 exchange teacher program will be required to complete at least one cross-cultural activity within the United States per academic year of participation, from each of the following two categories: 

 

  1. An activity for the teacher’s classroom, host school or host school district population, or the  community at large designed to give an overview of the history, traditions, heritage, culture,  economy, educational system and/or other attributes of his or her home country. Exchange  teachers must conduct at least one cross-cultural activity per academic year outside the host school in nearby schools or communities.
  1. An activity that involves U.S. student dialogue with schools or students in another country,  preferably in the exchange teacher’s home school, through virtual exchange or other means. 

 

Visa Fees

SDFAS covers all fees related to the teacher exchange program, including the SEVIS fee and the DS-160 fee for both J-1 and J-2 visa applicants. 

SDFAS does not work with third party agencies, and does not have a sponsor fee.

 

Salary and Taxes

All employees, including J-1 visa holders, are subject to deductions such as federal and state income taxes, Social Security & Medicare (FICA), and State Disability Insurance (SDI). There may be additional state and local deductions.

 

Some visas may affect required taxes and withholdings and should be discussed with the business office. Certain J-1 visa employees may be exempt from federal taxation according to terms of specific tax treaties between the USA and other countries.

For an estimated tax amount deduction, please visit the Federal Income Tax Calculator.

 

Insurance & Insurance Requirements

The US Department of State requires that each holder of a J visa (J-1 and J-2) has an insurance in effect that covers the exchange visitor and their dependent(s) for sickness and accidents during the entire time of participation in the program.

SDFAS covers the following insurances:

  • Comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurances for J-1 visa holders
  • Evacuation/Repatriation insurance for both J-1 visa holders and their dependent(s).

SDFAS does not cover health insurance for dependents. Exchange visitor teachers may enroll their dependents in the school’s medical, dental and vision insurance plans by paying the additional premium through payroll deduction.

 

Estimated Monthly Cost of Living in San Diego (may vary based on lifestyle choices).

All costs are listed in $USD.

Housing Rental:

  • Studio: $1,700
  • One bedroom: $2,000
  • Two bedroom: $3,500
  • Three bedroom: $4,500

Transportation:

San Diego does not have a great public transportation system; having a car for transportation is essential. 

  • Car purchase upon arrival $9,000–$13,000
  • Car insurance: $80
  • Gas: $150

 Other Living Expenses:

  • Groceries / food: $300 for a single person
  • Cell phone: $100
  • Internet: $100
  • Utilities (gas, electricity, water): $120

Entertainment:

  • According to lifestyle…

 

The website Numbeo can provide a useful and pretty accurate summary of the cost of living in San Diego.

 

Exchange Visitor Hotline

Exchange Visitor  Program (EVP) Emergency Hotline – 1-866-283-9090 is a 24/7 toll-free telephone number that allows exchange visitors to directly contact the Department of State in emergency and urgent situations.