Position Goal: Lead the innovation class curriculum, space, and community in creating and building a program that will support cross-curricular goals and further our mission. Reports to: Principal Start Date: August 2024 Contact: careers@holyfamily.org This role is pivotal in our innovation journey, focusing on enriching student learning through creative teaching methods centered around students' future goals. Our aim is to empower students to problem-solve, integrate knowledge across all discip... more details
Description
Position Goal:
Lead the innovation class curriculum, space, and community in creating and building a program that will support cross-curricular goals and further our mission.
Reports to: Principal Start Date: August 2024 Contact: careers@holyfamily.org
This role is pivotal in our innovation journey, focusing on enriching student learning through creative teaching methods centered around students’ future goals. Our aim is to empower students to problem-solve, integrate knowledge across all disciplines, and foster a growth mindset. The innovation teacher will guide students through the engineering design process, facilitating skill development, resilience, and collaboration. Additionally, they will support faculty in creating innovative learning experiences. Ideal for a teacher passionate about hands-on, creative education.
Day-to-Day: Full Time 7:00-3:00, M., Tu., Th., Fr. (Wed. 7:30-4:00pm, later for Faculty Meeting)
- Teach Innovation class to students TK-8
- Facilitate class-specific projects that connect to the classroom curriculum
- Spearhead and lead a student newscast
- Supervision of students
- Management of innovation space
Duties and Responsibilities
- Facilitate developmentally appropriate learning experiences for Transitional Kindergarten-8th grade students to innovate and utilize student agency
- Create or select a curriculum that may include, but is not limited to: design thinking, project-based learning, digital citizenship, robotics, coding, media creation, digital fabrication, information literacy, and hands-on design projects.
- Planning projects for K-8th grade classes that explore Design Thinking Protocols and develop problem-solving skills.
- Collaborating with classroom teachers regarding incorporating Design Thinking and Project Based Learning into their classes.
- Regularly update parents regarding Innovation project topics, processes, and final products via parent communication platform (ParentSquare).
- Showcase photos and summaries of students’ work through online parent communication platform and provide to the Communications Director for social media
- As a member of the Technology Department, assist in identifying and troubleshooting software, hardware and IT issues
- Monitor and suggest changes to the School’s acceptable use policy to effectively ensure responsible digital behavior and proper care of school-issued devices as they evolve.
- Establish, maintain, and evaluate programs that will enhance the appropriate use of the innovation space, collaboration, and productivity for students and faculty/staff.
- Submit lesson plans by 8:00am of each week
- Manage the daily operations of the Innovation Lab
- Proactively identifies and prioritizes projects, managing time effectively, and demonstrating strong organizational and follow-through skills.
- Explore opportunities for student-led entrepreneurial endeavours
- Work on an 11-month schedule, with 4 weeks off in summer
- Attend 6th grade Science Camp (4 days, includes overnight)
Provide Training and Professional Development
- Run on-campus workshops, trainings, clubs, design challenges, and other similar experiences for teachers, students, and parents to promote innovation, risk-taking, and entrepreneurialism.
- Meet regularly with the technology team to report classroom technology issues, discuss technology products, and help coordinate improvements in technology instruction.
Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of or demonstrable willingness to use diverse materials to create like wood, cardboard, styrofoam, paper mache, metal, programming, 3D Printer, Laser Engraver, etc.
- In a class setting, provide one-on-one guidance and support for students pursuing individualized design and technology projects that may include the use of digital fabrication, electric, and hand tools.
- Understanding of the educational and social development of children TK-8th grade
- Demonstrates knowledge of approaches to safety in labs (such as air filtration for laser cutters, etc) and informs leadership of the safest options for the innovation lab
- Applies knowledge of safety, ethical use, troubleshooting, and research
- Knowledge of current approaches to assessment, benchmarking and tracking of results
- Interpersonal, writing, and communication skills
- Ability to work with instructional aides in a way that promotes student learning
- Organizational skills including the ability to motivate and lead diverse learners
Characteristics
- Results-oriented, self-motivated, dynamic, energetic, and creative
- Growth mindset, innate curiosity, and commitment to student-driven learning and collaboration with fellow teachers.
- Dependable, humble, have a sense of humor, and are committed to Catholic education
- Actively engage colleague, who focuses on student learning and contributes to improving school-wide learning efforts
- Ability to make effective judgments, and decisions, and take necessary actions in various situations.
Technical Skill Requirements
- Experience with digital media creation and publishing including editing video, photography, graphics, and basic web design.
- Experience with physical and digital fabrication (Such as woodshop, 3D modeling software, additive 3D printing, and laser cutting)
- Comfortable with a variety of hand and power tools, and can model safe and careful use.
- High proficiency with Apple computers and mobile devices, and familiarity with other operating systems.
- Demonstrates proficiency in office productivity software including Google Drive, Apple Productivity Suite, and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to learn new software and hardware promptly and troubleshoot when necessary.
Maintenance and Upkeep of the Space/Lab
- Manages the daily operations of the innovation lab including organization, inventory keeping, ordering, equipment operation, budgeting for, and facilitating student projects with faculty.
- Provides for the physical safety of children through anticipation and removal of hazards, visual observation of children, and appropriately responding to injuries as well as unexpected circumstances.
- Placing orders for materials required for the projects.
- Maintain and coordinate the use of multimedia materials and innovation lab.
Requirements
Education
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in innovation, engineering, media, or a related field is highly preferred.
- Valid teaching credential
Qualifications & Experience
- Previous experience teaching and leading innovation, design thinking, STEAM, maker’s space, tinkering, or similar
- Foster a positive and safe classroom culture, focused on student learning and innovation
- Previous teaching in a Catholic school is highly preferred
- Experience working with student news broadcasts or a desire to learn
- Supervise a classroom academic and program development and facilitate implementation
Physical Demands
- Essential Physical Functions – Must be able to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, climb, use hands, crouch, and occasionally lift and/or move children and classroom equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.
- Visual Requirements – Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus especially to ensure safety
- Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Additional requirements as assigned.
Qualified applicants should submit their cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation (1 from recent supervisors preferred), and contact information for 3 professional references to careers@holyfamily.org.
Wage Range
The rate of pay offered to the selected candidate is based on internal pay policy and budget. New hires are commonly paid at the minimum of the wage range or within the lower part of the range. We consider a number of factors when making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training and other department needs.