Details
Posted: 31-Jan-23
Location: New York, New York
Type: Full Time
Salary: 88,000-110,000
Categories:
Technology Instruction
The Makerspace Coordinator and Creative and Computational Thinking Teacher position is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and experienced teacher, technologist, and tinkerer with a deep understanding of educational technology and a focus on computational thinking and creative problem-solving.
Speyer has a superb, stocked, and bustling Makerspace (“Makers Lab”) that provides a safe space to foster creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and exploration of ideas, and invites students to tinker, build, and innovate. Our inquiry-based learning and "learning by doing" model provides a platform for immersion in creative processes that weave together technology, analysis, logic, and innovation.
Creative and Computational Thinking (CCT) is a core course taught to all students in Grades Five through Eight twice per week (16 class periods per week). It encompasses topics such as computational and algorithmic thinking, design thinking, digital storytelling, systems, and digital citizenship.
The role requires flexibility and collaboration to advance the use of technology both in the CCT class and by encouraging and supporting teachers’ meaningful use of technology within academic disciplines and through interdisciplinary, project-based work. The Makerspace Coordinator and CCT Teacher is a member of both the Tech Team and the Middle School faculty, and at the forefront of the evolving technology offerings at Speyer, driving innovation and contributing to the overall school technology vision.
This is a full-time, 12-month, salaried position reporting to both the Chief Information and Technology Officer and the Head of Middle School.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain and organize the Makers Lab with a focus on age-appropriate safety
- Teach Middle School Creative and Computational Thinking course
- Support technology integration, leveraging technology to support best practices in pedagogy
- Collaborate as a thought-partner for teachers leading project-based work
- Guide teachers in using technology for differentiation and formative assessment
- Encourage student agency, reflection, collaboration, and creative problem-solving
- Support interdisciplinary projects focused on design thinking strategies
- Design curriculum to enhance the existing Computational Thinking scope and sequence
- Support teachers, students, and administrators in their day-to-day technology needs
- Resolve technical issues reported in our helpdesk ticketing system
- Troubleshoot and support the software, hardware, and systems, including classroom multimedia and student and teacher devices
- Assist with management of various cloud platforms, such as GoGuardian and Schoology
- Assist with event setups and audio/visual equipment
- Plan one-on-one and group workshops and professional development sessions
- Support families as needed through our parent support email service
- Perform additional duties as assigned
Requirements, Skills, and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.
- Experience in educational environment, preferably in a comparable K-8 environment
- A track record of being an innovative, committed, positive, helpful, energetic, flexible, adaptive, creative, and effective educator
- Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and parents
- A teacher’s disposition: approachable, patient, gentle, and supportive
- Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Insatiable desire to learn and dedication to educational technology
- Enthusiasm to help students and teachers use technology in meaningful ways
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to work on multiple projects, with competing priorities, to completion
- Experience coding in multiple programming languages preferred
- Experience with current technologies used in educational institutions
- A strong foundation in pedagogy and teaching methodologies integrating technology into curriculum and instruction
- Maker’s Lab management experience preferred
- Maintaining safety first
- Using and maintaining tools and equipment
- A clear vision of the “Maker Movement” and how it supports the 21st century learner
- A passion for tinkering, making, and doing
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Application Information
To apply please send your resume, cover letter, and the contact information of three references to employment@speyerlegacyschool.org. Please indicate “Makerspace Coordinator and CCT Teacher” in the subject line.
The Speyer Legacy School welcomes candidates who will add to the diversity of our community and who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in their prior work and educational settings.
The Speyer Legacy School is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or family composition or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its employment, education, admission, financial aid, and other policies and programs.