Career Center

The Gates Invention & Innovation Program at Cardigan is a unique, hands-on offering designed to encourage creative thinking, problem-solving, risk-taking, team building, and entrepreneurial spirit, and to develop in students of all grades an appreciation for creativity, hard work, and perseverance. The Charles C. Gates Invention & Innovation Competition is the culmination of a yearlong focus for students in the Gates Program.  Students are tasked with identifying a problem in the real world and developing a “functioning innovation or invention to solve that problem.” Each student or student team designs and develops their invention prototypes with guidance from the Director. Criteria for the invention or innovation include the following: it must perform a practical function, make life easier or safer, entertain, or solve an everyday problem. While pride in accomplishment is first and foremost, participants in the program vie for cash awards in a competition similar to a trade show at the end of the year. Outstanding projects that are unique and merit further consideration may be awarded a “patent nod” by the judges.

The Position

Cardigan Mountain School seeks an experienced and committed educator to lead our Gates Invention & Innovation Program beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.  The Director of the Gates Invention & Innovation oversees and works in tandem with other Gates Instructors and Coaches to inspire and support productive young entrepreneurs, creative thinkers, scientists, and engineers with a focus on the STEM disciplines. The Director will be someone who loves visionary thinking as well as tactical execution, and someone with an entrepreneurial spirit as well as a grounding in best practices in design education.  The teaching position is a full-time, 10-month position reporting to the Dean of Academics and the Associate Head of School.

The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of the equipment and hand tools typically found in a well-equipped middle school industrial arts shop.  The ideal candidate will also possess a STEM background with foundational skills in applied engineering and/or computer programming to help with the strategic expansion and development of the Gates Program into 8^th and 9^th grades.  In addition to providing instruction in the safe and productive use of shop tools, the instructor should be creative and able to manipulate many types of materials, including, but not limited to wood, metal, fabric, and plastic.  The ability to work with computers for word processing, presentations, and graphic arts is important, as well as basic knowledge of robotics (LEGO or VEX).   

Responsibilities

The Director of the Gates Invention & Innovation Program includes the following responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Confidently represent the Gates Invention & Innovation Program’s vision, goals, and learning objectives to the wider community to advance and expand the program in line with the goals of Cardigan’s Strategic Plan
• Lead, model, and inspire students and fellow Gates Instructors and Coaches
• Plan and lead the annual Gates Competition

Program Leadership

• Stay up-to-date on new discoveries in education and learning which relate to innovation and make recommendations for programmatic implementation as appropriate
• Design and implement curriculum to develop students’ skillset and understanding of the tools in Gates
• Differentiate classroom instruction based on student readiness
• Work collaboratively with and support other Gates Instructors and Coaches
• Manage classroom materials and equipment, as well as program budget
• Be an active member of school life outside the classroom (advisor, athletic coach, dorm parent, etc.)

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• Previous teaching experience in a middle school environment preferred but not required
• Demonstrated proficiency in subject area through previous coursework and/or experience
• Interest in and demonstrated skill in working with adolescent boys
• A shared commitment to an inclusive community, and respect for differences
• Ability to make contributions to School life across multiple facets of our program
• Willingness to embrace and engage in the active lifestyle of an independent boarding school
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Impeccable organizational skills to support the curriculum, classroom processes, and showcase the Gates space to the wider public

About Cardigan Mountain School

Cardigan Mountain Academic Year: Cardigan Mountain School is a junior boarding and day school for boys in grades six through nine, located in Canaan, New Hampshire. The School seeks to employ individuals who will share our commitment to supporting the School’s mission: “To offer a close-knit community that prepares middle school boys—in mind, body, and spirit—for responsible and meaningful lives in a global society.” The School offers competitive salaries and benefits in a rewarding work environment defined by the strength of our community and our core values: compassion, integrity, respect and courage. Cardigan Summer Session: the perfect balance between academic enrichment and summertime fun for boys and girls ages 8-15.

Connections working at Cardigan Mountain School