Posted: 04-Mar-25
Location: Washington, D.C.
Type: Full Time
Salary: 65,000-100,000
Categories:
Preferred Education:
Additional Information:
Makerspace Director
Position Type: This is a full-time, salaried with benefits (overtime exempt) position.
Subject Matter & Projected Pay Range (per the D.C. Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023): While we look for teachers who can teach the breadth of our curriculum, this position is specifically for a teacher who can run our Makerspace Lab in the Middle (grade 6-8) & Upper (grade 9-12) School divisions: $65,000-100,000.
Position Description: The Field School's program is ambitious and bold, and our teachers are required to embody the mission of the school by guiding students to discover their authentic selves and distinctive paths to become empathetic, creative thinkers who act boldly to shape our shared future. Teachers are expected to pursue this through a combination of authentic day-to-day interactions with students, in the design and implementation of curriculum, and in their professional interactions with colleagues.
A flexible and innovative mindset is required. As content experts and students of best practice, Field teachers are expected to adapt to their students' learning interests and needs. Strong communication skills and a willingness to collaborate are imperative, as Field teachers regularly work with other teachers, student-support teams, department chairs, and academic leadership to ensure that all students are being supported and challenged by our mission. Teachers are expected to teach assigned courses, serve as student advisors, and facilitate school-wide programming while striving to improve in practice by leveraging coaching, mentoring, professional development, and other supports.
At Field, we believe that students learn best when they feel a sense of belonging at their school – when they are seen and valued by their teachers, peers, and school community. Our approach to community emphasizes respect for, and the inclusion of, all community members as individuals while balancing a focus on the common good and well-being of the school community as a whole. This balance means that we prioritize the community without prioritizing sameness.
Field is a place where our classrooms are better because they mirror the outside world, embracing a diversity of identity, thought, experience, and ability. We believe in the interconnectedness of people and ideas; we strive to be a learning community at every level of the school. At the core, teaching faculty of any discipline are expected to be committed learners and model community members. While Field is an independent school, we are not independent of each other or our established academic standards. Faculty are members of the larger Field community and are expected to shepherd the values of the school.
The Field School is deeply committed to creating and sustaining a learning environment that values equity, diversity, and inclusion as outlined above. This commitment requires sustained effort and a willingness to grow as a community of professionals.
Specifically, we are seeking a “big thinker” and program visionary who is a creative, innovative, and collaborative Makerspace Director to develop and lead our school's maker education program. This position is responsible for teaching making and engineering classes to middle and upper school students, managing our makerspace facility, and developing a cohesive, integrated maker program across grade levels and disciplines. The ideal candidate will blend technical expertise with educational excellence to inspire students and colleagues through hands-on, project-based learning experiences.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching
? Design and teach maker classes for middle and upper school students that develop technical skills, design thinking, and creative problem-solving
? Create developmentally appropriate curriculum that builds skills progressively from grades 6-12
? Integrate maker education with core subject areas through collaborative projects with other faculty
? Assess and evaluate student progress using appropriate project-based assessment methods
? Differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
? Maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment
Makerspace Management
? Oversee the daily operations, organization, and maintenance of the makerspace facility
? Manage makerspace budget, inventory, and equipment
? Ensure all tools and equipment are properly maintained, repaired, and replaced as needed
? Establish and enforce safety protocols and procedures
? Research and recommend new technologies, tools, and materials for the makerspace
? Create and maintain documentation for equipment use and maker projects
? Keep the makerspace organized, clean, and ready for use by multiple user groups
Program Development
? Develop a cohesive, progressive maker education program that spans middle and upper school
? Cultivate a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation among students and faculty through makerspace programming
? Create a vision and strategic plan for the maker program that aligns with school mission and goals
? Collaborate with faculty across disciplines to incorporate making into various subject areas
? Organize maker events, showcases, competitions, and community outreach activities
? Stay current with maker education best practices, tools, and pedagogies
? Pursue professional development opportunities and build relationships with the broader maker education community
? Measure and communicate program impact and student outcomes to administration, parents, and community
Qualifications and Competencies:
Required
? Bachelor's degree in education, engineering, design, or related field
? 3+ years of teaching experience, preferably in middle or high school settings
? Demonstrated expertise in multiple maker disciplines (e.g., digital fabrication, electronics, coding, robotics, woodworking, textiles)
? Strong classroom management and instructional skills
? Experience managing makerspaces, fab labs, or similar creative learning environments
? Proficiency with digital design tools, fabrication equipment, and programming languages
? Knowledge of safety protocols for maker equipment and materials
? Excellent communication and collaboration skills
? Passion for project-based learning and maker education
Preferred
? Master's degree in education, engineering, design, or related field
? Experience developing maker curriculum and assessments
? Knowledge of design thinking methodologies and applications in education
? Familiarity with various educational standards (NGSS, ISTE, etc.) and how maker education supports them
? Experience with grant writing and fundraising for educational technology
? Leadership experience in educational settings
? Active involvement in maker education networks and communities
Technical Skills
The ideal candidate will be skilled in many if not all of the following technical areas of makerspace programming:
? Digital fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, CNC machines)
? Electronics and physical computing (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, microcontrollers)
? Programming and coding (block-based and text-based languages)
? Computer-aided design software (CAD)
? Woodworking and traditional craftwork
? Textile work (sewing, e-textiles)
? Audio/visual production tools
Personal Attributes
? Creative problem-solver and innovative thinker
? Enthusiastic and engaging instructor who inspires students
? Open-minded and generative collaborator
? Organized and detail-oriented project manager
? Flexible and adaptable to changing needs and technologies
? Patient mentor who encourages experimentation and learning from failure
? Committed to equity and inclusion in STEAM education
? Self-motivated and able to work independently
? Team player who works effectively with colleagues
Work Environment: Teachers may be asked to perform their work duties at home (in the event of remote learning) and/or on campus. In both settings, the teacher is required to maintain a professional environment. While on campus, classes may be operating either in person or in a distributed setting. Teachers are expected to be present and accessible for the entire school day, regardless of the setting.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, teachers are regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active; it requires prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking (including climbing and descending stairs), and moving/rearranging classroom furniture/equipment to meet the student/instructional needs.
Travel: Regular travel is not expected in this position.
About The Field School: Located in Washington, DC, The Field School (grades 6-12) takes great pride in providing students with an ideal blend of structured academic excellence and individual expression in a relaxed, joyful atmosphere. Through dialogue among students and teachers, we encourage students to seek knowledge and join in community. Field connects the various realms of knowledge to help students understand their world and lead full lives. For more than 50 years, Field has been a space where students: Students discover their authentic selves and distinctive paths to become empathetic, creative thinkers who act boldly to shape our shared future.
Contact: Candidates are invited to send their resume and cover letter to HR@fieldschool.org and to visit www.fieldschool.org for additional information about our school community. Official Field School Employment Applications are available upon request.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
The School requires full immunization (initial vaccination and all recommended booster shots) against COVID-19 subject to applicable medical exemptions under state and federal law. If an exemption is requested, the School will determine whether reasonable accommodations are available in accordance with applicable law.
The Field School is committed to building a diverse and equitable faculty. The school does not discriminate based on a person's race, color, sex, gender, identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, homelessness, or any other ground prohibited by Federal or District of Columbia law.
D.C. Pay Transparency Law
On Jan. 12, 2024, the District of Columbia’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, signed the Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023 (the Act) into law. The Act requires Washington, D.C. employers to disclose salary or hourly pay ranges and benefits information for open positions starting June 30, 2024.
Requirements of the Washington, D.C. Pay Transparency Law:
The Act applies to employers of any size and requires that public job listings and positions advertised include the minimum and maximum projected salary or hourly pay for the job that the employer believes in good faith at the time of posting. Internal announcements concerning promotion and transfer opportunities must also include the salary range or hourly pay. Furthermore, information about the existence of healthcare benefits associated with the position must be disclosed to the applicant prior to the first interview.
Employers are prohibited from screening or discriminating against applicants based on their salary history or inquiring about wage history from the candidate or their former employer. In addition, employers may not retaliate against employees who discuss their compensation, which is defined as “all forms of monetary and nonmonetary benefits an employer provides or promises to provide an employee in exchange for the employee’s services to the employer.”
Posting Requirement:
Employers are required to display a notice in the workplace that informs employees of their rights under the Act.
Disclosure of Healthcare Benefits Availability to all Full-Time Employees:
The Field School offers a comprehensive set of employment-based benefits to full-time employees of the School.
Eligibility begins on day one (1) of full-time employment which is defined by the School’s benefit plan as those employees who work at least 30 hours per week on an average weekly basis, consistently throughout the year.
Healthcare Benefits including a choice of Medical Insurance Plans, Dental Insurance Plans, and a Vision Plan, are included in the current benefits plan offerings.
The School reserves the right to amend or cancel the current benefit plan offerings, at any time, with or without prior notice.
New full-time employees to the School will have thirty (30) calendar days from the start of their employment to enroll in or decline all benefits, including these Healthcare Benefit offerings. Coverage is effective on the first day of employment, regardless of when the enrollment takes place, provided it is complete within the first 30-day enrollment eligibility window.