Purpose:  The Middle School Design Lab Teacher and Coordinator will teach computer science and engineering to MS students using design thinking and maker models and tools through hands-on PBL experiences. The instructor will plan and implement lessons to support students’ acquisition of skills in design, computational thinking, data analysis, project management, and modeling. The ideal candidate is a dynamic, enthusiastic teacher with a strong background in STEM and maker pedagogies.

The Design Lab Teacher and Coordinator understands that students think to make, and students make to think. The design lab will both initiate and extend students’ learning through exploration, collaboration, design, and creation. 

The Design Lab will support students’ understanding of coding, robotics, engineering, and architecture using a variety of tools and materials. It will extend the work of the LS design lab and work to prepare students for the Upper School Computer Science, Engineering, and Architecture pathways: 

• The Computer Science pathway includes CS Principles, CSA, and post-AP courses
• The Engineering pathway includes mechanical, civil, and aerospace engineering and Capstones
• The Architecture pathway includes residential and commercial architecture courses and Capstones

Essential Function: Provides instruction in the Design Lab in support of “learning through doing” 

General Responsibilities:

• Provide direct instruction to students grades 5-8  in design thinking skills and competencies, including making, coding and engineering competencies.
• As a Division-level Faculty Member in the Middle School, the MS Design Lab teacher fulfills the following division-related responsibilities and activities:
• Serves as a Middle School advisor, liaising between parents and school in support of the advisee. 
  • Supervises advisory daily in chapel, lunch, and other assigned duties
  • Serves on a grade-level team, engaging in weekly meetings as well as assists in planning and supervising grade-level programming, activities, and field trips
  • Chaperone advisory on outdoor education overnight trips.
• Attends Middle School faculty meetings and supports the middle school division;
• Work with the HOMS, AHMSA, Director of Academic Innovation and Faculty Growth (DAIFG), the Curriculum Network Leader for Engineering, Architecture, and Real Estate, and EdTech Directors in updating and maintaining the lab
• Empower and support staff and students in using technology and making to develop the hard and soft skills required to thrive beyond school
• Works closely with IT and DAIFG to ensure the spaces and tools provide innovative opportunities
• Maintain Design Lab equipment, including organization and maintenance of tools and materials inventory
• Ensure compliance with safety, rules/policy guidelines as well as best practice for Design Lab tools
• Create an environment for open exchange of ideas and collaboration opportunities
• Communicate Design Lab activities to the ESD community 

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

Abuse Risk Management Standards:

• Adheres to policies related to boundaries with students
• Attends required abuse risk management training
• Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors
• Follows mandated abuse reporting requirements
• Ensures students are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized employees are allowed in the facility, etc. 

Working Environment:

• Occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling
• Generally 40% sitting, 40% walking and 20% standing
• Minimal temperature variations
• Generally hazard free environment

The Episcopal School of Dallas is a faith-centered, co-educational, college preparatory, independent day school with students age 3 – Grade 12. The policy of The Episcopal School of Dallas is to recruit, hire, train and promote employees without discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by law. In our recruitment practices, we strive to create a diverse school community whose members embrace the Mission and Vision Statement of the school.

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Delivering Instruction

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field 
• Ability to cultivate enthusiasm for the applications of making and design with teachers and students
• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary pedagogy, including STEM principles, Design Thinking, and current technology practices for middle school students
• Experience in tinkering, making, prototyping and fabricating using a wide-variety of tools and materials
• Knowledge of computer science coding tools and principles (ie. Scratch, VEX, Alice)
• Willingness to learn and explore the use of STEM tools and equipment and stay on top of new technologies and best practices
• Willingness to learn and implement Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum (i.e. Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics, Green Architecture, Flight and Space, Medical Detectives).

Maintaining the Design Lab

• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with administrators, colleagues, and students 
• Ability to take initiative and persevere in problem-solving around technical and logistical challenges as they arise
• Ability to organize materials and maintain a safe and functioning design space
• Exceptional planning skills with an ability to prioritize time so that tasks are completed within a specific time frame

About The Episcopal School of Dallas

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