Exempt Position

Reports to

Director of Lower School and Director of Educational Technology

Position Summary

The Lower School Innovation and Design teacher will work with a co-teacher to guide students through the innovation design process as well as their exploration of topics, including digital citizenship, coding, AI, robotics, and using technology tools to express themselves creatively and effectively. They will partner with Lower School faculty to work collaboratively toward meeting the needs of students through the use of technology and create a culture of innovative teaching and learning. Applicants showing a commitment to excellence in educational technology, the ability to lead and manage change, excellent interpersonal skills, flexible and creative thinking, and the ability to facilitate collaboration are highly preferred. Candidates must also have at least three years of lower school experience and ideally have taught students spanning pre-K-5. 

The successful candidate will also embrace student-centered pedagogy, model curiosity, a desire for professional growth, and be willing to work collaboratively with colleagues.  Additionally, they will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their teaching practice and when building relationships and have the ability to support educators in using technology to advance learning that meets the diverse learning, cultural, and social-emotional needs of individual students. Familiarity with the principles and practices of Quakerism, Quaker education, and Responsive Classroom is highly desirable. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

IdeaLab

• Foster innovation and creativity by providing opportunities for students to design and build projects using the IdeaLab resources

• Guide students to explore the connections between engineering and technology

• Ensure a multidisciplinary approach (STEAM) to support Project Based Learning (PBL) design units

• Oversee the maintenance, scheduling, and ordering of supplies for the IdeaLab, and Collaborative Workspaces.

Teaching/Curriculum

• A commitment to teaching through the mission of the school, with a curricular framework that encourages students to create, innovate and design as a means for positive change 

• Partner with the other Lower School Innovation and Design Teacher to integrate and design innovative student learning experiences based on the ISTE standards 

• Work with the department to develop and implement a scope and sequence of skills related to design thinking and technology pre-K through 12 

Faculty Coaching

• Coach teachers in individualized sessions and workshops to identify opportunities for design and innovation concepts to be integrated into existing and new curricula 

• Collaborate with teachers to learn the lower school programming and identify opportunities for design and innovation to be integrated into existing and new curricula. 

• Actively plan with teachers for the integration of design thinking within Project Based Learning units

• Partner with teachers to establish sequential goals and objectives for innovation literacy instruction in grades pre-K through Fifth

• Act as liaison between Lower School faculty and the Educational Technology department to provide technical support 

Perform other duties as assigned by the Lower School Director or Director of Educational Technology

Competencies:

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of educational technology best practices.

• Demonstrates best practices and passion in teaching technology and innovation skills to school-age children.

• Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students, faculty, and other community members.

• Embodies excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with diverse faculty and staff members and the larger school community.

• Shares a passion for working with children and collaborating with peers.

• Stay current on technological tools and platforms to support instruction through ongoing research, attending conferences, and engaging in school visits

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and carry at least 30 pounds

• Ability to walk, stand, sit on the floor, or kneel for extended periods of time

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions

We will review application materials as they are submitted and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Instructional Technology or related field is preferred

• 3+ years of experience in elementary school education

• Knowledge of pertinent technology integration models and pedagogical practices

• Knowledge of educational platforms and software including but not limited to Google Workspace, macOS, and SMARTboard.

About William Penn Charter School

William Penn Charter School is an all gender, Quaker, coeducational, PreK-12 independent day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter values scholarship and inquiry. Our school emphasizes academics, the arts, athletics, spiritual awareness and service learning.

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