Director of Innovation
Benchmark School, PA
Job Level
Senior position
Post Date
01/26/2018
Job Category
Director
Sector
Job Status
Areas of Responsibility
Background information about Benchmark School: Founded in 1970, Benchmark School is an internationally recognized independent, co-educational day school committed to helping bright students in grades 1-8 who learn differently or have yet to reach their full academic potential. It is located on a 23-acre wooded campus in Media, PA, approximately 13 miles west of Philadelphia. Benchmark’s mission is to help our students develop into confident and strategic thinkers, learners, and problem-solvers who take control of their learning. One of the defining characteristics of the school is its commitment to excellence and research-based innovation. As a result of this focus, our graduates are self-advocates who approach tasks strategically, think flexibly, demonstrate persistence and resilience, and meet with success in school and in life. For more information about the school, please visit our website: BenchmarkSchool.org
Position Description: The major responsibility for this full-time position is to lead the school’s instructional efforts related to design thinking, innovation, and entrepreneurship so as to empower students to be creators of knowledge rather than simply consumers of it. The Director of Innovation will work to help students think creatively, identify and solve problems, bridge concepts across domains, and develop an unshakable growth mindset while applying a wide range of tools and technologies toward these goals. This is a new position at Benchmark School that will begin in association with a stunning, new, state-of-the-art Innovation Space designed by the world-renowned SHoP Architects and set to open in the fall of 2018. As such, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to create a new curriculum and shape the direction of the program moving forward.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Create and teach a design thinking curriculum in the Innovation Space to apply the tools and technologies available to help develop students’ confidence, motivation, and skill related to critical thinking, creative problem solving, communication, collaboration, and leadership
- Collaborate effectively with a diverse group of talented, experienced teachers
- Lead teachers in skill development with the tools and technologies used in the Innovation Space
- Guide and support teachers as they integrate design thinking across their instruction
- Work individually and with groups of students as they create using the design thinking process
- Model persistence, resilience, comfort with ambiguity, good judgment, and reflectivity
- Manage scheduling and use of the Innovation Space
- Train students and staff in safety procedures in the Innovation Space
- Lead extended learning opportunities outside of the regular school day including after-school and summer camp activities
- Support the school’s mission
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred
- Minimum of three years teaching experience preferred
- Pennsylvania Public School certification or Private School Academic certification required
- Effective communicator, both verbally and in writing, with colleagues and parents
- Strategic thinker, evidence-based decision maker, and excellent problem solver
- High integrity
- Reflectivity and flexibility
- Outstanding organizational skills
- Compassion and social skills to collaborate effectively with others
- Deep commitment to the mission and vision of Benchmark School
Salary: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Application Process: The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply, please complete the online application below, including:
• A letter of application describing why you are a good fit for the position
• Current resume
• Names and contact information of three professional references