Educational Technology Media Specialist

Founded in 1961, Sandy Spring Friends School is a progressive, coed, academically-rigorous day and boarding school serving approximately 600 students from age three through 12th grade. The campus is located on 140 acres in the historic Sandy Spring area of Montgomery County, Maryland, and the School is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education and accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools.

SSFS offers an inquiry-based college preparatory program that emphasizes deep understanding throughout the curriculum while encouraging collaboration, instilling confidence, fostering practical experience, and cultivating respect for others. The School's teachers help students internalize a process we call "QRA” —Question, Reflection, Action—which ensures that they think critically, integrate new knowledge, and apply what they learn. We help students develop their individual sense of purpose as they become caring citizens of the world.

Our school’s culture, rooted in the idea that collaboration engenders achievement, can be traced to our Quaker heritage and abiding belief in the Quaker values of simplicity, equality, honesty, stewardship of the environment, and peaceful resolution of conflict. Our teachers are lifelong mentors and strive to identify and cultivate each student’s intellectual, extracurricular, and social passions. In doing so, we help shape students whose actions speak volumes and whose lives become exemplars—not only among their peers and families today but also in their personal, educational, and professional communities long after high school. Sandy Spring Friends School students are taught to act upon what they learn. This call to action propels their accomplishments as graduates, in college, and beyond. 

Educational Technology Media Specialist, Full-time, 10 months, Exempt (salaried)

Summary: Sandy Spring Friends School seeks an Inquiry Guide who will serve as part of a team of librarians and educational technology specialists responsible for the use of information and information technology across its PK-12 academic program.   At Sandy Spring Friends School, Inquiry Guide work covers a range of library, technology, and maker integration responsibilities, delivered along with a team of Library and Educational Technology Specialists.

Essential Job Functions:  An Inquiry Guide supports teaching faculty and student support staff in their roles to deliver a high-quality educational experience for Sandy Spring Friends students, through the effective and creative use of information and technology.  This will involve daily work collaborating with teachers and students in classrooms, participating in library services work, promoting media literacy, integrating technology, building maker skills, and collaborating with Inquiry Guide team members to maintain and improve information integration across the School. This position serves as the liaison to the Middle school as well as teaches one coding course in the Middle School. Inquiry Guides report to the Director of Inquiry Guides.

Knowledge and Skill Set Requirements:  The ideal candidate will have a degree or commensurate experience in technology integration, library or media sciences, or a closely related field, and a strong desire to work with students and faculty, especially at the middle school level.  The ideal candidate will have, at minimum, basic knowledge of at least one programming language.  Knowledge of Scratch, JavaScript, Python, and/or Swift coding languages is highly desirable.  Candidates should be able to describe significant work experience assisting teachers with integrating technology into their classroom teaching as well as experience with library operations.  A collaborative approach and outstanding interpersonal and written communication skills are essential. Candidates should be skilled at making technical subjects accessible to those without technical training. Classroom teaching experience in a PK-12 school is highly desirable.  Knowledge of Quaker history and education is desirable, but not required.

Physical Requirements:  The ability to navigate stairs as part of daily routines; mobility around a large campus with uneven pavement; bending and squatting as required to participate in activities; lifting/carrying boxes up to 25 pounds; and the ability to maneuver as necessary within a regular classroom and office setting.

Commitment to Diversity: Sandy Spring Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or a person's status as a qualified candidate with a disability in administration of its educational program, admission policies, financial aid program, staff hiring, and other school-administered programs.