Makerspace Coordinator

FT/PT:                       FT beginning fall of 2019

Status:                        Exempt

Reports To:               Assistant Head of School

The Orchard School
Founded in 1922, Orchard is an independent, non-sectarian, Progressive school for 550 students in preschool through the 8th grade. Orchard is committed to advance each student’s academic success, self-confidence, open-mindedness, ethical character, leadership, and love of learning. Located in north Indianapolis on a 43- acre wooded campus with a state-of-the-art facility, Orchard promises academic excellence through a well-rounded education, engaging the natural curiosity of students in an active, child-centered, and experiential learning environment.  We seek, and strive to maintain, a diverse and inclusive school community, and are committed to the principles that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value the skills, knowledge and experiences a diverse workforce brings to our school. 

The Position
The Orchard School's Makerspace facility and program reflects our commitment to inspire a culture of innovation in our community.  Legendary shop teacher Fred Lorenz empowered generations of students to design and build their visions, and Orchard's Makerspace reflects the innovative problem solving and practical applications that are at the heart of hands-on learning.

The Makerspace Coordinator is primarily a teaching position focused on immersing students in Design Thinking and an appreciation for creating and building.  We are looking for an extraordinary teacher of children and adults alike, with a passion for discovery through tools, engineering principles, technology, and making.  S/he will also be an innovative educator with the vision and momentum to create, and continually refine, a curricular scope and sequence that advances Orchard’s mission, philosophy, and enduring commitment to Progressive education. Drawing upon Stanford’s Design Thinking Process (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test), the Makerspace Coordinator will work with students and faculty across our pre-school through eighth-grade program to help them define problems, develop prototypes, and build things by hand.  Beginning with the premise that empathy is at the center of all meaningful design, the instructor will work with students to develop their understanding of a variety of tools and technologies, including woodworking hand and power tools, 3D modeling and printing, circuits and electronics, and robotics. The ideal candidate will have the drive and initiative to expand upon Orchard's long history of teaching students to use tools and technologies to make the world a better place.

Specific Duties

Curricular work

• Promote, oversee, and support all program elements of the Fred Lorenz Makerspace and associated work spaces
• With guidance from the division directors, develop and deliver learning opportunities that invite grade-level and specialty classes to the Fred Lorenz Makerspace
• Design and deliver faculty trainings, and serve as a faculty coach and mentor in the areas of design and fabrication
• Create learning experiences for Orchard students in the fields of design thinking, fabrication, engineering, robotics, coding, and computational thinking

Non-curricular work

• Maintain ultimate responsibility for all operations of the Fred Lorenz Makerspace, including equipment maintenance, supply ordering, budgets, capital purchases, safety procedures, room scheduling, and volunteer coordination
• Maintain an active presence in the local, regional, and national communities of design, making, engineering, and fabrication
• Develop partnerships with external organizations to both support the mission of the Fred Lorenz Makerspace and provide additional learning opportunities for students, both at Orchard and throughout Indianapolis
• Serve in a public-facing capacity to represent the Fred Lorenz Makerspace to external visitors
• Other duties as assigned

Physical Demands

• Mobility to roam 43-acre site and hand dexterity to utilize various shop tools
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications and Attributes

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in related field
• Multiple years of experience as an educator in areas such as design thinking, fabrication, engineering, robotics, coding, or computational thinking
• Experience and comfort working with a wide variety of tools and technologies; including but not limited to woodworking tools, robotics, and 3D printers
• Experience leading workshops, trainings, and projects for faculty
• Excellent organizational and planning skills related to schedules, resource allocation, and long-range planning
• Must be able to travel in and out of town from time to time for training and education
• Must possess a valid and current Indiana driver’s license to utilize Orchard School vehicles on a regular basis
• A commitment to education
• Ability to carry out hands-on, experiential learning activities that advance the targeted learning outcomes
• Affinity and enthusiasm for working with children
• Capacity to inspire children
• Excellent communication skills
• Sound judgment and emotional maturity

Benefits

The Orchard School values our employees and offers a total compensation package designed to attract and retain talented individuals who make our school successful. Benefits include:

• Health and dental insurance
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid long and short-term disability
• Retirement Savings Plan
• 11 paid personal days
• Tuition reimbursement

Candidates should apply by sending a resume and cover letter to hr@orchard.org by Monday, April 15^th.   Please place “Makerspace” in the email subject line.

Orchard values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. Orchard does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or national origin in the administration of its admission, tuition assistance, or employment determination.

The Orchard School is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

For more information about The Orchard School, please visit: www.orchard.org.