Makerspace Director

Founded in 1906, St. Mark's School of Texas is a non-sectarian, college-preparatory, independent day school for boys in grades one through twelve. The School’s charter states that it is “designed to afford its students well-rounded physical, intellectual, moral, and religious training and instruction.” The School is intended to be a diverse community of teachers and students who share a love of learning and who strive for high achievement in whatever they undertake.

St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world. To this end, the School professes and upholds certain values. These values include the discipline of postponing immediate gratification in the interests of earning eventual, hard-won satisfaction; the responsibility of defending one’s own ideas, of respecting the views of others, and of accepting the consequences for one’s own actions; and an appreciation for the lively connection between knowledge and responsibility and the obligation to serve.

Position Description
St. Mark’s School of Texas is seeking a Makerspace Director to coordinate engineering education in the newly constructed, state-of-the-art engineering facilities in the Winn Science Center. The Makerspace will be an engineering and design hub for students and teachers across all Divisions of the School. The role of the Director will include developing, supporting, and overseeing a wide range of activities in the engineering sciences, including curricular and co-curricular activities as well as partnering with teachers to assist them in their desire to integrate engineering projects into their classrooms. The most competitive candidates will have a background in engineering, design thinking, and technology and will have experience working with students in a school setting. In addition to expertise in workflow organization, equipment maintenance, and project management, the Makerspace Director will provide opportunities for students to utilize the engineering spaces and will assist teachers with using the Makerspace to complement their classroom instruction.

The Makerspace at St. Mark’s will be equipped with laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, other computer-aided design equipment, and fundamental tools for working with wood, electronics, metal, and other materials. In addition to being skilled in engineering and design, the Makerspace Director will coordinate the schedule and manage the physical safety for students and faculty.

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a vibrant learning community, and successful candidates will have a love of working with boys and will be generative in the ways they think about teaching and learning. Character and leadership education is an important element of the School’s program that spans all Divisions and is integrated throughout the curriculum. 
 

Responsibilities

• Providing inspiration and support for faculty and students in developing and implementing new, innovative learning opportunities

• Facilitating workshops and training for faculty and students in areas including, but not limited to, making, engineering, innovation, problem-based learning, and design thinking

• Maintaining the machines, tools, materials, and Makerspace schedule to ensure that supply inventory and software updates are current

• Operating and helping others safely use makerspace tools including the laser cutter, 3D printers, robotics kits, electronics, hand tools, power tools, and other equipment

• Serving as a catalyst, coach, and collaborator to bring teachers’ innovative ideas into reality

• Researching and developing innovative maker activities

• Creating extra-curricular opportunities for student engagement

• Teaching a section of students in an area relevant to the science department program

• Serving as an advisor

• Guiding the Middle and Upper School robotics teams as a coach and mentor

Experience / Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, computer science, or relevant field; Master’s degree preferred

• Classroom teaching experience

• Background in design thinking protocols and science, technology, and engineering fields

• Experience with automated manufacturing tools, including laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC routers, and other equipment

• Experience collaborating with teachers to improve instruction and integrate technology

• Fluency with multiple operating software and technology platforms

• Ability to articulate a compelling, energetic vision, and generate enthusiasm among students and faculty

• Excellent communication and organization skills

• Collaborative, flexible, responsible working style, a team-player

• Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment

• Good sense of humor, flexibility, and enthusiasm for working with young people

Qualified applicants should email a letter of interest, resume, and a statement of teaching philosophy to recruitment@smtexas.org.
Please look for an email confirming receipt of your materials.