STEAM Program Director

Friends Select School is searching for a program director to lead the STEAM efforts grades 5-12 for the 2018-19 school year. In recent years, the school has grown in these key areas: in the lower school (preK-4), many students are part of First Lego League, Jr., they are learning Scratch, and they are working with Little Bits; the middle school (5-8) has partnered with the STEAM Program Director to incorporate design thinking into a majority of curricular and co-curricular areas; moving forward, the middle school is working on better integrating technology into its practice; in the upper school (9-12), the school offers courses in robotics, computer science, and engineering, as well as robotics team competition; the Middle and Upper School STEAM Program Director is also central to interdisciplinary work, school-wide professional development, and project-based learning in both divisions. 

The ideal candidate will have a knowledge of middle and upper school, a history of working with students on coding and building, and the vision and drive to grow the program. In addition to teaching computer science, robotics, and engineering courses, the successful candidate will advise the various robotics clubs and other classes, coordinate weekend and evening competitions, and oversee the STEAM Lab. As the program director, the candidate should anticipate the needs of the program, set priorities for the school, oversee the STEAM Lab room use, and have the interpersonal skills to bring projects and new initiatives to fruition.

The STEAM Program Director works closely and collaboratively with the Lower School STEAM Librarian. 

The ideal candidate will have most of the following:

• Master's degree preferred and five+ years experience teaching in schools.
• Familiarity with Quaker education and independent schools.
• A strongly collaborative mindset and approach.
• Knowledge and experience using art-based and open-ended perspectives in problem solving. 
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge and/or experience of maker spaces and design thinking.
• A passion for computer science and knowledge of programming languages.
• Experience working with students on coding, building, and robotics.
• Solid understanding of math and computational thinking.
• An ability to articulate the importance of STEAM in the 21st century.

Send a resume, cover letter, and three references to Chris Kottkamp at chrisk@friends-select.org. References will not be contacted without the consent of the candidate. The position will remain up until the position is filled.

Friends Select School is a 590-student, co-educational, pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, college preparatory, independent school located in center city Philadelphia. The school carries out its mission in a manner reflective of the spiritual and social testimonies of the Religious Society of Friends.

As a Quaker school committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, FSS actively seeks and warmly welcomes applicants from diverse and underrepresented populations. Friends Select School provides programs and services and equal opportunity in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, financial aid programs, employment and the selection of its governing board without regard to gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, handicap status, or any status recognized by federal, state and local civil rights and non-discrimination laws.