STEM Teacher & Integration Specialist

Department/Location: Upper School Faculty, St. Louis
Organizational Relationships: Reports directly to the School Science Department Chair. Works closely with the Media Studies teacher, the Education Technology Director, and the Upper School Principal. Oversees the other SmartLab Facilitators.
Key Job Functions: This position will create a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) learning environment where students will explore interests in robotics, circuitry, graphic design, engineering, etc. Instruction is delivered in the form of project-based, student-centered learning communities.
Work-related Expectations:
STEM classes will be open to students from grades 9-12. Students work in pairs on self-paced, multi-stage engagements with specific deliverables required for completion.

Teaching and Learning

• Coaches students on the use of lab hardware and software, guide students through completion of the projects, and grade completed projects based on rubrics.

• Proactively works with Upper School faculty on ways to integrate STEM into classrooms across the Upper School.

• Coaches & Supports Upper School Robotics Competitions. Fosters and develops mentor relationships with the broader community to support these programs.

• Advocating for the STEM program and will work with faculty members, students, and parents on the capabilities and use of the STEM equipment and materials.

• Aiding in the research, implementation, training, and support of instructional technology in the SmartLab and in the School classrooms.

• Establishing an exemplary classroom culture that balances high expectations with love and support.

• Develops authentic assessments that demonstrate student transfer of knowledge from CLS SmartLabs Curriculum

• Maintain, troubleshoot and incorporate the use of different technological tools (3-D Printers, C&C machine, etc.)

Professional Development

• Becomes a part of a strong and supportive professional learning community.

• Willing to be trained in and embrace both the SLII leadership model and in Clifton Strengths-Based Leadership

• Attend Professional Development once a year with Creative Smart Labs.

• Attend and actively participate in Principia professional development when not in conflict with STEM activities.

• Oversees other SmartLab Facilitators K-12. Meets regularly as a team to align curriculum and maintain facilities.

Business Office

• Ability to maintain equipment, keep an accurate inventory, and to spend within allocated budgets.

• Works with the Business Office to write grants to seek funding or funding matching to support the Principia STEM program

STEM Program

• Explore possible STEM summer camp opportunities.

Professional Characteristics:

• High-energy level; energetic and enthusiastic

• Creative & comfortable promoting innovation

• Be comfortable ceding responsibility for learning to their students

• Understand how to coach and challenge each student

• Excellent classroom management in an environment where learning is highly individualized and many different learning activities are taking place simultaneously

• Excellent organizational skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with administration, students, parents, the community, and industry.

• Encourages true cross-curriculum integration through collaboration with instructors of other disciplines

• Progressive. Strives to improve and upgrade the program to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology. Grows with the changes and adapts the environment as technology improves.

• Fosters a love of learning

• Is a team player

• Can manage multiple activities

• Allows students to experiment and take risks

• Models, promotes, coaches, and encourages learning by exploration

• Willingness and ability to implement a cooperative learning environment

Key Competencies: Candidates’ overall outlook and approach to life and learning are just as important to us as appropriate qualifications and experience. Principia School seeks individuals who are . . .

• Positive: We appreciate team members who are optimistic, positive, and focused on elevating and bringing out the very best in themselves and others. We are a strengths-based organization; faculty and staff are expected to understand teammates’ strengths and how they can complement each other.

• Team players: The ability to collaborate and partner with peers and senior administrators is critical. The School has a strong team-centered leadership approach. Staff are expected to be able to listen, give and receive feedback, and be comfortable exchanging ideas and speaking candidly in a professional and collegial manner. They must bring a constructive outlook to partnering with a wide range of stakeholders—administrators, faculty, coaches, houseparents, marketers, and fundraisers, among others.

• Innovators: Given our fast-moving, ever-changing world, all School employees are expected to demonstrate a problem-solving mindset that helps our team come up with creative solutions to challenging issues. The School emphasizes continual improvement and expects staff to have a mentality of self-improvement and organizational excellence.

• Strategic thinkers: We prize the ability to consider complex topics from multiple perspectives and offer innovative solutions.

Principia's Vision: Principia is a Christian Science community of practice. Through transformative opportunities, a challenging curriculum, and character education based on the teachings of Christian Science, we examine, test, and strengthen our faith while developing the skills and understanding requisite for excellence. As global, outward-looking, inspired learners, we serve and better the world.
Minimum Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree.

• Master’s Degree is preferred with a minimum of three years teaching experience in grades 9-12.

• Experience with problem/project-based learning and/or STEAM education is preferred.

• Background in teaching science, math, computer science, mechanical/electrical engineering, graphic arts, design, CAD/drafting, research and development, electronics, or physics is preferred.

• Experience in any of these fields is also preferred, even without teaching experience, candidates will be considered who demonstrate a willingness to learn a pedagogical approach to teaching children while maintaining a sense of passion and enthusiasm for STEM subjects and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.

Candidates are expected to learn:

• A variety of application software packages and their purpose in the learning environment including CAD software, GarageBand, Adobe Premiere Elements, Adobe InDesign, basic coding, etc.

• Archiving student work

• Use of Google Drive, including Google certification