Technology Specialist

Part Time Tech Specialist:  2019-2020 school year

Birches School, a K-8 school offering a nature-based, mindful, interdisciplinary education, is seeking a Technology Teacher for the 2019-2020 school year. This specialist teaching position enables the technology expert to craft an original and highly engaging curriculum for mixed grade elementary and middle school classrooms. The Birches Technology Specialist works to develop and build an engineering program for students in 2nd-8th Grade focused on: engineering problem solving and embedded software skills. The hands-on software projects foster engineering skills and best practice and allow students to apply their skills towards specific goals.  During the academic year, the specialist will train directly with experienced teachers and design and deliver project-driven thematic units that cultivate the academic and social development of students. Specialists are expected to support co-curricular activities (such as tech classes, student presentations, and Explorations Wednesdays) and perform other duties as assigned.  Specialists will attend and participate in monthly all-staff meetings and receive professional support and development from peers and administrators.

A successful candidate will possess many of the following characteristics:

• High energy, maturity, and flexibility

• A growth mindset

• Love of nature and being outside with children

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Desire to collaborate with faculty

• Commitment to the social-emotional development of children (Responsive Classroom skills preferred)

• Commitment to the Birches School mission and culture

• A sense of humor

Responsibilities:

• Plan and execute a technology program for mixed grade groups, 2/3, 4/5, 6, 7/8, respectively

• Organize weekly class time

• Select and coordinate activities related to presentation of tech for community

• Direct and run rehearsals and instructions for tech presentations

• Select books, instrumentation, and instructional aids related to tech

• Maintain tech equipment inventory records

• Manage all tech related equipment

• Communicate and collaborate with core teachers re: each student’s progress and needs related to tech class

• Communicate with Birches community about tech-related activities

• Contribute to each student’s progress report

• Participate in cohesive curriculum developmental related to integrating our three Thematic Unit Topics into tech curriculum each year, where possible

• Organize and run related preparation and activities for the Cambridge Science Festival

• Plan and run Tech Explorations Group: four 6-week mini workshops per year (2nd-8th graders)

• 1st Wednesday of the month, attend monthly staff meetings

• Contribute to Self-Study documentation as it relates to tech program

To apply, please send a single pdf document containing a cover letter and resume to Elizabeth Ten Grotenhuis: elizabeth@birchesschool.org