Upper School Engineering, Science, Robotics Teacher

THE PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE

UPPER SCHOOL ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, ROBOTICS TEACHER

FALL 2021

Devoted to intellectual inquiry, a collaborative spirit of learning, and an appreciation for the diversity of human experience, The Park School of Baltimore is a community founded on positive expectations of our students and respect for individual differences.

We cultivate children’s innate curiosity by nurturing their interests and engaging them as active participants in their own education.

We support young people in becoming confident questioners and responsible citizens of the world. ~The Park School Mission

The Park School is a non-sectarian, independent, coeducational day school of 814 students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. Founded in 1912 as one of the early progressive schools, The Park School continues to practice a distinct educational philosophy. The core values today, as in 1912, are a belief in children’s capacity to love learning, to grow academically and emotionally when inspired by highly qualified, caring teachers, and to develop self-discipline, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills through deep exploration and constant challenge. At every grade level, from Pre-Kindergarten through Upper School, Park actively encourages questioning and conversation as essential elements of the learning process. The school

philosophy emphasizes a belief in positive expectations and expects that students, as they mature, will take increasing responsibility for their own learning.

The Position:

The Park School of Baltimore seeks candidates for a full-time engineering and physics (Core 9) teacher with excellent academic credentials, demonstrated distinction in one or both fields, and a strong record of leading major initiatives. Willingness to supervise and help build and sustain a K-12 Robotics program is preferable. An orientation compatible with Park’s commitment to progressive educational practices is essential.

The engineering and physics (Core 9) teacher will play a unique and visionary role in the Upper School Science Department. While computer science and engineering currently exist within the Upper School, there is growing demand for thoughtful, organic growth of engineering and computer science within the department and the division. We are seeking a dynamic, innovative individual with an eye for creative and collaborative problem solving and program development. 

The Core 9 teacher will play a collaborative role in the Upper School Science Department.  The Science Department has a newly required curriculum in 9^th and 10^th grade.  Core 9 integrates physics with computer science and engineering.  Core 10 fuses biology with chemistry, while offering students the opportunity to apply their engineering and/computer science knowledge to the study of life. The full-time position includes teaching a combination of Core 9 courses, engineering electives, and/or robotics classes, as needed by the department. We are especially interested in a dynamic, innovative person with an eye for creative and collaborative problem solving and program development.

Upper School Science Department Mission:

The Science Department engages and challenges students to develop the ability, confidence, and enthusiasm to inquire about the natural world. The Science Department supports these goals by promoting a durable understanding of the natural world through the integrated study of chemical, biological, and physical principles. Rather than seeing each of these as separate disciplines, we encourage students to grapple with their interaction and mutual influence.

In our classrooms, we emphasize processes of inquiry and thoughtful analysis over rote recitation. Students learn to question what they observe, to look for evidence for and against a particular viewpoint. The emphasis on scientific process encourages an open-minded and rigorous independence of thought that students then bring to bear on the world around them.

The Science Department feels strongly that students should have the opportunity to pursue advanced work. We feel that this is best accomplished by offering a rich elective program with curricula designed to meet the interests and passions of students.

Qualifications:

• A degree in physics, engineering, or relevant teaching experience. 
• Interest in and/or experience with integrating engineering or coding in the science classroom.
• Previous involvement in and/or curiosity of FLL, FTC or FRC Robotics.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborative curriculum development.
• Some experience with, or a willingness to develop, exciting electives within areas of expertise and interest.
• Teaching experience at the Upper School level preferred.
• Openness to cultural competency work.
• Orientation to progressive education and pedagogy.

Additional Considerations

• In addition to dynamic classroom teaching, successful candidates may have experience in one or more of the following:  original research, program development, science immersion experiences, robotics, grant writing
• Knowledge of the complementary nature of physics, engineering and/or computer science, and energy for interdisciplinary curriculum design.
• Interest in building projects and/or opportunities for civic engagement that give students opportunities to demonstrate their understanding in the greater Baltimore community.

Responsibilities:

All Upper School Science Department courses include formal and informal assessments and written reports. In addition to a full-time teaching schedule, the new faculty member will attend weekly faculty and department meetings, serve on school-wide committees, and share in regularly assigned duties such as Advisory and X-Block Activities (clubs).  The teacher participates fully in the life of Park’s Upper School as well as the K-12 Science Department.

Salaries and Benefits:        

Park salaries and benefits are highly competitive with those in other leading independent schools.  For new appointments, salaries reflect experience and training equated to Park’s scales.

In addition to normal retirement and health benefits, the school offers the following distinctive programs:

Faculty & Curricular Advancement (FACA) Program: This program

Supports summer professional development work by faculty on a distinctive scale. Established in 1989, FACA is supported by a $5.9 endowment; currently, over 40% of all Park faculty participate annually. Grants cover full salary and benefits for group or individual projects selected through a formal review process. Grants range from one to four weeks.

Tuition Remission: Under current policy, employees who have been employed at Park full-time for two years are eligible to receive full tuition remission for their children who attend Park. All applicants, including employee children, must meet Park’s standards for admission. During the first two years of employment, employees can apply for support through the need-based financial assistance program.