Maker Lab Teacher

Presidio Knolls School is seeking a dynamic and experienced Maker Lab Teacher.

About Presidio Knolls School

PKS was founded on the idea that a progressive educational model can be combined with rigorous Mandarin immersion to create a vibrant, innovative school where children will thrive in a joyful environment. Founded in 2008, we have grown rapidly and established a unique position in the Bay Area’s independent school community. As of the 2018-2019 school year, PKS enrolls 350 students in preschool through sixth grade, and we will continue to add one grade per year until 2020 when there will be a full preschool through eighth grade.

The progressive philosophy of Presidio Knolls School embraces kids as co-collaborators in their education- helping children to shape their own learning journey toward topics of greatest interest. The PKS curriculum is project-based and interdisciplinary; Units of Exploration integrate math, science, social studies, art, drama, and movement around overarching topics of inquiry in English and Chinese, contextualizing all learning through a real-world lens. Critical to this approach is hands-on, experiential instruction. As such, learning often takes place outside of the classroom.

Job Description

The Maker Lab Teacher will partner with the Elementary and Middle School Division Heads and classroom teachers to provide authentic, project-based and experiential learning opportunities for our K-8 students. PKS is at the beginning stages of building a world-class STEAM program and we are seeking an educator who is passionate about and dedicated to empowering the maker in every child. The ideal candidate will understand how to create real-world learning experiences and foster a design mentality and spirit of innovation within a progressive learning environment. The strongest candidates will have experience working with faculty members and students in a diverse learning environment that features an interdisciplinary and project-based curriculum.

We are seeking a Maker Lab Teacher whose experience, talent, and energy will inspire and equip students with not only skills and proficiencies, but also a deep sense of the designed world and their own potential as creative, real-world designers, makers, and problem-solvers.

The position reports to the Head of Upper Elementary School and is an exempt position.

Specific Responsibilities

• Partner with teachers to further develop the STEAM areas of their Units of Exploration.

• Develop and teach Maker Lab classes across K-8 grade levels. 

• Develop and teach stand-alone science demonstrations/labs based on CA Common Core curriculum to complement and supplement scientific concepts taught in the Units of Exploration 

• Engage students in design and making related to classroom study and independent inquiry.

• Work with students on individual or small group projects.

• Provide coaching and modeling for teachers in design thinking, student assessment, lesson design, and related instructional delivery, including effective teaching and learning strategies.

• Provide expertise to teachers about projects they would like to offer and co-teach as needed

• Use documentation to make learning visible to the children, parents, and larger community, and as a basis of your own reflection and professional growth.

• Develop and articulate a continuum of Maker skills, experiences and mindsets across grades K-8.

Skills and Qualities

• Experience across multiple fabrication domains, with a steadfast focus on safety.

• Ability to develop, build, define, stock, and organize lab space.

• Experience developing and implementing safety, maintenance, and tracking systems.

• High energy, organized, reliable; sense of humor and strong communication skills.

• Ability to connect with students who may have difficulties engaging in other academic areas.

• The desire and ability to contribute to student and community life inside and outside the classroom.

• A commitment to social justice and multicultural education.

Qualifications

• BA and prior teaching experience required.

• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver meaningful Maker experiences across K-8 grade levels.

• Teaching Credential / Master’s degree preferred.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.

To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume and Statement of Philosophy and Beliefs by email with the subject line as Maker Teacher to: employment@presidioknolls.org.

Presidio Knolls School offers equal opportunity to all, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national origin, ethnicity, age, sex or disability or other protected class status under any applicable laws. Employment will be contingent on successful completion of a background check.