Director of Innovation and Design Thinking

Fenn seeks a full-time Director of Innovation and Design Thinking to assist its teachers as they integrate the principles of design thinking and project-based learning into the School’s curriculum. A member of the Academic Department Chair group, reporting to the Assistant Head of School for the Academic Program, this individual serves as the primary ambassador for Fenn’s design thinking efforts, its maker program, and its 3,000 square-foot Stone Family Innovation Lab. Opened in 2018, the Innovation Lab has large spaces for hands-on projects and multiple classes; a “clean room” for coding, programming, and focused instruction; and cutting-edge digital, electronic, and physical equipment.

A successful candidate will possess qualities that enable them to easily collaborate, teach, and coach faculty. This individual will also have a strong background in curriculum design, experience teaching at the upper elementary and middle school levels, and an established track-record of implementing the principles of design thinking and project-based learning in schools. The Director will work closely with teachers to design dynamic and interactive student-centered curriculum focused on authentic deeper learning and problem-solving. The Director will also determine how to use the tools of the modern classroom (including those found in an Innovation Lab and educational technology applications associated with innovation and design thinking in grades four through nine).

Finally, this individual will have an appreciation for working with energetic elementary and middle school boys excited for the projects and learning they undertake in this space as well as an interest in contributing to a “maker” culture that cultivates empathy, anti-bias mindset, curiosity, self-advocacy, creativity, iteration, innovation, tinkering, and entrepreneurship.

The Fenn School is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty and student body. A successful candidate will, therefore, be a proactive and collaborative educator who is also committed to the manifestation of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the Fenn community. The ideal candidate will be able to support Fenn’s mission in all work with students, parents, faculty, and staff. Fenn strongly encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Responsibilities:

• Act as a faculty guide and coach to encourage, inspire, and support teachers in their exploration of purposeful uses of our Innovation Lab as they develop project-based learning curriculum.

• Collaboratively design, coordinate, and provide design thinking and technology professional development for faculty;

• Collaborate with all teachers (academic, arts, athletics) to integrate design thinking and technology into their curriculum;

• Collaborate with non-academic departments (alumni, advancement, admissions, etc.) as needed to demonstrate innovation and design thinking concepts.

• Actively collaborate with the Director of Technology to integrate the resources and curriculum from these departments with the resources available in our iLab;

• Work closely with the Director of Technology and faculty to foster an environment of thoughtful, creative, and independent use of technology throughout the academic program;

• Develop and implement scope and sequence of coding, technology, maker space and design thinking skills;

• Enthusiastically champion successes of students and faculty in their achievements with design thinking, project-based learning, and the use of technology across all grades and subjects;

• Develop curricular and co-curricular student programming focused on the use of the tools and materials located in the iLab as well as on exploring and mastering coding skills;

• Develop outreach opportunities for faculty, staff, parents, and other community members to foster and develop the creative opportunities offered by the iLab space;

• Coordinate supervision of the iLab each day before school and during recess and most afternoons after the conclusion of the school day;

• Oversee scheduling and overall management of the iLab, including establishing best practices and protocols for the space;

• The possibility of teaching an elective art course in graphic design, digital art, or another related field.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; additional training and experience in a related field preferred;

• Experience teaching at the upper elementary and middle school levels;

• Demonstrated ability to lead students and adults through the innovation and design thinking process;

• Knowledge of design thinking and project-based learning (PBL) principles and experience helping faculty design curriculum that applies these practices to teaching and learning;

• Willingness to research, learn, and share new technologies with students and faculty;

• Expertise and significant experience with the use and maintenance of the equipment typically found in an Innovation Lab, including 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and laser cutters;

• Experience designing activities and curriculum that use the equipment typically found in an Innovation Lab, and conducting professional development in these areas;

• Significant computer programming/coding experience, preferably with Scratch and Lego EV3 programming language as well as a high comfort level with Lego robotics engineering;

• Experience with the Google suite of applications on iOS, OS X, and Windows devices.

Fenn offers a highly competitive salary and a generous benefits package. Interested candidates are asked to submit a letter of interest, resume, statement of educational philosophy, and contact information for professional references via email attachment to John Sharon, Assistant Head of School for the Academic Program, at the following email address: employment@fenn.org. Receipt of materials will be acknowledged via email.

The Fenn School does not discriminate in hiring or terms or conditions of employment on the basis of sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, age, marital status, military or veteran status, application for military service, race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.