Academic Technology Specialist

Summary

It is not often that a PK-12 institution creates a position that singularly represents a new strategic vision for the school. A position that will work with the entire upper school on a journey to not only reimagine traditional teaching and learning. A position that sits squarely and authentically at the intersection of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurialism, serving as the conduit between those disciplines and the traditional academic program of grades 5-12.  A position that will have a chance to be a substantial part new program from the ground up through iteration and experimentation.

That school is San Diego Jewish Academy, a PK-12 school in the Carmel Valley community of San Diego. And that position is Upper School Academic Technology Specialist. This new role, which begins in July 2018 and is the first step of a bold and exciting strategic vision, reports to the Director, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking.

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Deadline: March 29th

Decision Announced: May 5th

Start Date: July 1, 2018 (or earlier if mutually agreeable)

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Promote a culture of curricular innovation

• Facilitate professional development and growth experiences for faculty in areas of curricular innovation

• Establish strong partnerships with members of the faculty to explore new instructional methods, innovative technologies, and externally-focused learning opportunities for students

• Run on-campus workshops, trainings, clubs, design challenges, and other similar experiences for teachers and students for the purpose of promoting innovation, risk taking, and entrepreneurialism 

Collaborates with upper school teachers

• On project planning that utilizes innovative approaches to learning and embed entrepreneurial skills within students

• To digital tools that will empower students and foster active learning environments

• Co-teaching, supporting, empowering teachers to develop innovative skills

Teach 1-2 Math Courses within the Upper School

General

• Serve on academic, innovation, and technology committees within the upper school

• Assist the technology coordinator in identifying and troubleshooting software, hardware and IT issues within the upper school

• Collaborate with Lower School Academic Technology specialist to ensure vertical alignment between programs

• Other duties as assigned

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND PERSONAL QUALITIES

San Diego Jewish Academy is looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Experience as a lead teacher or coordinator of innovation, technology, instructional design, design thinking, or professional development at a school; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is a minimum requirement, though a graduate degree in innovation, technology, instructional design, educational leadership, or related field is highly desirable

• A successful history of designing, implementing, and improving a broad spectrum of professional development experiences for educators

• Experience proposing, piloting, assessing, and managing new strategic initiatives in classrooms, with a particular focus on areas of technology and innovation

• Experience presenting teacher and student work internally and externally

• Experience as an instructional leader within middle and/or upper school settings

• A passion for educational technology, instructional design, pedagogical innovation, and professional growth, and a capacity to instill that passion in others

• Fluency with Mac and PC platforms

• Excellent relational and communication skills

• A collaborative, cooperative,  patient, and growth mindset.