Makerspace Teaching Assistant
Job Level
Academic position
Post Date
03/18/2018
Job Category
Teaching Assistant
Sector
Job Status
Areas of Responsibility
The Evergreen School, an independent PS–Grade 8 school serving highly capable students, is currently accepting applications for a Makerspace Teaching Assistant for the 2018-2019 school year.
The Organization
The Evergreen School is located in Shoreline, Washington approximately half a mile north of the city of Seattle. It is fully accredited by NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools). Founded in 1963 to provide a nurturing environment for children with extraordinary minds, Evergreen has grown from an enrollment of 6 in 1963 to a current enrollment of 476 students. The campus facilities have also grown in recent years with the opening of a new gym and theatre in 2000 and the opening of two new academic and administrative buildings in the fall of 2015. The school celebrated its 50th birthday in the 2013-2014 school year, and has recently completed a major campaign for the building project and endowment. Today, in the words of Evergreen’s mission statement: We inspire and empower highly capable, creative learners to lead with curiosity, compassion and courage in an ever-evolving global community.
The Opportunity
The school has completed its third year with a new facility to support student and teacher “making” - innovation, tinkering, design, prototyping and engineering. In the past three years, groups of students across all age levels and in all subject areas visited the facility to invent and test scientific tools, create videos using the green screen, build interactive museum exhibits, laser cut diorama components and engage in many other constructionist projects. Our students and teachers have access to 3D printers, a laser cutter, basic electronics tools, microcontrollers, basic woodworking tools, sewing machines, digital audio and video tools and more.
We are seeking a teaching assistant for the 2018-2019 school year to learn with and assist the makerspace lead teacher, to support student and teacher projects, and keep the lab running at 100% efficiency. This is a one-year position from August 24, 2018 through June 17, 2019, from 8:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. daily working in the lab and possible additional hours per week facilitating after-school classes, dependent on class enrollment.
This is a salaried, full-time, benefits-eligible position for the 2018-2019 school year.
Responsibilities
- maintain 3D printers, laser cutter, and other equipment in good working order
- manage tools and supplies, including supporting organization and monitoring consumables
- learn how to use new tools to support makerspace activities, like microcontroller robotics kits or wearable technology
- support students and teachers in implementing and troubleshooting their projects
- prepare lab space and equipment for scheduled activities, such as rearranging tables between a kindergarten class and an 8th grade class or preparing sewn circuitry kits for a 2nd grade class to use back in their home classroom
- take on other duties as assigned
Education
- A bachelor’s or associate's degree from an accredited college or university preferred
Experience and Desirable Qualities
- enjoys working around and with young children from preschool through 8th grade (ages 3-14), and communicates clearly and patiently with them
- enjoys partnering with other adults, and is supportive and positive when helping them learn new skills
- developing skills in relevant machine maintenance - 3D printers and laser cutters especially
- developing skills in relevant engineering tasks - electronics and microcontrollers, woodworking, sewing
- developing skills in relevant software applications - 3D modeling, video and audio manipulation, Arduino software
- able to work independently, seeks out useful secondary tasks when urgent tasks are completed
- dependable in reporting to work and seldom absent when expected
- able to lift up to 30 pounds
- can stand for 30 or more minutes at a time
Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate’s background and experience and will be competitive with similar positions in Seattle area independent schools.
Applicants should submit their résumé, three references and a cover letter outlining his or her interest in and qualifications for this position to Adam Scheurich at jobs@evergreenschool.org. Please include “Makerspace Teaching Assistant” in the subject line. No telephone calls please. The position will be open until filled.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
The Evergreen School strives to provide equal opportunity to all employees. The school's policy is not to discriminate in employment based on race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status or any other status protected under applicable local, state or federal law. The School is committed to administering employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, terminations, training, sabbaticals, tuition assistance and other programs, without regard to an employee's protected status.