Computing and Engineering Specialist
SYNAPSE SCHOOL POSITION OVERVIEW
Synapse School in Menlo Park, CA, an innovative TK-8 independent school located in the heart of Silicon Valley dedicated to rethinking and reimagining education, seeks a COMPUTING AND ENGINEERING SPECIALIST.
Synapse School’s mission is to educate a community of change makers by combining social-emotional learning, leading-edge academics, and the practice of innovation. We have an unwavering belief in the capacity of children, and our teachers work alongside our students to unlock their powers of curiosity, discovery, and creativity. Synapse’s program provides a deep and unique range of integrated academic, social, and creative experiences to help children use their hearts and hands to unleash their passion for learning. Synapse draws students from around the San Francisco Bay Area.
The ideal candidate will codesign a robust TK-8 Computational Thinking program as well as teach explicit Computational Thinking classes in grades 5-8. This is a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to bring your passions for education, technology, engineering, and making into a fast-paced, creative school setting to design how Computer Science and Engineering are taught in the TK-8 space. Our Engineering and Design program is integrated, inclusive, and serves all students across the school.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Do you spend your free time tinkering, learning new programming languages, building physical computing projects, fixing things around your house, and engaging with other engineers and makers online and in the community? We are seeking an energetic, creative, passionate educator who wants to help shape an exciting new program alongside some of the most dynamic and exciting educators around.
You will be working alongside our Director of Engineering and Design, Engineering and Design Coordinator and Engineering and Design Specialist to continue developing an exciting new branch of our integrated and inclusive Engineering and Design program. Your daily duties will include teaching, collaborating with your team to create and manage exciting projects, testing new technologies, programming, meeting with teachers to find entry points in their curriculum, refining the Computational Thinking scope and sequence, building cool tech for teachers to use as instructional tools, researching cutting edge educational theory to refine your craft, and working directly with students and teachers in the 11,000+ sqft Engineering and Design Center and their classrooms to help create the best Computational Thinking courses and Engineering and Design program in any TK-8 school.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Teach project-based and differentiated middle school computational thinking classes; teach various Lower School lessons/classes
Teach expertly with high expectations for each student; support the wellbeing of all students
Convey enthusiasm for content and intellectual inquiry
Work with established CT curriculum, while further developing and designing innovative, project-based curriculum
Collaborate with the larger EDC team, and teachers and specialists TK-8
Pursue advanced professional development in order to help the Director of Engineering and Design build out a robust, unparalleled TK-8 Computing and Engineering program
Provide timely and thoughtful feedback to students and parents in the forms of assessments, written narrative feedback, student-parent-teacher conferences, and meetings/conferences with parents
Serve as a Middle School Advisor
Teach middle school electives
Attend faculty, division, and other meetings as needed
Chaperone field trips, overnight trips, expeditions
Implement and reflect on best learning practices
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAITS
Minimum of three years of classroom experience, preferably spanning a variety of grades
A bachelor’s degree is required
An advanced degree is preferred, though not required
Experience in an independent school is preferred, but not required
Ability to practice and obtain new technical skills in areas of carpentry, additive and subtractive fabrication, and other embodied “making” skills and mindsets
Excellent verbal and written skills and ability to communicate with students, parents, and colleagues
Experience designing and implementing project-based, problem-based curriculum, as well as explicit skill development
Desire to be innovative and creative in curriculum design and pedagogy
Self-starting and “hungry” attitude towards ambitious projects
Thrive in ambiguity and complex problem solving environments
Kindness, enthusiasm, creativity, flexibility, adaptability, reliability, a sense of humor, and a love of learning
A passion to work cooperatively with colleagues on a consistent basis and actively cultivate an inclusive environment and support a school community grounded in empathy, social responsibility, and an appreciation and respect for individual differences
Demonstrate investment in continued learning and professional growth, and a passion for supporting children as they grow and learn
Effective classroom management skills
Experience mentoring middle school-aged students to support their personal and social-emotional growth
Success in significantly growing students’ capacity to communicate in a variety of forms, lead among them writing
WORKING CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE:
Ability to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
Ability to stand and circulate for extended periods of time
Ability to communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
Ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Dexterity and physical condition to maintain a vigorous work schedule and meet standards of physical and mental health
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position
Individuals must maintain a professional attitude and appearance
SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS
$90,000-$115,000
Synapse offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and retirement, as well as additional lifestyle perks.
TO APPLY
Please submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your experience and interest in the position, and any other supporting materials you would like to share via email with the subject line “Synapse Computing and Engineering Specialist” to Brian Bicknell, Director of Engineering and Design, [email protected].
Synapse School does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability and familial affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law. All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
https://www.synapseschool.org/community/faculty/careers