Maker Lab Teacher, Grades 3-5

Maker Lab Teacher, Grades 3-5 (Full Time )

Schechter Boston is looking for a curious, hands-on educator to teach our 3rd through 5th grade Maker Lab. This is a teaching position first and foremost: the heart of the job is being with students in the Maker Lab, running projects where they design, build, test, and revise. The position reports to the Director of Arts and Innovation and is supported by our teacher coaches and grade-level teams.

Schechter Boston creates a Jewish educational experience where each student 15 months through eighth grade, will be known, belong, be engaged, be inspired and be prepared. Faculty, staff and students at Schechter benefit from a highly collaborative, mutually supportive environment in which each person’s individual strengths are recognized and cultivated, and are vital to the success and learning of the community as a whole.

Individuals who work at Schechter Boston must thrive in a culture that lives every day by the following cultural values:

• Believing there is no limit to better
• Providing honest and kind feedback
• Failing forward
• Being kinder than necessary

• Teach Maker Lab to all students in grades 3-5
• Plan and lead hands-on units in design, building, and problem solving, starting from an existing curriculum and adapting it to your students
• Teach safe, confident use of tools and materials with elementary-age students, and keep the Maker Lab organized, stocked, and in safe working order
• Partner with classroom teachers to connect Maker Lab projects to what students are learning in science, math, and other subjects
• Meet regularly with the Director of Arts & Innovation for coaching and feedback, and participate in professional development
• Share student work with families and colleagues through displays, showcases, and school-wide STEM events
• Order supplies and materials for the Maker Lab within an established budget
• Take a share of the school's supervisory duties, such as recess, lunch, or dismissal
• Attend all relevant faculty meetings
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

• Genuine enthusiasm for working with children in grades 3-5
• Comfort with hands-on making, and eagerness to learn what you do not yet know: some mix of cardboard and craft materials, hand tools, basic electronics, beginner coding (Scratch, micro:bit), and 3D printing
• Bachelor's degree, ideally with coursework or background in science, engineering, computing, mathematics, art, or design
• Experience working with children in a school, camp, museum, or after-school setting
• Strong organizational skills and follow-through, including keeping a shared, materials-heavy space orderly and safe
• Clear written and oral communication with students, families, and colleagues
• Openness to feedback and coaching, and willingness to make your practice public by inviting colleagues in to observe and reflect
• Flexibility and good humor when a project does not go the way it was planned

The Maker Lab Teacher will be a 10 month employee, but will be expected to engage in planning and professional development for two weeks in the summer.

Competitive salary; commensurate with experience

We thrive to provide a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package that supports our faculty and staff, including: health insurance, prescription drug benefit, vision, healthcare/dependent care flexible spending account (FSA), long term disability, life insurance, 403(b) with employer matching, tuition reduction for employees’ children, paid holidays, sick time and personal time, and early dismissal on Fridays.