Spark Lab Leader

SPARK LAB LEADER

Rowan‑Salisbury Schools Wallace Educational Forum - Salisbury, North Carolina

This job is also posted in North Carolina School Jobs and Rowan‑Salisbury School System.

• Job : 5687797
• Final date to receive applications: Posted until filled
• Posted: May 04, 2026 4:00 AM (UTC)
• Starting Date: Immediately

Spark Lab Leader

Rowan‑Salisbury Schools, as part of the SparkNC initiative, seeks to hire a creative, innovative individual to support learners across a network of North Carolina public school districts to engage in a new model focused on expanding pathways to high‑tech fields. Learners will have the opportunity to explore high‑tech fields while earning high school credit through a unique, multi‑district collaboration that is learner‑centered, industry‑relevant, and competency‑based.

SparkNC offers opportunities for learners to access rigorous and experiential pathways leading to jobs in high‑tech industry—in areas including artificial intelligence & machine learning, cybersecurity, software development, data analytics, game development and design, computer systems engineering, and user experience design. SparkNC seeks to expand to serve learners throughout North Carolina.

The high‑tech industry is growing rapidly in North Carolina and nationally, with a large and expanding pool of high‑paying jobs available to those with the requisite interest, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Many of these jobs are going unfilled because young people aren’t aware of the opportunities, view them as unattainable, or don’t see clear pathways to pursue them.

SparkNC opens doors for learners to discover, experience, and navigate pathways toward high‑tech jobs. We help learners expand skill sets, build networks, gain confidence, and chart personalized pathways toward these jobs through engaging, connected experiences, resources, and guidance along our Learning Continuum.

We are deliberative and strategic, but also impatient and driven to action. We are passionate about transforming learning, particularly for those who have been disengaged or left behind by traditional systems. We believe strongly in public education and the power of innovative educators to build impactful, personalized learning experiences for all kinds of learners.

Rowan‑Salisbury School System provides comprehensive K‑12 education to students in the Salisbury area and is committed to equity, innovation, and excellence in teaching and learning.

The Spark Lab Leader will join a unique network of innovative educators across North Carolina who will support learners as they progress through various in‑person, blended, and virtual SparkNC learning experiences. This person will provide education, encouragement, and inspiration to learners enrolled in an experience called the “SparkNC High‑Tech Learning Accelerator.” The ideal candidate will have a passion for creativity and transforming education.

We are looking for someone who would be excited for a nontraditional opportunity to design and support learning experiences that meet the needs of each and every learner. The Spark Lab Leader will collaborate with other Spark Lab Leaders, district and school staff, the SparkNC team, and partners from our business community to breathe life into cutting‑edge learning experiences linked to high‑tech fields.

The successful applicant for this role will be deeply driven by two ambitions: (1) a desire to expand pathways into high‑tech fields for North Carolina learners, particularly those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and those from groups that have historically been excluded from these fields; and (2) a deep and abiding commitment to supporting learning experiences that make public schools more learner‑centered, equitable, flexible, and adaptive.

The Spark Lab Leader will serve as the “lead learner” in a new and evolving model. The Spark Lab Leader will be actively engaged in the iterative design of the model and will fulfill the following roles:

• Act…