Lower School Tech Educator 24-25

Friends School is a Quaker, co-educational, college preparatory school, Pre-K through Grade 12, in Baltimore City, enrolling 835 students, 41% of whom identify as children of color. We are guided by the Quaker ideals of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. We strive to be a purposefully inclusive community that reflects the racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, and religious diversity of our city and our region.

Educators at Friends are expected to model and foster the habits of mind we believe are essential to an outstanding education: creativity, curiosity, empathy, reflection, and resilience. We seek educators whose teaching styles and experiences demonstrate:

• A desire to understand diverse attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and practices and to incorporate a culturally responsive lens into teaching and learning.
• A record of successful collaboration with colleagues, families, and students.
• A commitment to lifelong learning, and ongoing professional development.
• An ability to infuse technology to enhance student learning.
• An openness to interdisciplinary teaching.
• An appreciation for and understanding of the social and emotional development of students.
• Flexibility, optimism, and a sense of humor.

Employment Opportunity:We are currently seeking a Lower School Tech Educator to begin mid-August 2024. This individual teaches coding to Pre-Primary and Lower School students, digital citizenship, and information literacy in tandem with the Lower School Librarian. Experience with STEAM, interdisciplinary programs, and project/inquiry-based learning is an added bonus. This person is a member of the Lower School Library and Technology team and works closely with cross-divisional partners to ensure alignment in our computer science scope and sequence. As Tech Educator, this individual manages the 1:1 Chromebook program for grades 3-5, and supports use of iPads in grades Pre-K to grade 2. The Tech Educator also gives first level tech support to Lower School faculty including use of the Learning Management System, and other EdTech platforms, and organizes tech-related professional development for new and returning faculty. The Library/Makerspace is a hub of activity and Lower School students are engaged in a host of activities in this shared teaching space. The Lower School Librarian oversees the Library, while the Tech Educator oversees the Makerspace. Integration of technology into the curriculum is a hallmark of our program and we are seeking someone who loves to collaborate.

Status: Full-time non-exempt during the academic year (mid-August through mid-June)

Hours:

Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

Primary Responsibilities:

• Honor the Quaker values and the Teaching and Learning Paradigm of Friends School.
• Develop and teach curriculum to support coding and the computer science scope and sequence campus-wide.
• Collaborate with teachers in the Library and Technology Department, within the division, and cross-divisionally.
• Manage Makerspace materials for multiple classes in a shared teaching space.
• Attend All-School Professional Days, Team meetings, and Lower School Faculty meetings.
• Help move the initiatives of the School forward by serving on committees and lending expertise and voice.
• Support school-wide and divisional initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:The preferred candidate for this position will have teaching experience and a passion for working with Lower School students and faculty. Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Familiar with Chromebooks/Windows/Mac/iOS devices
• Proficient in the use of Google Workspace
• Experienced with tools such as: Scratch, Tynker, Makey Makey, micro:bit and Bee-Bot
• Able to collaborate with the Librarian to teach information literacy, digital citizenship and media literacy
• Open to working with Lower School faculty to develop new and existing curriculum and integrate technology
• Flexible and willing to collaborate
• Skilled at leading professional development for adults
• Responsive and possess good communication skills
• Organized and detail-oriented

Context and Philosophy: Friends School of Baltimore was founded in 1784. By setting high standards of excellence for a diverse and caring community, Friends School seeks to develop in each student the spiritual, intellectual, physical, and creative strengths to make a positive contribution to the world.

The faculty and staff of Friends support the mission of the School through their commitment to a collaborative work environment, to which they contribute joy, passion, sense of humor, organization, and flexibility. Regardless of position, Friends School employees interact with students and colleagues in a respectful and warm manner.

In addition to a commitment to the fundamental ideals of Quaker education, Friends School faculty members are expected to model and foster the habits of mind, which we believe are essential to an outstanding 21st century education: creativity, curiosity, empathy, reflection, and resilience.

Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates should apply with their resume, cover letter, and supporting documents to the link on the School website. A search committee will review candidate information and will contact those candidates with whom they are interested in speaking.

Friends School of Baltimore actively promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in all programs and operations, including admissions, financial aid, and hiring. To form a community which strives to reflect the world's diversity, we do not discriminate on the basis of race or color, religion, nationality, ethnicity, economic background, physical ability, sex, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation. Friends School of Baltimore is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates of color and members of other underrepresented groups who might enrich and diversify the school community are strongly encouraged to apply.