Middle School Design Teacher

Mackintosh Academy - Boulder, a co-educational independent school serving gifted students in grades K through 8 is seeking .5 FTE Middle School (6th - 8th) Design Teacher for the 2025-2026 academic year. Mackintosh Academy - Boulder presents an exceptional opportunity to work with bright, dedicated, and creative students and colleagues within a caring community that is innovative, student-centered, and surrounded by natural beauty.

We seek a candidate who values the balance of intellectually challenging and creative programs with developmentally appropriate and research-based practices. Our excellent student-teacher ratios allow for highly differentiated instruction and education of the whole child. We take a strengths-centered approach in offering an academically strong, child-focused and differentiated curriculum for gifted and creative children.

Position Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and collaborative Middle School (MS) Design Teacher to design and deliver an engaging, inquiry and empathy-based design curriculum. This role involves fostering curiosity and innovation in our adolescent learners through hands-on, project-based experiences aligned with the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy and framework. The ideal candidate will collaborate with colleagues to integrate the design curriculum into other content areas making cross-curricular connections for our students while also fostering their own curiosities and passions.

Position Description

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design and implement a design curriculum (i.e. foundational in design thinking, technology skills, making, engineering, robotics, and coding) for middle school aged students that is inquiry-driven, empathy-based, and developmentally appropriate.
• Plan, prepare and deliver instructional activities that facilitate active learning experiences incorporating the best practices of lesson design.
• Establish and communicate clear learning objectives through backwards planning and the facilitation of lessons.
• Develop and facilitate project-based learning experiences that encourage critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Align design instruction with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework, ensuring an interdisciplinary approach.
• Assess students’ learning and maintain accurate and complete records of our students’ progress and academic development.
• Collaborate closely with the lower school Design teacher and the other middle school teachers to design and integrate lessons that reinforce and extend students’ learning across subjects.
• Provide expertise, experience and support to students, faculty and the community in their Design projects.
• Create a student-centered classroom environment that fosters design thinking, creativity, and innovation.
• Ensure the design lab is an inviting, open and safe space for all.
• Foster and maintain effective communication with families, colleagues, and administration.
• Manage and maintain classroom resources, including tools, 3D printers and other key learning materials; train students and faculty on tools and equipment found within the Design Lab and ensure safety of all.
• Organize and facilitate design-related events, experiential learning experiences, and community partnerships that enrich students’ learning.
• Stay current with best practices in design education, inquiry-based learning, and the IB philosophy, engaging in professional development as needed.
• Participate fully in staff meetings and school professional development.
• Actively participate in the fostering of a positive middle school culture through opportunities such as day field trips, extended educational trips, clubs, homeroom and house activities, among others.
• Other tasks or duties as assigned.
• Support the overall mission of Mackintosh Academy - Boulder.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. Masters preferred.
• Experience in gifted education and/or International Baccalaureate programs is a plus.
• Experience middle school and/or Design in an inquiry-based, project-based, or IB setting preferred.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and school leadership.
• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment where all students feel seen, valued, empowered, and encouraged.

Salary / Benefits

• Salary range: $54,500 - 80,000 for 100% FTE. *Please note that this position will be 50% FTE. (This salary range presents teaching experience ranging from 0-30 years.)

Application

Please send/email cover letter, resumé, statement of educational philosophy, and any supporting materials to , Attn: Libbi Peterson, Middle School Design Teacher. The priority application deadline for this position is April 25, 2025, but continuous until filled. The expected start date for this position is July 30, 2025.

Mackintosh Academy - Boulder is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices because of race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial and marital status, age, socio-economic status or disability. Mackintosh Academy - Boulder is committed to fostering justice, equity, diversity and inclusion among our employees, school community and beyond. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace that promotes a sense of belonging for all. We encourage you to read the school’s BeJEDI Commitment Statement at https://mackboulder.com/bejedi-commitment-statement/.

For more information about Mackintosh Academy, visit http://mackboulder.com.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $27,250.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Commute:

• Boulder, CO 80303 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Boulder, CO 80303: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $27,250 - $40,000